Three Oregon Students Win $10,500 in SELCO Scholarships

Ryan Quinn from Prineville, Luis Castro Hernandez from Bend, and Tavia Zepnewski from Bend are celebrating a big win for their educational futures. Each student received a $3,500 scholarship from SELCO Community Credit Union to help pay for college this fall.

The scholarships come at a crucial time when rising costs remain the biggest barrier keeping students from pursuing higher education. SELCO awarded $77,500 total to 21 Oregon students this year, recognizing their determination to keep learning despite financial challenges.

Quinn will attend the University of Oregon, while Castro Hernandez heads to OSU-Cascades and Zepnewski to the University of New Mexico. All three competed against a deep pool of applicants who needed to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and be SELCO members or immediate family members.

The program has expanded beyond just traditional college-bound high school seniors. SELCO now supports vocational students, continuing education learners, and nontraditional students pursuing any accredited path that fits their goals.

"Today's students are pursuing a wide range of paths, and our scholarship program is designed to meet them where they are," said Olivia Sorensen, SELCO's Community Development Supervisor. The credit union honored all recipients at a luncheon last week at their Springfield headquarters.

The Ripple Effect

Since launching in 1991, SELCO's scholarship program has become a cornerstone of helping members reach their financial and educational goals. In just the past three years, the credit union has awarded more than $230,000 to students taking their next educational step.

The funds work harder than typical scholarships because students can use them for any educational expense. That flexibility means the money addresses real needs, from tuition and books to housing and technology.

One recipient, Eugene's Peyton Caldwell, received the special $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship for demonstrating excellence despite facing adversity. The award proves that obstacles don't have to define outcomes when communities invest in their young people.

These three Central Oregon students join a growing network of SELCO scholarship recipients building their futures with community support behind them.