Fitzsimons Credit Union Values Lifelong Learning by Awarding Scholarships to Local Students

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on August 4, 2025

Aurora, Colo.-based Fitzsimons Credit Union believes that education has the power to transform communities and recently shared the 2025 recipients of the Sandra B. Neves Scholarship. Established by the board of directors and supported by the credit union, the scholarship is named in honor of former CEO, Sandra Neves, and was founded after her retirement in 2017.

Neves has always been passionate about higher education, asserting that “lifelong learning is essential to success and happiness, combined with integrity, upstanding character and continuous personal and spiritual development, education is your key to a joyful life.”

“We’re proud to announce this year’s scholarship recipients, reaffirming our commitment to empowering the next generation of community leaders through education,” said Fitzsimons’ current President and CEO, Robert M. Fryberger Jr.

This year’s scholarship recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, career aspirations, community service, extracurricular participation, and financial need. They received equal amounts, totaling $5,000 in awarded scholarships.

Congratulations the scholarship recipients!

Nydia Ruiz will be pursuing a degree in Dental Hygiene at the Community College of Denver. She has overcome the challenges of dyslexia and a learning disability with resilience and determination. She successfully completed general education and AP courses, worked part-time, and stayed active in softball and AVID. A school counselor shared, “Her thoughtfulness and approach to learning are extremely admirable, especially for a student who isn’t the fastest learner.”

LeAnn Anderson is pursuing a degree in Accounting at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Driven by a desire for excellence, she remains focused on her goals and is inspired to give back to others in the future. LeAnn believes this scholarship is not just an investment in her but in what she can contribute back to society.

Ciara Andrew is pursuing an accelerated dual-degree program in Operations Management at the University of Alabama, working towards both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously. Her instructor proudly said, “Ciara’s desire to learn and challenge herself is inspiring. She is always working to be better both in and out of the classroom to prepare herself for a career within the healthcare industry.”

Stephen Asante will be a freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and will be pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Among his career aspirations, he wants to establish a foundation for eager future business professionals. An advanced placement instructor commented, “In my ten years of teaching, I have rarely encountered a student as focused and committed to mastering the course content.”

Megan Pohs is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Colorado Anschutz, driven by a deep-rooted passion for caring for others. From a young age, she was the first to rush to help injured teammates on the soccer or basketball court. Inspired by her grandmother June, a lifelong nurse known for her compassion and dedication, she aims to provide personalized, empathetic care to every patient. A former teacher noted, “Her natural instinct to help others and her drive to make a difference set her apart in every classroom.”

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