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Medina County Federal Credit Union awards 2024 scholarships to local students

Medina County Federal Credit Union has announced two winners in its 2024 Scholarship Program. Edwin Ortiz and Madelyne Singer, both of Medina, will each receive $2,000 to help them continue their education.

The national slogan for credit unions is People Helping People. This year’s scholarship applicants wrote essays explaining what they have done to help people in their own lives.

Pete Grimm, the President of Medina County Federal Credit Union, said the winners represent the many local students who volunteer to help improve our community.
“We had many impressive applicants,” said Grimm. “Everyone at MedFed and our Board of Directors are happy to help Edwin and Madelyne continue their studies. As a cooperative credit union, we exist to serve the people of Medina County. Our directors themselves volunteer their time to serve on our board and give their time and expertise to help their neighbors.”

“The applicants this year showed us that the spirit of service is alive and well in the next generation,” Grimm said. “We are proud to serve a community full of so many wonderful young people and we wish them all the best as they continue their studies and service.”

Edwin Ortiz, a senior at Buckeye High School, received the $2,000 Bernard R. Spechalske Scholarship for high school seniors.

Edwin Ortiz, a senior at Buckeye High School, received the $2,000 Bernard R. Spechalske Scholarship for high school seniors. Andrew also studies in the Engineering Technologies and Design program at Medina County Career Center.

He is the son of Kimberly Ortiz of Medina.

Edwin maintains a 4.5 GPA at Buckeye High School while also studying at Cuyahoga Community College and Lorain Community College. He plans to study engineering in college and pursue a career in environmental engineering.

In his scholarship essay, Edwin recalled Theodore Roosevelt's quote, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

"My favorite word in the quote is do", Edwin wrote. "Do something positive, do something meaningful, and do something now."

At school, Edwin is a member of the track & field team, the bowling team, marching and concert bands, chess club, and HUDDLE. He is an Eagle Scout and has volunteered more than 450 hours with various organizations including environmental causes and the Medina County Probate & Juvenile Court Diversion Plan.

 

Madelyne Singer, of Medina, won the $2,000 Memorial Scholarship for current students of college or other post-secondary institutions.

Madelyne Singer, of Medina, won the $2,000 Memorial Scholarship for current students of college or other post-secondary institutions.

She is the daughter of Amanda and Brandon Singer.

Madelyne, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Medina High School, is a sophomore at The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

She is on the executive board of NSPIRE (Nursing Students Promoting Initiatives to Reinforce Equality), a student organization that helps people who are underserved by the healthcare system. With NSPIRE, she runs a monthly health clinic at a local soup kitchen, prepares dinners for children at a homeless shelter, and makes blankets for families at the Ronald McDonald House.

She also volunteers with multiple organizations that create care packages for women with cancer, raise money for children with cancer and blood disorders, and give kids access to sports activities and nutritious foods.

In addition to her studies and volunteering, Madelyne works at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's brain and spine hospital and is a certified yoga instructor.

About Medina County Federal Credit Union
Medina County Federal Credit Union has been serving Medina County since 1960. Starting out as a small school credit union with deposits totaling $50, MedFed has grown to a multi-million dollar full-service cooperative financial institution serving everyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Medina County. It operates branches in Medina, Wadsworth and Brunswick, and ranks among the top 25 largest credit unions in Northeast Ohio.