Communities tend to flourish when its residents’ needs to not only survive, but to thrive, are met. First Independence Bank understands this need and is pleased to continue its financial support of student education to help young people prosper.
For six years, First Independence Bank has partnered with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to provide students with scholarship opportunities for higher education. This year, more than $5,000 has been awarded to essay contest winners in middle school and high school. First Independence Bank renamed its annual competition this year—to the 6th Annual Rhonda Pugh Memorial Essay Contest.
Rhonda Pugh was a longtime First Independence Bank vice president of treasury management for many years prior to her death. Kenneth Kelly, chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank, recently talked about Pugh’s invaluable leadership.
“It was her passion for our youth and education that created this scholarship program,” Kelly said. “Upon the loss of Rhonda last year, we immediately decided to honor her dedication to First Independence Bank and Detroit Public Schools by naming our annual essay contest in her honor.”
Kevin Sweeney, vice president of Commercial Lending for First Independence Bank, delivered the event’s keynote address to the audience of award winners, students, teachers, family, First Independence Bank members and guests. Celeste Northern, Pugh’s daughter, offered heartfelt remarks about her beloved mother’s legacy of uplifting our youth to an awards event program audience held in Detroit.
This year’s essay contest topic for high school students was: “How would you like to contribute to the revitalization of Detroit?” Middle school students’ writing prompt was: “Imagine waking up one day and there were no rules. Explain what the world would be like.”
The 6th Annual First Independence Bank Rhonda Pugh Memorial Essay Contest. In memory of Ms. Pugh, scholarship recipients received the 1st Rhonda Pugh Memorial Awards.
This year’s theme: High School Theme: How would you like to contribute to the revitalization of Detroit? Middle School Theme: Imagine waking up one day and there were no rules. Explain what the world would be like.
Awardees included:
High School Students Scholarships:
$2,500 First Place, $1,500 Second Place, and $1,000 Third Place
Honorable Mentions: 6 recipients receiving $50.00 gift card each
Middle School Students Awards:
$200 First Place, $150 Second Place, and $100 Third Place
Honorable Mentions: 6 recipients receiving $50.00 gift card each
The 2018 high school scholarship winners, middle school award winners and honorable mention recipients are:
High School Scholarships
| 1st Place | Montezion Cherry | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| 2nd Place | Deja Redmond | Detroit College Preparatory at Northwestern |
| 3rd Place | Jordan Phillips | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
High School Honorable Mentions
| Edith Cameron | Western International High School |
| Troianna Childrey | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| William Curry III | Renaissance High School |
| DeShawn Durr | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| Davonte Johnson | East English Village Preparatory Academy |
| Caleb Jones | Renaissance High School |
Middle School Awards
| 1st Place | Summer J. Pettaway | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| 2nd Place | Marnise Segrest | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| 3rd Place | Jason Price | Brewer Academy |
Middle School Honorable Mentions
| Giniesha Bolden | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| Marshawn Dixon | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| Christina Faraad | A. L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning |
| Stevana Peterson | Carstens Academy of Aquatic Science |
| Tasnimah Uddin | Davison Elementary-Middle School |
| Jaylen Rashaun Williams-Banks | Brewer Academy |
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About First Independence Bank
First Independence Bank is the 10th largest African-American-controlled commercial bank in the United States. It offers a variety of high-quality banking services from managing accounts to personal loans, mortgages, consumer education and investments. First Independence bank has three locations and offers banking solutions online and digitally through its mobile app. Established in 1970, the bank continues to be a responsible leader, efficiently serving the financial needs of its community, its businesses and its customers nationwide. First Independence Bank is a member of FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit https://www.firstindependence.com
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