By: Lena

Lena @ 5:52 pm

Michigan First awarded recently students from 83 high schools in the metro Detroit area with one-time, non-renewable $1,000 scholarships. The schools are located within the 44 communities served by the Credit Union. Scholarship recipients were chosen by each high school’s scholarship selection committee or designee, and based on the student’s academic achievements, community involvement, special talents, leadership and civic and social responsibility. Scholarships awarded are applied to the student’s first year of college. During the past six years, Michigan First has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships.

Pictured is Mr. Michael Poulos (President and CEO of Michigan First) and the scholarship recipients.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 1:20 pm

Michigan First Credit Union sponsored the Scholar’s Lecture and Spelling Bee at the Ford
Freedom Awards, an annual fundraiser for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American
History. Pictured below are Michael Poulos, President/CEO of Michigan First Credit Union; Keke
Palmer, star of the film “Akeelah and the Bee”; and Rob Bettie, the Community Relations
Specialist with State Farm Insurance.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 8:52 am

Michigan First Credit Union honored students from 11 elementary and middle schools, celebrating their achievements in successfully running a Michigan First Credit Union student branch within their schools. Students who work in the credit unions were honored with a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony on May 29 at Michigan First’s main branch in Lathrup Village.

Special recognition was granted to the schools that had the most money deposited into savings accounts through the program and the school that opened the most new accounts.

This year, MacArthur K-8 University Academy took home the prize for the most new accounts opened, a total of 110 opened this year alone. MacArthur K-8 University Academy  also received the award for having the most in deposit dollars, collecting more than $22,000.00 in student deposits.

The schools participating in the student-run Michigan First branches include: University Prep in Detroit; and from Southfield, Mich. – Leonhard Elementary, McIntyre Elementary, Brace Ledere School, Stevenson Elementary, Adler Elementary, Birney Middle School, Laurus Academy, MacArthur K-8 University Academy, Levey Middle School and Crescent Academy.

Michigan First established the student-run branches in 2001 as part of its ongoing effort to increase financial literacy among children and teens. Students at the elementary and middle school student-run credit union branch are able to run the branches through various positions including branch managers, assistant managers, tellers, computer operators, bookkeepers and greeters. The students wear Michigan First logo shirts provided by the credit union. Michigan First staff is on-hand to monitor transactions as students make deposits. Students are allowed to only make deposits in savings accounts in an effort to encourage saving money.

In addition to student-run branches, Michigan First also advocates financial literacy through its MoneyKids (ages 0-12) and MoneyTeen (ages 13-17) programs that are designed to encourage children and teens to save money and instill financial responsibility that grows with them.

Michigan First plans on opening an additional 10 student branches by the end of 2008.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 8:37 am

Nine talented Detroit students have been selected as winners in the first Good Schools Poetry Contest presented by The Skillman Foundation and Good Schools Resource Center at Marygrove College and sponsored by Michigan First Credit Union.

The competition is part of The Skillman Foundation’s seven-year, multi-million dollar education initiative, Good Schools: Making the Grade, which identifies nine indicators of student and school success and invites all Detroit schools to apply for funding and technical assistance to maintain or attain these standards.   The poetry contest was open to K-12 students attending any of the 145 public, charter, private or parochial schools in Detroit that have been named Good Schools during the first three years of the initiative. The topic was: “Why my School is a Good School.” More than 1,000 entries were submitted. 

First, second and third place winners were chosen in each of three grade levels — elementary (K-5), middle (6-8), and high school (9-12). The winning students and their prizes are:

1)      ELEMENTARY: ·        

1st Place ($300 Gift Card) – Bryce Stallworth, 4th Grade, Bates Academy

 2nd Place($200 Gift Card) – Erica Cannon, 5th Grade, YMCA Service Learning Academy 

  3rd Place ($100 Gift Card) – Brandon Hull, 1st Grade, Charles H. Wright Academy 

2)      MIDDLE: 

1st Place ($500 Gift Card) – Najah Johnson, 7th Grade, Gesu Catholic School 

2nd Place ($300 Gift Card) – J′La Williams, 8th Grade, Golightly Educational Center 

3rd Place ($150 Gift Card) – Shabaka DaaJa-Ra, 7th Grade, Gesu Catholic School

3)      HIGH SCHOOL: 

1st Place ($750 Gift Card) – Michael Varano, 12th Grade, Renaissance High School 

2nd Place ($500 Gift Card) – Phillip Hall, 12th Grade, Communication & Media Arts 

