Delta Community Credit Union, a non-profit financial services institution and anchor in the communities it serves, recognizes three exceptional students who have set high standards for youth through community involvement and entrepreneurial spirit. The winners of the Hometown Heroes scholarships are Jared Ciervo and Conner Cress of Harrison High School in Kennesaw, and Shannon Roche of Whitewater High School in Fayetteville.

After receiving applications and short essays from students throughout the Metro Atlanta area, Delta Community narrowed the competition down to 10 outstanding youth role models. From May 19 through May 30, the Metro Atlanta community was invited to vote for their favorite youth at the Delta Community website. The three winners, who were selected for their admirable and noteworthy contributions to their communities, each received a $1,000 scholarship for themselves as well as a $1,000 for their school.

In partnership with the Georgia Force Arena Football Team, the winners were awarded and each of the 10 finalists was recognized at halftime during the Georgia Force game on June 14. In addition to the prizes awarded to the three winners, the remaining seven finalists each received $500 for themselves and $500 for their school from Delta Community Credit Union.

“We are very proud of our three winners as well as all of the finalists,” explains Mary T. Olson, vice president, marketing, Delta Community Credit Union. “The outpouring of local support for these exceptional young men and women demonstrates that their actions in the community have touched many lives. We commend them on their efforts and know that each of them has a very bright future ahead of them.”

The chosen winners all exhibit a spirit of creativity, purpose and responsibility. While two of them are partners in a charity providing clean drinking water in Africa, the other travels through her community collecting food for those in need as well as coordinating events for the Special Olympics.

Shannon Roche attends Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Ga. She is active with the Fayette Samaritans and St. Vincent De Paul food pantries, where she helps collect food for those in need. She is a mentor at Sara Harp Elementary School and is a Peer Assisted Learning Support event coordinator where she plans events and assists with the Special Olympics. Roche also went on a mission trip to Mexico where she was a skit and spirit leader.

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