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Falcon Heights, MN – Blaze Credit Union has continued its longstanding commitment to support the educational aspirations of students in the communities it serves by awarding $100,000 in scholarships to 40 deserving individuals. The Blaze Credit Union Foundation Board selected the 2025 scholarship recipients based on academic performance, community involvement, volunteering, school activities, need, and other accomplishments, with consideration for first-generation college students. The applicants were also required to submit an essay answering the question: “Who, or what experience, has had the greatest impact on how you make money decisions? Explain why.” The 2025 scholarship recipients are: Ayub Abdi: Edina HS Lyndsey McKusick: Liberty University Isaac Aguilar Romano: Creative Arts Secondary Grace Mehr: Cathedral HS Diamond (Raven) Allen-Lovejoy: Cloquet Senior HS Rahma Mohammed: Johnson Senior HS Ellery Blacker: Owatonna HS Brooklyn Orazen: Onamia HS Cowen Cremers: Pillager HS Chris Palma: Highland Park Senior HS Cecelia Davis: Como Park Senior HS Lar Say Paw: Highland Park Senior HS Mason Dehn: Princeton HS John Polson IV: Bloomington Jefferson HS Liam Dufner: Princeton HS Timiya Reese: Texas Southern University Carol Flores: Apollo HS Ericka Reil: University of Minnesota Twin Cities Stephen Fowler: State College Area HS Arissa Rydberg: Bethel University Shayan Hasouri: Early College HS Khanlena Sao: Shakopee HS Lisa Her: Hmong College Prep Academy Erica Schuler: Metropolitan State University Zachary Hudella: University of Wisconsin River Falls Maggie Sevre: Home Schooled Solomon Kardell: Legacy Christian Academy Tanner Smith: Owatonna HS Norah Kath: Owatonna HS Domenick Starr: Milaca Public Schools Katelyn Kinkel: Nashwauk HS Amani Tanner: Park Center HS Sarah Landeros-Reyes: Early College HS Mason Vogel: Shakopee HS Liya Lantyderu: Highland Park Senior HS Mai Ger Vue: Concordia University Saint Paul Evelyn Lee: St. Catherine University Lylla Wraa: Princeton HS Yinglai Lee: Stillwater Area Senior HS Haylee Yang: Harding HS “The Blaze Credit Union Foundation is proud to provide financial resources to our next generation of leaders. Education is one of the pillars of the Foundation and the scholarship program is part of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve,” said Christine Cordell, Blaze Credit Union’s Chief Project/Learning Officer, and Chair of the Blaze Credit Union Foundation. “By investing in the success of these students today, we are helping to build stronger communities for everyone in the future.” The Blaze Foundation Scholarship Program addresses the needs of three major groups: Blaze Credit Union High School Branches Needs-Based Scholarships Blaze Member Scholarships Traditional – A 2025 high school graduate Non-Traditional - A student who is either continuing or returning to higher-education endeavors but is not a 2025 high school graduate The scholarships were awarded at the end of the school year during each school’s awards ceremony. Blaze Credit Union Foundation Board members or Blaze representatives presented each recipient with a certificate to commemorate their achievement. To be eligible for a Blaze Scholarship, applicants needed to be a current student at a Minnesota high school (graduating in 2025), or a student who is either continuing or returning to higher education endeavors. All applicants must be enrolled, accepted, or planning to attend a post-secondary, accredited school during the 2025-2026 school year. Since its inception in 2017, the Blaze Credit Union Foundation has donated over $260,000 in scholarships to those in the community wishing to continue their education. ABOUT BLAZE CREDIT UNION Blaze Credit Union is a full-service financial institution, with Minnesota roots dating back to 1931. Blaze serves nearly 250,000 members, registers over $4.5B in assets, and has 28 branch locations. Blaze is here to help members “Go for it” by providing financial guidance and encouragement along life’s journeys. Driven by Midwestern values like community, integrity, and plain old hard work, Blaze is committed to providing smart financial products, great rates, and top-tier service as it lives its mission of bettering lives. For more information, please visit blazecu.com.
Falcon Heights, MN – Blaze Credit Union has continued its longstanding commitment to support the educational aspirations of students in the communities it serves by awarding $100,000 in scholarships to 40 deserving individuals.
The Blaze Credit Union Foundation Board selected the 2025 scholarship recipients based on academic performance, community involvement, volunteering, school activities, need, and other accomplishments, with consideration for first-generation college students. The applicants were also required to submit an essay answering the question: “Who, or what experience, has had the greatest impact on how you make money decisions? Explain why.”
“The Blaze Credit Union Foundation is proud to provide financial resources to our next generation of leaders. Education is one of the pillars of the Foundation and the scholarship program is part of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve,” said Christine Cordell, Blaze Credit Union’s Chief Project/Learning Officer, and Chair of the Blaze Credit Union Foundation. “By investing in the success of these students today, we are helping to build stronger communities for everyone in the future.”
The Blaze Foundation Scholarship Program addresses the needs of three major groups:
The scholarships were awarded at the end of the school year during each school’s awards ceremony. Blaze Credit Union Foundation Board members or Blaze representatives presented each recipient with a certificate to commemorate their achievement.
To be eligible for a Blaze Scholarship, applicants needed to be a current student at a Minnesota high school (graduating in 2025), or a student who is either continuing or returning to higher education endeavors. All applicants must be enrolled, accepted, or planning to attend a post-secondary, accredited school during the 2025-2026 school year.
Since its inception in 2017, the Blaze Credit Union Foundation has donated over $260,000 in scholarships to those in the community wishing to continue their education.
ABOUT BLAZE CREDIT UNION
Blaze Credit Union is a full-service financial institution, with Minnesota roots dating back to 1931. Blaze serves nearly 250,000 members, registers over $4.5B in assets, and has 28 branch locations. Blaze is here to help members “Go for it” by providing financial guidance and encouragement along life’s journeys. Driven by Midwestern values like community, integrity, and plain old hard work, Blaze is committed to providing smart financial products, great rates, and top-tier service as it lives its mission of bettering lives. For more information, please visit blazecu.com.