3rd Place ($300 Gift Card) – Margaret Clements, 12th Grade, Renaissance High School

The student poetry winners received their prizes at a Good Schools Celebration of Excellence event on May 27th at Chene Park in Detroit. Marygrove College English faculty judged the students’ poems on creativity, originality, content, title appropriateness, style and mechanics, use of language, and voice authenticity. “We were extremely pleased with the response we received in the poetry contest. It demonstrates the creativity of children in Detroit schools and gives them a voice in what makes a Good School,” said Tonya Allen, vice president of program for The Skillman Foundation.  Michigan First Credit Union presented gift cards and award certificates to the poetry contest winners and plaques to the winning students’ schools. “This is our second year sponsoring a Good Schools: Making the Grade contest, and we’re very proud to be a part of this important initiative,” said Michigan First President & CEO Michael D. Poulos. “Michigan First has always been committed to the education and development of Detroit youth.”

The Skillman Foundation’s Good Schools: Making the Grade initiative identifies, recognizes and rewards Good Schools in Detroit. During the first three years of the initiative, The Skillman Foundation awarded more than $5.5 million in Good Schools grants to nearly 150 Detroit schools. The winning schools are recognized in four categories — High Performing, Improving, Emerging and Aspiring — and evaluated on nine standards: Student Academic Performance; Student Attendance; Leadership and Educational Vitality; Data-Driven Decision Making; Challenging Curriculum and Instruction; Student Focus and Support; School Culture; Professional Community; and School, Family and Community Partnerships.   

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By: Lena

Lena @ 3:18 pm

The Martin Luther King (MLK) Senior High School Marching Crusaders has officially raised the $380,000 they needed to travel to Beijing, China to play during the 2008 Summer Olympics. In early March, Michigan First and its Board of Directors jumpstarted, a community wide effort to help the school raise money for the trip, by making a $10,000 donation to the band and its director, Victoria Miller. The Credit Union also set up a fund for the band so donations could be made at any Michigan First branch.
In addition to Michigan First’s donation, other large donations were made by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the UAW, The Skillman Foundation, The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, The Kresge Foundation, The Detroit Lions, and GMAC, just to name a few. Donations were also made by church groups, individuals, block clubs, small and large businesses, and schools. And now, one of the best high school bands in the United States will get a chance to show the world how good they are when they play at the Olympics in August.

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Edwin Mulitalo (3rd from left) gave the band’s fundraising efforts a big boost with a $10,000 donation from his “Big Ed’s Band Foundation” which supports the development of music programs for children. Also on hand to present the check were (left to right) To’alima, Mulitalo’s daughter; Sandra Tomlin, Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations, Michigan First; three MLK student band members; Victoria Miller, band director; and Detroit Lion Jonathan Scott. After the check presentation, Mulitalo played his ukulele while his daughter To’alima performed a special dance for the band.

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By: Steve

Steve @ 6:08 pm

Michigan First Supports MLK High School’s Olympic Performance

On March 5, Michigan First presented a $10,000 check to the Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School Band. The Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School Band, one of only five U.S. bands invited to perform, has been selected to represent the State of Michigan during the Pre-Olympics Music Festival in China on July 1-7, 2008.

But it will cost $240,000 and they need our help.

Michigan First Credit Union is making it easy for any one to make any size donation. We have set up an account at the credit union for those wishing to donate funds.

To make any size donation, either:
(1) Visit any Michigan First Branch, or
(2) Mail your donation to:

Michigan First Credit Union
ATTN: MLK Band
27000 Evergreen Rd.
Lathrup Village, MI 48076

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By: Steve

Steve @ 11:50 am

A Commitment to Our Community – Scholarships and Participating High Schools

Michigan First Credit Union is pleased to offer one-time, non-renewable $1,000 scholarships to selected graduating high school seniors who are members of Michigan First Credit Union and attending a high school listed below.* The recipients are determined by each high school’s selection committee or designee and are selected on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement, special talents, leadership, or civic and social responsibility. Scholarships awarded will be applied to the student’s first year of college only. Application guidelines must be followed as stated to be considered.

You can get a scholarship application packet from your school counselor.

Once completed, be sure to submit the application to your school counselor, not directly to Michigan First Credit Union.

The high school’s scholarship selection committee or designee will choose one winner from each school. The school must return all application packets, including the selected winner to Michigan First Credit Union by Friday, April 18, 2008.

If you have any questions, please be sure to call Gwen Davis at 248-395-4133.

