RBFCU’s Youth Ambassadors Program Awards $5,750 in Scholarships to San Antonio-Area Students

LIVE OAK, Texas (May 6, 2020) — More than a dozen local high school and college students are getting a much-needed boost to their education from RBFCU after each of them served on the credit union’s Youth Ambassadors during the 2019-20 school year.

RBFCU is awarding $5,750 in scholarships to this group of 13 students. It’s the 10th year for the scholarship program, which RBFCU established to provide students ages 16-22 with the opportunity to learn how a financial institution operates, participate in community service activities and earn educational scholarships. Youth Ambassadors is led by RBFCU Financial Literacy Specialists Jennifer Crawford and Michelle Herrera.

“So many aspects of life are uncertain since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, and the funding of higher education is one of those,” RBFCU Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Mary O’Rourke said. “RBFCU is totally committed to the importance of the Youth Ambassadors. We know this scholarship money will be put to good use because of what we have seen from this class of participants. They understand the value of a credit union, and they will continue this important financial partnership throughout their lives.”

This school year’s scholarship recipients from the RBFCU Youth Ambassadors are (pictured in December 2019):

• Anakarina Arguello, Marshall High School
• Eyleen Enriquez, Veterans Memorial High School
• Hali Frye, Marshall High School
• Colin Fuller, Smithson Valley High School
• Nazeeha Lalani, Johnson High School
• Chelsea Madrigal, Harlan High School
• Glori Newsome, Memorial Early College High School
• Jada Rainbolt, Canyon Lake High School
• Sebastian Resendiz, Roosevelt High School
• Skylen Shillington, San Antonio College
• Donovan Stockwell, Canyon Lake High School
• Bella Tyler, Smithson Valley High School
• Juliette Zamora, Judson Early College Academy

In addition to their work with the Youth Ambassadors, RBFCU’s Crawford and Herrera spend almost every day conducting workshops and spreading awareness of good money habits to youth and adults. During 2019, RBFCU’s award-winning financial specialists conducted 558 presentations and instructed 10,426 people. The Financial Literacy Team also oversaw the credit union’s effort to expand digital educational platforms on rbfcu.org with dozens of educational videos.

“Jennifer and Michelle work extremely hard and travel anywhere from Corpus Christi to north of the Dallas-Fort Worth area on nearly a daily basis,” O’Rourke said. “They are proven leaders among financial educators in our state and throughout the credit union movement.”

The RBFCU Financial Literacy Team completed the school year by conducting virtual meetings to respect social distancing, which they continue to utilize during sessions with youth and adult learners.

Here’s more about the RBFCU scholarship winners for 2019-2020:

Anakarina Arguello, Marshall High School in San Antonio

Future plans include: Complete basic training and all military duties for the National Guard at Fort Sill, Okla.; major in business and minor in criminal justice at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “I’ve learned how to speak and present a PowerPoint as well as the marketing strategies.”

Eyleen Enriquez, Veterans Memorial High School in San Antonio

Future plans include: Finish senior year at Veterans Memorial and attend college to study business.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “It would have to be money management and all the lessons they taught us about what RBFCU provides. This experience was very helpful for me and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Hali Frye, Marshall High School in San Antonio

Future plans include: Undecided

Colin Fuller, Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch

Future plans include: Undecided

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “I learned a lot about finance and RBFCU. I enjoyed collaborating with people just like me and building many great relationships.”

Nazeeha Lalani, Johnson High School in San Antonio

Future plans include: Undecided

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “I enjoyed working with other students from different schools.”

Chelsea Madrigal, Harlan High School in San Antonio

Future plans include: Attend UTSA on a pre-med track.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “Interview skills. I think that finding talking points and continuing a professional conversation is extremely hard. Overall, the program shaped me for the business world.”

Glori Newsome, Memorial Early College High School in New Braunfels

Future plans include: Undecided

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “I learned life lessons such as precautions to take to avoid having financial accounts hacked, elevator speeches and resumes.”

Jada Rainbolt, Canyon Lake High School in New Braunfels

Future plans include: Basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and then attend UTSA for a finance degree.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “The importance of how you should act and prepare for an interview.”

Sebastian Resendiz, Roosevelt High School in San Antonio

Future plans include: Use this scholarship to complete basic studies while starting a career in real estate development.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “What builds you as a person, whether it’s communication or even just skills to help you better gain the confidence in life. We underestimate ourselves a lot and it was nice to see what type of drive we have if we really put ourselves up to it as a team and as an individual.”

Skylen Shillington, San Antonio College in San Antonio

Future plans include: Moving to the Midwest to pursue an internship in agriculture.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “I enjoyed meeting new people and learning about investing and credit.”

Donovan Stockwell, Canyon Lake High School in New Braunfels

Future plans include: Undecided

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “I loved learning about presentation skills and all of the different ways that little things could change the mood of your presentation.”

Bella Tyler, Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch

Future plans include: Study international marketing and finance at Texas State University.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “To work as a team and see the different aspects that form the money market.”

Juliette Zamora, Judson Early College Academy in Converse

Future plans include: Attend Hawaii Pacific University and major in business administration with a minor in international business.

Most memorable thing during Youth Ambassadors: “To start saving, investing and creating credit as soon as possible in order to save up for future expenses and in case of unexpected emergencies.”

About Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union

Established in 1952, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial cooperative whose mission is to improve members’ economic well-being and quality of life. With assets exceeding $18 billion, RBFCU serves more than 1 million members at 62 branch locations throughout Texas, and online at rbfcu.org and the RBFCU Mobile^® app.

Media Contact

Salvador Guerrero, Vice President-Corporate Communications & Public Relations
sguerrero@rbfcu.org
210-637-4287