2025 Scholarship and Professional Development Award Winners
9/18/2025
Educational Systems Federal Credit Union announced the recipients of the Support Education Foundation’s 2025 scholarships and professional development awards. In total, $142,000 was awarded to 39 students and 20 educators to advance their educational goals and professional growth. The Support Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established by the Credit Union in 2017.“Recognizing these scholars and educators underscores a longstanding commitment to supporting the education community,” said Girado Smith, President/CEO of Educational Systems FCU. “By investing in opportunity—through scholarships, classroom resources and professional development—the Credit Union and the Support Education Foundation help learners and educators move forward with confidence.”
“Congratulations to this year’s Support Education Foundation scholarship and award recipients,” said Kristy Mathey, Board Chair of the Foundation. “With the rising costs of education and professional development, the need for meaningful support has never been greater. These scholarships and awards reflect our unwavering commitment to empowering students and educators by investing in their future. Supporting educational and professional growth within our communities remains at the heart of our mission, and we are proud to celebrate the achievements of those making a difference.”
Among the recipients was Alyssa Bradley, a senior at Colonel Richardson High School and winner of a Dorothy Marvil Scholarship. “As a first-generation college student figuring out how to pay for school can be overwhelming," said Bradley. "The scholarship has helped me grow and better myself and in the future I’d like to do the same to help students work toward their dreams.”
The 2025 scholarship and professional development award recipients are included below.
Eva Chesley Scholarships:
A total of $10,000 was awarded to two college sophomores pursuing degrees in education:
- Anna Berube, Salisbury University
- Lalah Pabon-Bryant, Coppin State University
- Zaire Bond, Bowie State University
- Camryn Slawson, Salisbury University
Vocational School Scholarship:
A total of $3,000 was awarded to one graduating high school senior attending a vocational school in Maryland.
- Victoria Scarborough, Chopticon High School
Rosemary Brinkley Business and Finance Scholarships:
A total of $39,000 was awarded to 13 graduating high school seniors who completed the business and finance curriculum.
- Aden Witmer, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
- Caitlyn Major, Old Mill High School
- Caleb Miley, Walkersville High School
- Donovan Dais, The Potomac School
- Ethan Shaw, Marriotts Ridge High School
- Henry Acquah, Northern High School
- Kaden Andrews, North Dorchester High School
- Kayden Webb, Easton High School
- Khazina Jawad, Colonel Richardson High School
- Samuel Quintanilla, Wheaton High School
- Trinity Watford, Westlake High School
- Yan Bin Chen, Chopticon High School
- Zhiere Ogaldes, Charles Herbert Flowers High School
Dorothy Marvil Scholarships:
A total of $42,000 was awarded to 14 college-bound high school seniors.
- Alyssa Bradley, Colonel Richardson High School
- Avery Boesch, St. John's College High School
- Hayden Plutschak, Easton High School
- James Obasiolu, Atholton High School
- Kaley VanDyke, North Dorchester High School
- Kamryn Nero, Charles H. Flowers High School
- Kelsey Garrity, North Point High School
- Laila Umrani-Sanders, Huntingtown High School
- Lilly St. Clair, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
- Niharika Wadehra, Watkins Mill High School
- Roselyn Arias, Middletown High School
- Sanai Howard, North County High School
- Taylor Howell, Chopticon High School
Community College Scholarships:
A total of $21,000 was awarded to seven students to help complete their community college degree.
- Ava Champney, Carroll Community College
- Emmanuel Mbala, Howard Community College
- Erica Nakalembe, College of Southern Maryland
- Gabriella Riggin, Delaware Technical Community College
- Jahidul Hasan, Prince George's Community College
- Meghan Pelkey, Frederick Community College
- Misale Endrias, Montgomery College
Maurice Erly Professional Development Awards:
A total of $20,000 was awarded to 20 educators to continue their professional development.
K-12 Educators
- Christine Halloran, Great Mills High School
- Hina Naseem, Applications and Research Laboratory
- Jennifer Merrill, Centerville Elementary School
- Jessica Reynolds, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
- Lara Mish, Annapolis High School
- LeShone HoSang Navies, Westlake High School
- Mary Silva, Dorchester County Schools
- Milena Smith, St. Michaels Elementary
- Mirta Valdés-Bradner, North Caroline High School
- Nikki Phillips, Calvert County Public Schools
- Sheri Massey, Montgomery Blair High School
- Sidnitra Bates, Judith P Hoyer Montessori
Community College Educators
- Alyssa Tichinel, Garrett College
- Anjenee Cannon, Montgomery College
- Betsy Quathamer, Chesapeake College
- Char Rogers Nado, Howard Community College Educational Foundation
- Diante Keita, College of Southern Maryland
- Kaley Tucker, University of the Cumberlands
- Kayla Saunders, Prince George’s Community College
- Michael Thornton, Frederick Community College
For detailed information on each scholarship and professional development award, visit SupportEducation.org.