High Schools Eligible for Michigan First Credit Union Scholarship Program

Adlai Stevenson
Andover High School
Annapolis High School
Athens High School
Barsamian Prep
Berkley High School
Breithaupt Career & Tech Center
Cass Technical High School
Catherine Ferguson
Center Line High School
Central High School
Chadsey High School
Churchill High School
Clarenceville High School
Clawson High School
Cody High School
Communications & Media Arts
Cooley High School
Cousino High School
Crestwood High School
Crockett Technical & Career High School
Crockett Technical High School
Crosman High School
Davis Aerospace Technical
Dearborn High School
Denby High School
Detroit City High School
Detroit High School for the Arts
Detroit Technology High School
Douglas Academy
East Detroit High School
Ecorse Community High School
Edsel Ford High School
Farmington High School
Ferndale High School
Finney High School
Fitzgerald High School
Fordson High School
Franklin High School
Fraser High School
Golightly Career & Tech Center
Grosse Pointe North High School
Grosse Pointe South High School
Hamtramck High School
Harper Woods High School
Harrison High School
Hazel Park High School
Henry Ford High School
Henry Ford Academy-Dearborn
Highland Park Career Academy
Highland Park Community High School
International Academy for Young Women – Detroit
International Academy
Kettering High School
Lahser High School
Lake Shore High School
Lakeview High School
Lamphere High School
Lincoln High School
Madison High School
Martin Luther King
Mumford High School
Murray-Wright High School
Nancy Boykin Academy
North Farmington High School
Northwestern High School
Oak Park High School
Osborn High School
Pershing High School
Randolph Career Tech Center
Redford Union High School
Renaissance High School
River Rouge High School
Robichaud Senior High School
Roseville High School
Royal Oak High School
Seaholm High School
South Lake High School
Southeastern High School
Southfield Christian School
Southfield High School
Southfield Lathrup High School
Southwestern High School
Sterling Heights High School
Thurston High School
Troy High School
University of Detroit Jesuit High School
Warren Mott High School
Warren Woods Tower High School
West Bloomfield High School
Western International High School
Winans Academy
Wylie E. Groves High School

*Schools not listed here are not eligible for scholarships.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 5:30 pm

In its continuing effort to support the schools in their service areas, Michigan First recently donated 52 computer monitors to Pattengill Elementary School in Berkley. The monitors will be used in the school’s media center, computer lab and in the classrooms. “The Pattengill Elementary family is so grateful to Michigan First Credit Union for its generous donation of computer monitors,” said Principal Daryl Robbins. “We thank the Credit Union for reaching out to our community at large and partnering with our school.”

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By: Lena

Lena @ 2:42 pm

Crescent Academy started out with a bang on October 5th, 2007 opening 38 new accounts with over $600.00 in deposits. Twelve student employees will maintain the branch which will be located in the Library. The branch will be open every Friday morning.

Michigan First Credit Union and Southfield Public Schools have partnered to provide deposit transactions in the following student-run branches at:

Morris Adler Elementary (19100 Filmore Street, Southfield, MI)

Adler Stevenson Elementary (27777 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Alice Birney Middle School (27225 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI)

Brace Lederle School (18575 W. 9 Mile, Southfield, MI)

Crescent Academy (17570 West 12 Mile, Southfield, MI)

Laurus Academy (24590 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Leonhard Elementary (20900 Independence, Southfield, MI)

Levey Middle School (25300 W. 9 Mile, Southfield, MI)

MacArthur Academy University (24501 Frederick, Southfield, MI)

McIntyre Elementary (19600 Saratoga, Southfield, MI)

Stevenson Elementary (27777 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Southfield High School (24675 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

University Prep (600 Antoinette, Detroit, MI)

Southfield-Lathrup High School (19301 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI)

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By: Lena

Lena @ 3:43 pm

Michigan First Credit Union recently sponsored the Good Schools Essay Contest, presented by The Skillman Foundation and the Good Schools Resource Center at Marygrove College. The competition was part of The Skillman Foundation’s multi-million dollar education initiative, “Good Schools: Making the Grade,” which identifies indicators of student and school success and invites all Detroit schools, K-12, to apply for funding and technical assistance to maintain or attain these standards.

Michael D. Poulos, President/CEO, Michigan First Credit Union (left) is pictured with six of the nine student contest winners. Also pictured are Carol Goss (center, standing), President & CEO, The Skillman Foundation, and David Fike, Ph.D., President, Marygrove College. Michigan First presented each student winner with a monetary award and a framed certificate. Each student’s school received a crystal trophy also sponsored and presented by the Credit Union.

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