Northern Credit Union recently awarded 26 students, including none to students from St. Lawrence County, the Michelle D. Salisbury Memorial Scholarship as part of a partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The scholarship is in memory of Michelle Salisbury, a beloved Northern team member who died in a car accident in 2009. It recognizes college- or technical school-bound applicants based on academic achievements, extracurricular and community activities, and the quality of their written essay.

With the cost of higher education on the rise, many students look to scholarships to supplement funds to attend college, including unavoidable expenses like books, commuting costs, and dorm supplies that traditional scholarships and aid don’t always cover.

“Education is so important. - it’s an investment in your future and allows students to grow and develop important skills in leadership, critical thinking, and technical expertise, opening the door opportunity on potential career paths,” said Dan St. Hilaire, President and CEO of Northern Credit Union. “It’s an honor to provide scholarships to these bright, aspiring students, and we wish them well on the next leg of their journey to further their education.”

Each winner received an invitation to their local Northern Credit Union Relationship Center for a formal presentation where they received a copy of The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni, which was the basis of the essay component for the scholarship and a reflection of the type of team member Michelle was.

Winners from St. Lawrence County schools are:

• Chantel McCarthy, St. Lawrence Central

• Chloe Tiernan, Madrid Waddington

• Kelly Bloom, Parishville Hopkinton

• Mackenzie Spicer, Ogdensburg Free Academy

• Madeleine Rathbun, Hammond

• Meaghan Pierce, Heuvelton

• Morgan Trego, Massena

• Sydney Daniels, Norwood Norfolk

• Cynthia Snyder, Lisbon

For more information about the scholarship program, visit the Northern New York Community Foundation website, nnycf.org/scholarship.