NEWPORT NEWS, Va., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The BayPort Foundation today announced it has awarded $100,000 in 12 different scholarship types to a total of 36 member students in the surrounding local communities attending a college, university, trade, or vocational school.
Since 1961, BayPort Credit Union has supported member students in funding their educational pursuits. Over that time, it has awarded over $1 million in scholarships. Today, the credit union’s philanthropic arm, the BayPort Foundation, continues its mission to enrich members’ lives by providing tuition assistance. Scholarship applications are scored on financial need, academic achievements, school and community involvement, and a written essay. In addition, students must be pursuing a degree or certification at an accredited college, university, trade, or vocational school.
This year, the BayPort Foundation introduced two new scholarships: the Julie Heldreth Memorial Scholarship and the Wright Family Scholarship. Both scholarships are family gifts to the BayPort Foundation Legacy Giving Program, which honors those who share BayPort’s commitment and philanthropic efforts.
BayPort has partnered with WAVY-TV NBC and WVBT-FOX43 to honor its 2025 scholarship recipients as part of the BayPort Foundation Scholarship Salute recognition program. The Scholarship Salute will air daily between June 23 and July 27. For more information and to view the entire voluntary series beginning on June 23, please visit BayPort’s YouTube channel.
The BayPort Foundation 2025 scholarship recipients are as follows:
Beard-Bennett Memorial ScholarshipAbel Lynerd, Warwick High SchoolAdriana DeGuzman, Tallwood High SchoolAmeerah Newby, Heritage High SchoolAshlyn Martel, Hickory High SchoolCharles Moore, III, Phoebus High SchoolOlivia Jackson, Isle of Wight Academy
Burton P. Hill ScholarshipGrace Handle, Emory & Henry University
Directors ScholarshipAshton Collins, James Madison UniversityBreanna Patierno, Pennsylvania State UniversityCarson Cunningham, Virginia TechChristopher Freshwater, American UniversityJourdan Johnson, Regent UniversityMakenna Gruchow, Liberty UniversityPanisha Johnson, Old Dominion University
Donald I. Steppe Memorial ScholarshipChristian Diggs, Virginia Peninsula Community College
George R. Dudley, Jr. ScholarshipNatalee Harris, Kecoughtan High School
Julie Heldreth Memorial ScholarshipCameron Cheek, Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeMalakye Brown, Virginia Peninsula Community College
McGee Family ScholarshipAllison King, Virginia Peninsula Community College
Rowe Family ScholarshipKatie Dodson, Old Dominion University
Student-Run Credit Union Member ScholarshipAlexander Gabbert, Summit Christian AcademyJoshua Ray, Heritage High SchoolMikayla Parker, King’s Fork High SchoolSarah Campbell, Texas Christian UniversityShelby Moore, Poquoson High SchoolWillard Davenport, III, Kecoughtan High School
Tuition Booster ScholarshipAaron Thompson, Old Dominion UniversityChanel White, Norfolk State UniversityJenae Tynes, Liberty UniversityLauren Wasilausky, ECPI UniversityLori Allen, Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeNathalia Matthews, Virginia Peninsula Community College
Wiatt Memorial Apprentice School ScholarshipIsaiah Washington, TBDMelissa Westphal, Saint Leo University
Wright Family Apprentice School ScholarshipJohnathan Walker, Old Dominion UniversityPeter Cortapasso, Old Dominion University
About BayPortBayPort Foundation is the charitable arm of BayPort Credit Union, headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, and was established to extend the credit union’s philosophy of “people helping people.” The Foundation is an extension of the credit union’s charitable giving. BayPort Credit Union commits more than half a million dollars in annual corporate donations and pays all the Foundation’s overhead to ensure that 100% of the Foundation donations support its mission. For more information, visit bayportfoundation.org.
SOURCE BayPort Credit Union