LANSING, Mich. — Starting Feb. 1, 2025, LAFCU will accept applications for its annual Write to Educate Essay Contest. This initiative will award $20,000 in scholarships to four Michigan high school seniors, with each winner receiving $5,000 toward college.
Additionally, LAFCU will donate $500 to a charity selected by each winner, contributing an additional $2,000 to local communities. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025.
The contest is open to all Michigan high school seniors, with no restrictions based on GPA, financial need, or LAFCU membership. Participants are required to submit a 500-word essay addressing a designated topic. Essays must be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, single-spaced, and formatted with one-inch margins. To qualify, submissions must follow the guidelines precisely, staying within one page with a minimum of 500 words.
“The Write to Educate Essay Contest is an incredible opportunity for students to express their individuality and reflect on the unique experiences that have shaped them,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU’s chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer, left). “At LAFCU, we are deeply committed to fostering education because we believe it is the foundation for reaching one’s full potential and building a brighter future. By removing traditional barriers like GPA or financial need, we’re giving students from all backgrounds an inclusive platform to share their voices and pursue their dreams.”
This year’s essay prompt is “If you could create a new course to teach in high schools, what would it be and why would it be beneficial to students?” By sharing their unique stories, participants highlight the diverse experiences that shape and enrich Michigan communities. For full contest details and to submit an entry starting Feb. 1, visit lafcu.com/writetoeducate.
Alyssa Troub, LAFCU’s digital marketing and community engagement specialist, (left), added, “This contest is more than just an essay—it’s a way for students to think critically about their journey and for us to celebrate their perspectives. It’s inspiring to see the positive impact these essays have not only on the winners but also on the charities they choose to support.”
The 2024 winners (left) include Antonio Rojas (East Lansing High School); Elvis Vue (Waverly High School); Thomas Hays (Napoleon High School); and Vivian Hansen (Pinckney High School). Their selection was based on a one-page essay that discussed how their hometowns shaped and influenced who they are today. Winning essays will be featured in the Lansing State Journal, the contest’s community sponsor.
About LAFCU
Founded in 1936, LAFCU (pronounced laugh-cue) is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union open to all who live, work, worship or attend school in Michigan, and to Michigan businesses. LAFCU serves more than 74,000 members and holds over $1 billion in assets. With a particular focus on serving people of modest means, LAFCU is committed to enhancing its members’ financial well-being and creating long-lasting positive change across generations. Awarded the prestigious Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award, LAFCU is known for its people-helping-people mission, which has led to award-winning financial literacy programs for all ages. Twice honored as a national ‘Best Credit Union to Work For’ and recognized globally for its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, LAFCU stands out for its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. Learn more at www.lafcu.com.
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