Tri-Town FCU Scholarships
Beginning in 2002, Tri-Town has granted scholarships to credit union members or their relatives. Our scholarships are co-Sponsored by M & M Group Benefits, a provider of Group Auto and Homeowner’s insurance to our members. Each year the Scholarship Committee reviews all applications carefully. All reviews are done “blind”, that is all identifying information is removed before the committee receives the files. Applications are available beginning each January 1st and must be returned by March 31st. The scholarship recipients are announced at the Annual Meeting in Late April or early May.
Our scholarships are named after three individuals who have had a lasting impact on the credit union.
Phyllis and Jay Van Zandt ran the credit union from their home from its infancy in 1955 until Phyllis’s retirement in 1977; Jay Van Zandt remained involved as a member of the Board of Directors and as a consultant until his passing in 1993.
Constance K. Dion was a fifteen year employee of Tri-Town, starting as a part-time member service representative and growing with the credit union, rising to the position of Operations Specialist. Connie was a fixture in the office until her untimely passing in 1996.
In 2008, a third scholarship was added in memory of long time Board President Donald Miklus. Don’s thorough understanding of the financial statements was invaluable to the Board and Management for the fourteen years he served. His sudden passing in early 2008 left a void that cannot be filled.
2007 Scholarships
Applications for the 2007 scholarships are now available. You may pick one up at the office or download a copy from the link below.
2008 Recipients
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Natasha Kokoszka is the daughter of a credit union member. A senior at Newtown High School, she has an impressive list of extra curricular activities both in school and in the community at large. She plans to attend Bentley College this fall to study Business. |
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Willow Ritch is the Granddaughter of a credit union member and a member of the credit union in her own right. A graduate of Bethel High School, she has been accepted into Western CT State University’s School of Nursing for this fall. Willow has other connections to Tri-Town as she is the niece of a credit union employee and her sister is a prior scholarship recipient. |
| Photo not available | Colby Mello is a senior at Staples High School and the daughter of a credit union member. Throughout her high school years she has been active in both academic and athletic curricular activities. She has been accepted at Dickinson College to study International Business. |
2007 Recipients
 | Marianne F. Jarboe is the daughter of a credit union member and a member of the credit union herself. A senior a Wilton High School she plans on studying nursing at college in the fall. (Her older brother Daniel was a 2005 Tri-Town Scholarship recipient.) |
 | Velvet Ritch is the niece of a credit union employee as well as a credit union member herself. She is a graduate of Bethel High School and will be entering her junior year at Western Connecticut State University this fall majoring in Biology. Her ultimate goal is to work with animals as a Veterinarian. Velvet is a prior scholarship recipient, having received a scholarship from us in 2004. |
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Sarah Pritchard is the daughter of a Westport Police Officer and a graduate of Fairfield Ludlow High School. She will be entering her sophomore year at Rhode Island University studying Early Childhood and Human Development and Family studies. Sarah, too, is a prior recipient having received one of our scholarships in 2006. |
2006 Recipient
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Sarah Pritchard is the daughter of a Westport Police Officer. She has won many awards and recognitions while attending Fairfield Ludlow High School. This fall she will be attending Rhode Island University to study Elementary Education. Congratulations and the best of luck! |
2005 Recipients
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Lauren Dovo is the daughter of a member and a senior at Weston High School. Active in both school and community activities she plans to attend Emory University and major in Communications and Public Relations. |
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Daniel Jarboe is the son of a member and a senior at Wilton High School. Active in both academics and sports he plans to study math, physics and education at Boston College. |
2004 Recipients
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Velvet Ritch, a resident of Bethel, is the niece of a Credit Union employee. Velvet has been accepted at Western Connecticut State University where she will be studying biology as a step to accomplish her dream of becoming a Veterinarian. |
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Marissa Miraval, a resident of Fairfield, is the granddaughter of a Westport Town Employee. Accepted at six schools, Marissa will be attending Villanova to study Environmental Sciences |
2003 Recipients
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Natalie Vena is the daughter of a Westport police officer. While she has not decided what her course of study will be as of yet, her application and recommendation letters tell us that she will work hard to succeed at whatever course of study she decides to pursue |
| Photo not available | Brett Jones is another young individual who came to us highly recommended. Not only is he at the top of his class in school, he has a long list of volunteer activities that would be impressive for someone twice his age. There is little doubt that he will succeed in his future endeavors |
2002 Recipients
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James H Baker III is the son of a Westport police officer and a graduate of Fairfield High School. He will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute this fall to possibly study biology. He has a high interest in athletics and will be playing basketball at Rensselaer |
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Alex Palatiello is the Grandson of a retired Westport school employee and a graduate of Trumbull High School. He will be attending Bethany College in West Virginia majoring in economics. He too has a high interest in athletics and will be swimming at the college. |
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