By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Wheelhouse Credit Union is helping five local students take the next step in their education with $1,000 Badge of Honor Scholarships, recognizing the service and dedication of San Diego County first responders and their families.
Now in its seventh year, the Badge of Honor program supports college-bound students whose parents, grandparents or legal guardians actively serves in law enforcement, fire protection, healthcare or emergency medical services in San Diego County.
Receiving the Badge of Honor Scholarships were:
Nadia Gibbs, a graduate of El Camino High School in Oceanside, will attend San Diego State University.
Lila Hand, a graduate of Carlsbad High School, will attend Mira Costa College.
Sydney Harris, a graduate of Poway High School, will attend Creighton University.
Kyra Imperial, a graduate of Chula Vista High School, will attend San Diego State University.
Avery Wahl, a graduate of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, will attend the University of Mississippi.
“Every year, we’re reminded of the sacrifices first responder families make, often quietly and behind the scenes,” said Wheelhouse President and CEO Lisa Paul-Hill. “This year’s recipients have grown up watching a parent or grandparent answer the call, and it shows in who they’ve become — driven, grounded and ready to make their own mark. Helping send them off to college is one of the most rewarding things we get to do as a credit union, and it’s our way of saying thank you to the families who give so much to keep San Diego safe.”
Each recipient recently graduated from a San Diego County high school and plans to attend an accredited college. Students were selected based on academic achievement, letters of recommendation, an essay describing the influence of the first responder in their family, and their commitment to making a positive impact at school and in the community.
The Badge of Honor Scholarships complement Wheelhouse’s annual Sustainability College Scholarship Program, established in 2005 to support graduating high school seniors in San Diego County. Together, the programs reflect the Credit Union’s longstanding commitment to helping local students pursue higher education. Since the programs began, Wheelhouse has awarded $147,000 in scholarships to San Diego County students.
