Taylor Holton, a graduating senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School in Pinecrest, is one of 12 students across Miami-Dade and Broward counties to receive $1,500 through Dade County Federal Credit Union's first-ever "Scholars Who Serve" scholarship program.

The credit union awarded $18,000 total to the dozen recipients, selecting them for academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and commitment to service, according to Community Newspapers, which first reported the awards on Monday, July 27. It is DCFCU's first scholarship initiative.

"The 'Scholars Who Serve' scholarship program was created to recognize and support young leaders who are making a difference in their schools and communities," Federica Chalumeau, DCFCU's chief experience officer, said in the announcement. She called the recipients "the next generation of changemakers" in the two counties.

Holton is the only Pinecrest recipient. Miami Palmetto, located at 7431 SW 120th St., serves as the home school for Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay residents and has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

The other 11 recipients come from schools across the two counties: Solomon Campbell (Monsignor Pace), Briana Pean (Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High), D'Myah Beaumont (Coral Reef Senior High), Yannara Aldas and Neily Martinez (Miami Senior High), Juanita Gomez (Ipreparatory Academy), Mengwai Jim (School for Advanced Studies West), Kiara Walden (Booker T. Washington), Christina Hamilton (Miami Central Senior High), Alfonso Fernandez (Christopher Columbus High), and Samuel Nicolas (College Academy at Broward College).

Looking ahead to 2027

The Scholars Who Serve program will reopen for applications in January 2027. Eligibility requirements and application details are available at dcfcu.org/scholarships.

Upcoming in the community