Scholarship Awarded to Local Environmental Trailblazers
San Diego CA— Wheelhouse Credit Union (Wheelhouse) is helping the next generation of environmental trail blazers by awarding five scholarships of $1,000 each to college-bound students through its annual Sustainability College Scholarship Program. A leader in eco-friendly lending and community sustainability initiatives, Wheelhouse recognized graduating high school seniors in San Diego County who demonstrated leadership, public service, and a desire to make a sustainable difference in their schools and communities.
Carlsbad student Bennett Hochner, who recently graduated from Sage Creek High School, received a Wheelhouse Sustainability Scholarship for his commitment to environmental community initiatives. He will attend University of Southern California in the fall.
“Our core commitment to sustainability extends to ensuring we are supporting our next generation of environmental champions who share our passion to protect our natural resources and help our beautiful city thrive,” said Wheelhouse President/CEO Lisa Paul-Hill. “We are honored to support these local trailblazers who are leading the way in their mission to promote sustainability in their communities. We congratulate each of these scholarship recipients, and look forward to seeing the results of their great work in the years ahead.”
All 2021 Wheelhouse Sustainability Scholarship recipients include:
| Scholarship Recipient | School | City | College Attending |
| Olivia Barman | University City High School | San Diego | UC, Berkeley |
| Sara Cortes | Granite Hills High School | El Cajon | UCLA |
| Bennett Hochner | Sage Creek High School | Carlsbad | USC |
| Angelica Kamahi | Granite Hills High School | El Cajon | San Diego State University |
| Andrea Orozco | Caste Park High School | Chula Vista | USC |
Wheelhouse’s Sustainability College Scholarship Program was created in 2005 to recognize conscientious high school leaders in San Diego County who share the credit union’s passion to positively impact the community through eco-friendly initiatives, helping sustain the environment and resources for generations to come. Since the creation of the program, Wheelhouse has awarded $96,000 in scholarships.
Founded in 1934, Wheelhouse is one of the oldest credit unions in San Diego. A central aspect of its community commitment is supporting San Diego’s move to 100% clean energy by 2035. The Credit Union’s award-winning Solar and Energy Efficiency Loans have made Wheelhouse the #1 solar loan provider in San Diego, working with over 100 installers to help homeowners significantly reduce their electric bill, increase the value of their home, and help the environment. More information about the Wheelhouse Commitment to Sustainability is available here.
About Wheelhouse Credit Union
Wheelhouse Credit Union (formerly San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union) is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1934 serving more than 29,000 community members in the greater San Diego area. Wheelhouse is “San Diego Made and Proud,” providing a full suite of consumer banking services and a comprehensive set of Energy-Efficient and Solar Loan products for the conscientious San Diegan. The Credit Union is committed to helping its Members succeed while supporting initiatives that help San Diego thrive. Please visit wheelhousecu.com for more information, or follow the Credit Union on Instagram®, Facebook® and Twitter®.