BrightBridge Credit Union Awards $26,500 in Scholarships to 18 Local Students

BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) awarded $26,500 in scholarships to 18 exceptional students during its annual scholarship awards ceremony, recognizing their academic achievements, leadership and dedication to their communities.

BrightBridge’s scholarship program supports students across its field of membership as they pursue higher education. This year, the credit union received more than 700 applications from students representing 350 high schools, making it one of the most competitive applicant pools in the program’s history.

Applications were carefully reviewed by BrightBridge’s Scholarship Committee, which evaluated each student’s academic performance, extracurricular involvement and a personal essay reflecting on an event, experience or individual who shaped who they are today. Through their submissions, students demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting their peers and making a positive impact in their communities.

“Our Scholarship Committee was so inspired by the dedication these students have shown to their education and their communities,” said Olivia Pink, scholarship coordinator and marketing specialist at BrightBridge. “This was one of the most exceptional and competitive groups of applicants we have ever reviewed, making the selection process especially challenging. Every student who applied for our scholarship should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished throughout their high school journey. Their achievements and commitment to making a difference are remarkable, and each of them has a bright future ahead!”

Two of the scholarships presented each year pay tribute to individuals who made lasting contributions to the BrightBridge communities. The Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award, in the amount of $2,500, recognizes a student who is committed to helping others through volunteerism. The award honors the legacy of a longtime BrightBridge collections manager whose dedication to serving others left a meaningful impact before her passing in 2021.

The James A. Burley, Jr. Scholarship, originally established in 2007 by RTN Federal Credit Union, commemorates the legacy of a devoted board leader who served the organization for 39 years, including 33 years as board chair. This scholarship is awarded annually to three graduating seniors who exemplify strong academic performance and leadership potential, with awards of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000.

Here are the 2026 BrightBridge Scholarship Recipients:

James A. Burley Jr. Scholarship

• Sanya Nadeem, a Montrose High School graduate who will study political science at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Owen Balsis, a graduate of Bromfield School who will be a pre-med student at Brown University this fall.
• Kiley Candon, a Windham High School graduate who plans to study civil engineering.

Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award

• Ashanti Vargas, a Lawrence High School graduate who will study neuroscience at Swarthmore College.

BrightBridge Credit Union Scholarships

• Grigorii Abramian, a graduate of Dover Sherborn High School who will study biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Maya Aminova, a Taunton High School graduate who will study math and public health at Yale University.
• Dylan Andreola, a Hopkinton High School graduate who will study nursing at Georgetown University.
• Thalia Bazile, a graduate of Blue Hills Regional Technical High School who will study public policy at Claremont McKenna College.
• Braley Boucher, a graduate of Fairhaven High School who will study medical engineering at Western New England University.
• Mia Crizer, a graduate of Wachusett Regional High School who will pursue mental health counseling at Liberty University in the fall.
• Julia Davis, a graduate of Bishop Fenwick High School who will study neuroscience at Boston College.
• Luz del Alba Diaz, a graduate of Abbott Lawrence Academy who will study mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University.
• Kelsey Ikonen, a graduate of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School who will study exercise science at the University of Connecticut.
• Dylan Keenan, a Taunton high school graduate who will study psychology at Tufts University.
• Caden Olsen, a Hopedale Jr. Sr. High School graduate who will study management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Ava Przygoda, a Barnstable High School graduate who will study bioengineering and behavioral neuroscience at Northeastern University.
• Arya Sheth, a graduate of the Advanced Math & Science Academy who will study chemical and biomolecular engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
• Harrison Zheng, a Fairhaven High School graduate who will study computer science and economics at Harvard University.

BrightBridge’s scholarship program reflects its ongoing commitment to education and investing in the next generation. To learn more about BrightBridge and its community initiatives, visit www.brightbridge.com/news.