LAPLACE — Nina Hymel, a graduating senior at St. Mary’s Dominican High School, was awarded the Ronald E. Thomas Memorial Scholarship on behalf of Louisiana Federal Credit Union. Hymel’s winning essay — describing what makes her exemplary — was selected from among other graduating senior student entries. Hymel plans to attend Loyola University in Chicago this fall to study communications and public relations.

The $2,000 scholarship honors the late Ronald E. Thomas for his local and national contributions to the credit union movement. Thomas, who passed away in 2002, was a board member of Louisiana FCU for more than 65 years.

Louisiana FCU is committed to teen financial literacy, offering a variety of products that encourage teens to actively gain money management skills, track financial decisions and learn how to budget for their future.

Louisiana Federal Credit Union is a full-service not-for-profit financial institution serving over 20,000 members in the River Parishes and Tangipahoa Parish area.