WINDSOR – Members of the State Employees Credit Union (SECU), through the member-funded SECU Foundation, have provided two $1,250 scholarships to Martin Community College students Miranda Meldyk and Kong “Kevin” Pham.
Each recipient will also be eligible for up to three additional semesters of tuition assistance for a total of $5,000.
They were selected from among seven applicants by a panel. Because of COVID-19, SECU representatives have postponed the award of scholarships to Martin Community College President Wesley Bedard.
Meldick, who is based in Windsor, joined Martin Community College’s Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) program after graduating from Bertie Early College High School and Martin Community College in May.
Her early college program allowed her to earn a tuition-free college degree in science and a high school diploma simultaneously.
Although Meldyk is only 18 years old, her multiple credentials made her a strong candidate for the highly competitive PTA program at Martin Community College.
“After I graduate, I plan to stay in North Carolina and work as a physical therapy assistant. This scholarship means a lot to me because it makes me want to work harder to graduate,” Meldyk said.
Pham, a resident of Greenville and the son of Vietnamese immigrants, was born in California, and moved with his mother to North Carolina when he was a young child.
He eventually joined the United States Marine Corps and served this country honorably for eight years. Upon leaving the army, Pham searched for a career in which he could help veterans.
After considering several options, he felt a strong connection to the parent-teacher education program at Martin Community College.
Pham feels that the SECU scholarship will motivate him to work harder and complete the program successfully.
“It was a great honor to receive the scholarship,” he said.
When Pham completes the PTA program, he plans to look for work at a veterans hospital or clinic in eastern North Carolina.
Based on the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People,” these scholarships recognize the recipient’s desire to earn a college degree and change their lives and the lives of others for the better.
Scholarship funds will be applied to tuition fees and other expenses associated with a community college education.
“My fellow SECU members and I are dedicated to helping North Carolina students succeed in their pursuit of higher education. The SECU Foundation’s People Helping People Scholarship Program provides us with the opportunity to provide resources to many deserving individuals to achieve their educational goals through our state’s excellent Community College System Judy Janet, SECU Local Advisory Board Member said I am very pleased to be awarded these scholarships to Miranda and Kevin.
The NC SECU Foundation has established the People Helping People Scholarship Program to assist students attending North Carolina community colleges and universities in achieving their educational goals.
Since its inception in 2005, the People Helping People scholarship program represents an annual commitment of more than $5 million, with a combined total of more than $76 million.
Annually, SECU members provide two $5,000 scholarships to each of North Carolina’s 56 community colleges.
SECU is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative that has been providing North Carolina employees and their families with consumer financial services for 78 years.
Leslie Beachboard is managing editor of Bertie Ledger-Advance and The Enterprise. She can be reached via email at lbeachboard@ncweeklies.com.
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