Recipients awarded for community impact, creativity and innovation, and bullying prevention
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union, one of New Mexico’s leading credit unions with more than 98,000 members, announces today the recipients of its 2026 U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union Scholarship. Six students were honored and awarded a total of $30,000 in the categories of community impact, creativity and innovation, and bullying prevention.
“U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarship program. They will receive some of the most unique scholarships in education as they not only supports academic merit but also underscores the fundamental principles of our credit union, built on the philosophy of people helping people,” said Jacqueline Vigil, assistant vice president cannabis banking and chair of the scholarship committee at U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union. “At U.S. Eagle, we take pride in the impact that we make in the communities we serve, apply creativity and innovation to support our members, and uplift others through encouragement, kindness and inclusion. The scholarships reflect those values.”
Each student will receive $5,000 to support their education. In each category, the recipients include:
Community Impact Scholarship Recipients
The Community Impact Scholarship recognizes students who strengthen their communities through service, advocacy, and efforts that make life better for those around them, with a focus on financial wellbeing.
Carson Padilla is a first-generation college student from Farmington and attends Nelson University in Waxahachie, Tex. He is pursuing a degree in business and entrepreneurship and hopes to use his education and leadership experience to make a positive impact in his community while empowering others to reach their goals. Padilla is involved in student government and is a member of the university’s baseball team.
Angel Garcia, a Los Angeles native, spent more than 20 years as a member of a Los Angeles gang and was incarcerated for over a decade. Today, he attends the University of New Mexico (UNM) and is a workforce development leader and community advocate dedicated to helping underserved and underrepresented individuals overcome barriers to create new opportunities for success. Garcia transformed his life into one of service, leadership and advocacy. He currently focuses on helping individuals break cycles of aversity, build financial stability, and create stronger futures for them and their communities.
Creativity and Innovation Scholarship Recipients
The Creativity and Innovation Scholarship recognizes students who use creativity and problemsolving skills to bring fresh ideas, positive change, and meaningful impact to their communities, while imagining a better world in 10 years.
Ella Mier, an Eldorado High School graduate from Albuquerque who was a member of the National Honor Society and the school’s cheer team, will attend UNM in the fall and take part in the university’s Freshman Direct Entry Nursing Program. Inspired by her diagnosis of Turner’s Syndrome, a condition affecting the X chromosome, she hopes to pursue a career in pediatric nursing to provide compassionate care for children and families.
Gavin Francis was raised in San Juan County near the Navajo Nation and witnessed healthcare challenges in the local community. He graduated from San Juan College High School participating in the accelerated early college program and earned an Associate of Science Degree in Pre-Pharmacy. He will attend UNM’s PharmD Program in the fall. Francis plans to use his education to help improve the health and wellbeing of others while making a meaningful difference in the community.
Vigil Bullying Prevention Scholarship Recipients
The Vigil Bullying Prevention Scholarship honors students who promote kindness, safety, and support by taking meaningful steps to prevent bullying in their communities.
Saskia Van Maanen graduated from Farmington High School as a distinguished scholar and currently attends the Florida Institute of Technology. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology and minoring in prelaw. Van Maanen is passionate about understanding human behavior and advocating for vulnerable populations. She is committed to making a positive impact within the community and helping to create better futures for her generation and those that follow.
Lance Garcia graduated from Grants High School and is planning to attend UNM to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry. He is committed to helping others and is dedicated to promoting kindness and inclusion, while using his leadership skills to stand against bullying. Through his academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and commitment to helping others, Garcia strives to make a positive and lasting impact in the community.
For more information about U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union, please visit USEagle.org.