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Robert Mazurek was named executive director of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. (Contributed)
Robert Mazurek was named executive director of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. (Contributed)
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Bay Federal Credit Union has announced the winners of its annual financial education scholarships. The Member Education Scholarship recipients are Daniela Arreola, Jakelin Escobar and Michell Roldan. The “Mac McCormac” Employee Scholarship winners are Micaela DiPiero, Ana Gonzalez Torres and Albert Vizcarra. All scholarship winners were honored at Bay Federal’s annual meeting on March 30.

Since 2008, Bay Federal has awarded 64 scholarships totaling $561,500 to students who are pursuing a degree or certificate program at any college, university or professional school. The Mac McCormac Scholarship, established in 2012 in honor of the credit union’s first employee, provides college financial assistance to Bay Federal employees.

Carrie Birkhofer, Bay Federal Credit Union’s president and CEO, presented information on each scholarship winner during the virtual meeting.

The member education honorees:

• Daniela Arreola is pursuing an associate’s degree at Hartnell College. Her long-term goal is to complete a four-year nursing degree and become a registered nurse.

• Michell Roldan graduated from Cabrillo College with three associate degrees before transferring to Cal State Monterey Bay, where she is currently majoring in psychology.

• Jackie Escobar is working toward an associate degree in kinesiology at Cabrillo College, after which she plans to enroll in medical school to become a doctor.

The Mac McCormc Employee Scholarship honorees:

• Micaela DiPiero is an undergraduate at the University of Arizona Global Campus, majoring in psychology with a minor in communications. DiPiero is Bay Federal’s service manager at its River Street Branch in Santa Cruz.

• Ana Gonzalez Torres, a student at Cabrillo College, plans to enroll in Cabrillo’s nursing program, and then transfer to a four-year school to complete a Bachelor’s of Science degree. Gonzalez Torres is Bay Federal’s member services specialist at its Aptos Branch.

• Albert Vizcarra, also a Cabrillo College student, is completing the necessary coursework for transfer to Cal State Monterey Bay, where he plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in business management. Vizcarra is Bay Federal’s service manager at its Salinas branch.

Mazurek tabbed

The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation announced that Robert Mazurek became the foundation’s executive director on April 1. Mazurek, a resident of Aptos, will lead the organization’s overall strategic direction and organizational development protecting our coast, ocean, and watersheds.

Mazurek has spent more than two decades leading national and international efforts to strengthen ocean governance, enhance marine policy, and create resilient coasts, according to a release announcing his appointment.

The foundation’s goal is to advance the understanding and stewardship of ocean resources in California, according to its website. For information on the foundation, visit californiamsf.org.

Education

The following local student was honored for academic achievement:

• Amira Aspromonte, of Scotts Valley, was named to the dean’s list for the winter 2021 term at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

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