(Left-Right) Savannah Strong from Lincoln High School, Abby Burgess from Susan Moore High School, Jasmine Jones from Thompson High School, Trent Melton from Central High School of Clay County, Jackie Hurst Jr. from Center Point High School, and AmFirst President and CEO Bill Connor.
America’s First Federal Credit Union, alongside partner WBRC Fox 6, have announced the winners of their 14th annual scholarship program Rising Star.
Seniors Jasmine Jones, Thompson High School; Jackie Hurst Jr., Center Point High School; Trent Melton, Central High School of Clay County; Savannah Strong, Lincoln High School; and Abby Burgess, Susan Moore High School, each received a $5,000 scholarship to a university of their choice.
These five seniors were selected out of 30 area students honored from this 2022-2023 school year as part of AmFirst’s Rising Star program. Since 2009, AmFirst has awarded $214,000 in scholarships.
“The five scholarship winners this year are already making a difference in their communities. We are proud to support their futures and look forward to following their postgraduate successes,” said AmFirst President/CEO Bill Connor.
AmFirst launched its Rising Star program in 2009 and partnered with WBRC in 2015 after recognizing a need for additional scholarship opportunities across Central Alabama. Students are first nominated by their high school counselors or principals— with one student selected as a Rising Star each week for 30 weeks. All 30 student finalists then participate in panel interviews judged on Professionalism, Vision, Community Involvement and Overall Impression. The top five combined scores indicate the students who will receive the available $5,000 scholarships.
“WBRC is a wonderful partner, and we thank them for their continuous collaboration in celebrating these deserving students,” added Connor. “We congratulate all of our Rising Stars and wish them the best of luck as they begin this important life chapter.”
