C R E D I T U N I O N N EWS
STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS HONORED AT THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE
Pictured, from left: Kathleen Donohue, president, Tri-County North Chapter; Geoff Plume, vice president and treasurer, Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation; Kaylee Rotondo, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Marsh Grammar School, Tri-County North Chapter; Kaya Small, Everett Credit Union, Lafayette School, Tri-County North Chapter; Isabel McDonald and Aubrey Correiro, both from St, Anne’s Credit Union of Fall River, Mass., Holy Name School, Southern Massachusetts Credit Union Chapter; Vanessa Schirduan, Worcester, Credit Union, St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School, Central Massachusetts Chapter; Sara Morin, Holyoke Credit Union, First Lutheran School, Pioneer Valley Chapter; Manon Nadeau, Holyoke Credit Union, Mater Dolorosa Catholic School, Pioneer Valley Chapter; and Daniel F. Egan, Jr., president, Massachusetts Credit Union League, Inc.
On May 29, the winners of the Massachusetts Credit Union League’s 7th and 8th Grade Student Essay Contest were honored in the Great Hall at the Massachusetts State House. In keeping with the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People,” the Financial Literacy Committee of the Massachusetts Credit Union League asked seventh and eighth grade students to write a 250 or less word essay on the topic, “Please think of an event that impacted your life and describe how that event demonstrates the credit union movement’s ‘People Helping People’ philosophy.” Nearly 1,300 students from across the commonwealth submitted essays to their sponsoring credit unions. Essays were judged on originality, content, neatness, spelling, and grammar. Each credit union chose 20 essays
The winners each received a check for $250 from the sponsoring credit union.The winners were:
• Aubrey Correiro, from Southern Massachusetts Chapter, sponsored by St. Anne’s Credit Union of Fall River, MA • Isabel McDonald, from Southern Massachusetts Chapter, sponsored by St. Anne’s Credit Union of Fall River, MA • Sara Morin, from Pioneer Valley Chapter, sponsored by Holyoke Credit Union, Holyoke, MA • Manon Nadeau, from Pioneer Valley Chapter, sponsored by Holyoke Credit Union, Holyoke, MA 10 | centerpoint | fall.2013
• Kaylee Rotondo, from Tri-County North Chapter, sponsored by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Lowell, MA • Vanessa Schirduan, from Central Mass Chapter, sponsored by Worcester Credit Union, Worcester, MA • Kaya Small, from Tri-County North Chapter, sponsored by Everett Credit Union, Everett, MA
to send to the League. The League’s Financial Literacy Committee and representatives from the League and Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (MSIC), a co-sponsor of the event, determined the grand prize winner and seven runners up. The winners, their families, and representatives from both the schools and the sponsoring credit unions were invited to lunch and an awards ceremony at the Great Hall in the State House. League President Daniel Egan welcomed the students, et al, who then heard from Mitchell D. Chester, commissioner of elementary education and secondary education; David J. Cotney, commissioner of banks; and State Treasurer Steven Grossman. Ceremony attendees were also treated to a guided State House tour. Following the tour, contest winners and their families were able to meet with their local senators and representatives. Students were proud to receive congratulatory citations from Governor Deval Patrick, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Essay contest co-sponsor, Geoff Plume, vice president and treasurer of MSIC, presented the contest winners with certificates of accomplishment from the League and MSIC. The Massachusetts Credit Union League, its Financial Literacy Committee, and MSIC thank all the students, teachers, and parents and guardians who participated in this year’s 7th and 8th Grade Student Essay Contest. •