Folsom, California – (Feb. 22, 2024) – SAFE Credit Union continues its tradition of supporting area Academic Decathlon participants this year, contributing $8,400 in individual scholarships and team prizes for Sacramento and Placer counties' winning team members as well as for outstanding and top-scoring students.
All total, SAFE’s funding supported 74 students with individual scholarships and team prizes between $50 and $400 each.
“Our decathlon scholarships reinforce SAFE’s commitment not only to the decathlete’s current educational goals but also recognize their future aspirations and endeavors,” says SAFE Credit Community Impact Specialist Brit Kelleher. “Congratulations to the winners and all of those who participated this year.”
In a three-peat, Folsom High School in the Folsom-Cordova School District took first place in the Sacramento County Academic Decathlon. Placer County’s winning team, Rocklin High School, in the Rocklin Unified School District, won first-place for the fourth consecutive year.
Placer County Academic Decathlon first-place winners from Rocklin High School with their coach, Michael Knight, and SAFE Credit Union Board Chair Terry Tremelling.
The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) hosted final events for SCOE students and Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) students earlier this month at Sheldon High School in the Elk Grove Unified School District. The winning teams advance to compete in next month’s statewide California Academic Decathlon, where from there, the winning team moves on to the national competition.
Four teams from Placer County and 11 teams from Sacramento County competed in their respective competitions. This year’s teams prepared and studied across disciplines for the competition’s area of study focused on “Technology and Humanity.”
SAFE Credit Union’s Board Chair Terry Tremelling attended the awards ceremonies for both decathlons. “My thanks to you for the hard work and discipline that you have exhibited,” Tremelling told the award winners. “We’re proud to support such remarkable students.”
Sacramento County Office of Education Superintendent David W. Gordon and SAFE Credit Union Board Chair Terry Tremelling.
Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica says community partners are key in recognizing “the educational excellence shown by students in the Academic Decathlon program.”
“We are grateful to SAFE Credit Union for their investment in academic success and student achievement,” she says.
Folsom High School Senior Angela Merrill, among this year’s top scorers, says she is “really, really” excited about going to state and thankful for her SAFE scholarship. “I am elated because being a senior with college payments, everything adds up, so having the money is very helpful,” Merrill says.
Folsom High School’s winning Academic Decathlon 2024 team.
Rocklin High School’s winning team member and junior Trevor Douglas was glad to see his team win and “be recognized for all their hard work and perseverance.” The winner of eight medals also thanked SAFE. “That’s really cool and it’s nice that companies are going out of their way to support the academic interests of their community,” Douglas says.
Placer County Academic Decathlon Gold Super Decathletes, from left to right, Rocklin High School students Aniridh Annareddy, Radian Hong and Trevor Douglas with SAFE Board Chair Terry Tremelling.
Rocklin High School decathlon coach and social studies and science teacher Michael Knight enjoyed seeing his students recognized. “It’s something extra that shows them that others take appreciation in their hard work,” he says. “It’s nice when you get to see academic competitors get recognized as well.”
SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Specialist Brit Kelleher
For more information email [email protected].
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About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with over $4.7 billion in assets and about 236,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person care for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region and a mortgage lending office serving Contra Costa and Alameda counties. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org