Langley FCU Announces 2024 Jean M. Yokum Scholarship Winners

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – (une 10, 2024) – Six deserving college-bound members of Langley Federal Credit Union will receive Jean M. Yokum College Scholarships, named after the credit union’s former president and CEO.

Langley Federal Credit Union awards the $5,000 scholarships each spring to support our younger students as they pursue further education.

Recipients showcase academic excellence and community involvement. The Peninsula Community Foundation manages the program and coordinates decisions about the scholarships with a committee of community leaders volunteering their time.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Hannah Chen, who will attend University of Virginia (UVA) after graduating from Grafton High School in York County. She has volunteered at the Virginia Peninsula Chinese School as a Python and HTML programming teacher and has also volunteered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in their Student Leadership Program serving as an advocate for the environmental preservation of the Bay. Hannah has a passion for STEM and plans to pursue a computer engineering degree via UVA’s School of Engineering & Applied Science in hopes of enhancing engineering methods to foster positive change in our society.
• Parker Forrest, who is attending Virginia Tech after graduating from Tabb High School in York County. Parker was a volunteer with Boy Scouts of America where he served in multiple leadership roles and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2021. He also served as a Golf Coach for the Special Olympics. In Summer 2023, Parker served as a delegate from Tabb High School at the Virginia Boys State of the American Legion. Parker plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering with the ultimate goal of joining a team that designs and creates toys and structures that inspire future generations of builders and engineers.
• Christopher Freshwater, who will attend American University after graduating from Hampton Roads Academy. He has volunteered at King of Glory Lutheran Church where he mentored a team of media volunteers to provide streaming options for service and also served as a Youth Group Mission Trip volunteer. He also volunteered at Boy Scouts of America supporting Troop 300’s Greek Festival as well as Troop 725 and Troop 300’s summer Cub Scout Day Camp as a Youth Counselor. Christopher is looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Studies or Political Science with the long term goals of serving as a military officer in the U.S. Coast Guard followed by a career in public service at the federal level.
• Megan Killian, who will attend Shenandoah University this fall after graduating from Grafton High School in York County. Megan volunteered for student-led nonprofit HealAmerica Inc., aiming to improve the nutritional needs and overall well-being of those in need in her local community. She also formed and served as president of the D.N.A. Club (Definitions Not Applicable), which is an LGBTQ+ and allies club at Grafton High School. During her senior year, she joined the Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (PT/OT) Program at New Horizons to earn her PT Aide certification. Megan plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and then attend PT school to obtain a doctoral degree to become a geriatric or military physical therapist.
• Janie Qing, who graduated from Tabb High School in York County, will attend Duke University. Janie has served as a hospital volunteer for Mary Immaculate Hospital as well as Riverside Regional Medical Center. Janie is also involved in various volunteer-oriented clubs and Honors Societies at Tabb. She is the founder and president of the Chinese Culture Club, Student Council Treasurer, Vice President of Key Club, and a member of Model UN, Girls Who, and Student Advisory Board member. Janie will pursue a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and is considering a career in the medical field in either Biomedical Engineering, Neurobiology, or Cognitive Science.
• Audrey Wallin, who will be attending Old Dominion University after graduating from Hampton Christian Academy. Audrey has volunteered with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, the Virginia Peninsula Community College Food Pantry, Operation Christmas at Samaritan’s Purse, the American Red Cross, and several other local nonprofit organizations. She is also a member of the Science National Honors Society, English National Honors Society, Senior National Beta Club, and Psi Alpha Psychology Honor Society. Audrey plans to obtain a bachelor of science degree in nursing with the long term goal of obtaining a masters degree and pursing a career as a labor and delivery nurse.

Langley Federal Credit Union has a long history of community involvement and charitable giving dating back to the founding of the credit union in the 1930’s. With a commitment to making a difference in the communities it serves, Langley for Families Foundation was launched in 2014 to support causes and charities benefiting children and families.

Langley Federal Credit Union is a federally-chartered credit union, regulated and insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Langley Federal Credit Union serves more than 360,000 members and has over $5 billion in assets, ranking the financial cooperative as one of the 100 largest credit unions in the country. Langley is a full-service financial institution where everyone can save, borrow, and spend wisely. Located in Hampton Roads, Langley has over 750 employees, 21 branches and more than 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs throughout the region. For more information, visit www.langleyfcu.org.