Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation Gives $53,000 in Local Scholarships

Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation Recognizes Student Excellence, Giving $53,000 in Local Scholarships

The Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation has awarded a total of $53,000 in scholarships to sixteen student-members representing twelve schools throughout New Hampshire and Maine. These awards recognize students for academic achievement, community involvement, and commitment to personal growth during the 2024–2025 school year.

“Our scholarship committee reviewed over 116 applications from our student-members of the credit union for this year’s program,” shared Dan Raposa, Executive Director for the Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation. “Each of these deserving recipients truly exemplifies our mission to enrich and nourish the lives of others. We are excited to see how they continue to grow and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”

The scholarships support students pursuing accredited programs at technical institutes, two- and four-year colleges and universities, and vocational or trade schools. Each award reflects the Foundation’s mission to invest in the next generation of leaders, professionals, and changemakers within local communities. Featured scholarships and recipients include:

Lighthouse Community Beacon Award – $10,000

Recipient: Austin Gorham – Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH (Class of 2024)

College and Major: Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

In its inaugural year, this flagship award recognizes a student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and making an impact in their community.  Funded through a voluntary employee payroll deduction program, the Lighthouse Community Beacon Scholarship embodies the Foundation’s mission to enrich and nourish the lives of others—a mission wholeheartedly championed by the credit union’s team members. This scholarship is specifically designed for students pursuing careers that directly support the Lighthouse’s core focus areas: housing, food insecurity, and education.

Peter J. Kavalauskas Memorial Scholarship – $5,000

Recipient: Emily Esters – Portsmouth Christian Academy, Dover, NH (Class of 2023)

Future College and Major: Nursing at Gordon College

Awarded to a student attending or planning to attend a 2- or 4-year accredited program, technical institute, vocational, or trade school.

Philip W. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship – $5,000

Recipient: Mackenzie Oprea – Sanborn Regional High School, Kingston, NH

Future College: Simmons University

Given to a high school senior in the top 25% of their class who has demonstrated a strong commitment to extracurricular activities and academic excellence.

Bart M. Dalla Mura and Roger G. Marois Memorial Scholarships – $3,000 each

Recipients:

• Myrick Oxnard – Concord High School, Concord, NH
  • Future College: Tufts University
• Sophia Arroyo – Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, Northwood, NH
  • Future College: Colby Sawyer College

These scholarships honor students with strong academic records and a track record of volunteerism.

Adult Achievement Scholarship – $2,000

Recipient: Amber Row

College: Great Bay Community College

This award recognizes a member returning to school to improve their life, family, and community.

“Nourish” Scholarships – $2,500 each

Recipients:

• Corrine Connelly, St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Dover, NH)
  • Future College: Fairfield University
• John Tobin, Portsmouth High School (Portsmouth, NH)
  • Future College: Dartmouth College
• Kaela Robins, Dover High School (Dover, NH)
  • Future College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Benjamin Tower, Dover High School (Dover, NH)
  • Future College: Wentworth Institute of Technology
• Nathan Bigelow, Dover High School (Dover, NH)
  • Future College: Nazareth University
• Courtney George, Oyster River High School (Durham, NH)
  • Future College: University of Massachusetts – Amherst
• Ryan Whitney, ConVal Regional High School (Peterborough, NH)
  • Future College: Lasell University
• Jack Heysler, Kennett High School (North Conway, NH)
  • Future College: University of Vermont
• Lexana Farr, Bow High School (Bow, NH)
  • Future College: Sienna College
• Izabella Goodrich, Sanford Regional High School (Sanford, ME)
  • Future College: University of Southern Maine

Awarded to ten high school seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to academic success and community involvement.

The Lighthouse Credit Union Foundation invites all eligible student-members to apply for scholarships when the application window re-opens in early 2026.

For more details, visit: www.lighthousecufoundation.org/scholarships.