Holyoke Credit Union honors local students

Date: 6/11/2009

HOLYOKE The Holyoke Credit Union (HCU) awarded six college scholarships at a recent ceremony for its 2009 scholarship program.

Gerard A. Cantin, first vice chairman of HCU's board of directors presented the scholarships to to Daniel Seidel, Roger John Reidy, III, Andrew Fontaine, Meghan Morton, all of Holyoke; Jennifer Zaharias of Westfield and Kristopher Wilson of Agawam.

The HCU Scholarship Committee increased its scholarships from two to six recipients in 2008 to celebrate the opening of two new branches: 333 Elm St. in West Springfield and 4 Washington Ave. in Agawam. Each recipient will receive $500 for his or her college expenses.

Seidel is the son of Henry and Kathleen Seidel of Holyoke. He will be attending Springfield College in the fall, majoring in sports biology, with the hope of becoming a physician's assistant upon graduation. His many extra-curricular activities include acting as captain of the varsity soccer and winter and spring track teams, team captain for the Rays of Hope Walk for Breast Cancer, and organizing and coaching an indoor soccer team. He currently works on his parents' apple farm and is a clerk at the neighborhood Shell Station.

Reidy is the son of Roger and Margaret Reidy of Holyoke. He plans on attending Springfield College in the fall, majoring in applied exercise science. John holds the office of class marshall and has played varsity football and track for four years. He is currently the team captain for those teams and the varsity swim team. He is the president of the Renaissance Club and acted as the asst. stage manager for the school play. He works at Pazzo's in Springfield.

Fontaine is the son of Karen and Ronald Fontaine of Holyoke. He will be attending Westfield State College (WSC), majoring in computer science. His many activities include varsity football and baseball, stage crew for the high school musical productions, sports editor of the yearbook. He volunteers for the Ricky Babyak Memorial Scholarship Foundation, coaching for both the Mater Dolorosa and Bethesda Lutheran CYO Programs. He is currently employed by the Holyoke Medical Center.

Morton is the daughter of John and Darlene Morton of Holyoke. She will be attending the Wentworth Institute of Technology majoring in civil engineering. Her extracurricular activities include the Holyoke High School Renaissance Club, tutoring at the Homework House, coaching a youth soccer team, and competing in equestrian competitions. Morton also volunteers at Our Lady of Guadalupe and for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. She currently is working at Loomis House.

Zaharias is the daughter of Sandra and Anthony Zaharias of Westfield. She will be attending the University of Maine in the fall, majoring in zoology. She is a member of Westfield High School Drill team, the show choir and a youth group. She also volunteers at the Therapeutic Equestrian Center. Zaharias plans to join the Peace Corps upon graduation from college. She is currently employed at FYE and at her neighborhood Sunoco station.

Wilson is the son of Lynn Cressotti of Agawam. He will be attending WSC, majoring in biology. Wilson has been a member of the wrestling team for three years. His community service activities include building a playground at a summer camp for handicapped children, as well as helping to organize a POW/MIA ceremony. He is currently working at EB's Restaurant.

The members of the HCU Scholarship Committee are Gerard Cantin of Holyoke, Larry Lajoie of Holyoke and Michael Ghazil of Ludlow.