TAMPA, FL August 2022: GTE Financial continues to lead the way in education, awarding scholarships to 24 local Tampa Bay students at the 11th Annual Scholarship Luncheon. Finalists received $2,500 each and celebrated with their families, the Judging Committee, and GTE’s Executive Management team and Board of Directors at TPepins Hospitality Centre.
“This scholarship is all about community and understanding the value of giving back. These students have demonstrated incredible civic duty all while juggling school, family, and jobs,” said Jennifer Maxfield, SVP and Chief Strategy Officer at GTE. “We cannot thank our judging committee enough and the support systems of the students receiving these scholarships.”
The credit union received over 450 applications and selected its finalists based on community engagement, volunteerism, and academic achievements. This year’s recipients had over 4,900 volunteer hours combined.
Student speaker and 2022 scholarship recipient Andrea Gallina completed over 1,000 hours of community service alone. Gallina took a missionary gap year and lived and served in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and stateside. Her volunteerism included disaster relief, manual labor, food distribution, and more.
“Receiving this GTE scholarship will not only allow me to continue furthering my education but also to pursue a career centered on serving others,” commented Gallina. “This scholarship will impact not only me and my family but also the lives of those I can reach in the years to come. Thank you to GTE for investing in me and other students, by allowing us to unlock our full academic potential,” continued Gallina.
Each year, GTE’s scholarship brings together business and community leaders from diverse Tampa Bay industries to support local students. The judging committee includes long-time co-chairs David Pizzo, The President of Blue Cross Shield President, and Rhea Law, the President of USF.
To learn more about the GTE’s Student Scholarship Program, visit https://www.gtefinancial.org/personal/for-students/student-scholarships.
About GTE Financial
GTE Financial is a not-for-profit financial cooperative located throughout West Central Florida with over $2 billion in assets and 23 Community Financial Centers. Chartered in 1935, GTE Financial is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area, serving more than 230,000 individuals and businesses. For more information on GTE Financial, visit www.gtefinancial.org.
For more information, interviews, or media requests, please call (813) 644-7443 or email Savannah Cruz at pr@bkncreative.com.
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