For more than a decade, American Airlines Federal Credit Union has been proud to invest in the futures of its young member-owners by providing scholarship awards toward higher education. This year, out of more than 500 initial applicants, the Credit Union was pleased to award a total of 11 scholarships. Six high school students and five college students each received a $4,000 scholarship.

Our scholarship recipients for the last two years have certainly faced with more than their share of additional challenges navigating a world still in the grips of an ongoing pandemic,” said Lori Hall, Senior Vice President of Member Experience at American Airlines Credit Union. “We wish that we could present our winners with these honors in person, but we’ve been delighted that our virtual presentations have allowed almost every recipient to participate. We’re also confident that their perseverance throughout these difficult times means they’re destined for great things in the future.”

High School Recipients

Bianca Carufel – Seattle, Washington

Attending: University of Washington
Studying: Business & Marketing

Nandika Chirala – Frisco, Texas

Attending: Vanderbilt University
Studying: Economics

Abigail Gordon – Hainesville, Florida

Attending: Cornell University
Studying: Actuarial Science & Psychology

Riley Hamilton – Sedalia, Colorado

Attending: University of Oklahoma
Studying: Engineering

Rishi Niranjan – Allen, Texas

Attending: University of Texas at Austin
Studying: Business, Finance & Computer Science

Justin Folks – Pembroke Pines, Florida

Attending: Harvard University
Studying: Economics & Government

College Recipients

Abigail DeHart – Euless, Texas

Attending: University of Oklahoma
Studying: Communication

Kasra Lekan – Irvine, California

Attending: University of Virginia
Studying: Computer Science & Economics

Rachel Mannon – Plano, Texas

Attending: Southern Methodist University
Studying: Electrical Engineering with a Biomedical Specialization and German

Nathaniel Thompson – Chandler, Arizona

Attending: College at Arizona State University
Studying: Supply Chain Management 

Jamie Gallagher – Spicewood, Texas

Attending: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Studying: Aeronautical Science

Scholarship Awards Online Celebration

While traditionally recipients could collect their checks in person from Credit Union President & CEO Gail Enda at our annual shareholders meeting, for the second year, the winners participated in a special online group video conference call with Gail; Lori Hall, Senior Vice President Member Experience; and Kimberly McDaniel, Acting Vice President Marketing and Business Development.

All of our winners got the opportunity to chat with and ask questions of Gail and Lori. Both gave insights into getting started on the path to saving for retirement while sharing some of the lessons they have learned while serving as Credit Union leaders  . While we wish we could meet our winners in person, being online gave us a chance to “meet” even more of our amazing group of winners from all over the country