The recipient of the 21st annual Frances C. Granata Scholarship is Megan Kyte. Granata was the first president of the Credit Union in 1974.

Megan, daughter of Russell Kyte and Bridget Russell of Fredonia, is a senior at Nichols School in Buffalo and will attend Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., in the fall. She was accepted into the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design for photography. Megan received a Division 1 softball athletic scholarship for four years, as well as the A.J Drexel, Drexel Grant and Westphal Portfolio scholarships. For her photography, Megan has been awarded the Silver Key Scholastic Art and Writing Award from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, Best Graphic Design and a $2,000 scholarship from Daemon College’s Department for the Visual and Performing Arts 51st All High School Exhibition, and had her work accepted at the Albright Knox Art Gallery High School Art Exhibition and Drexel University’s Annual High School Photography Contest.

Megan has had many accomplishments on the athletic field as well, playing softball since the age of 8 years old. She was recruited to play on the Stars National 18U team, an elite travel team out of Vienna, Va., where she was recruited by Drexel University as well as other Division 1 and Division 2 schools. She has traveled the country playing in the highest level of travel softball in the country, including the PGF Nationals in Huntington Beach, California, IDT in Boulder, Colorado, Team NJ in Bridgewater, NJ and Atlanta Legacy in Atlanta, Georgia. She tried out and made the U19 Great Britain National Team in 2019 and 2020. Last year the team played in British Columbia, Canada and were slated to play in Northern Italy this year for the European Championships. Megan has earned Nichols School Varsity softball team’s MVP, WNY Athletics honors and Monsignor Martin Athletic Association All Catholic Team every year of high school. She has numerous school pitching and batting records.

Megan has more than 200 hours of volunteer work, including multiple housing projects through Habitat for Humanity in Buffalo, mentorship programs at Nichols School for new and middle school students, Journey’s End Refugee Services, 716 Ministries, Red Cross, Allentown Association, Friends of the Night Soup Kitchen and many other notable charities. Megan has also taken on leadership positions at Nichols School such as being on the peer-elected Student Conduct Committee and presenting a panel to refugees at Journey’s End. Megan participated in Mixed Concert Choir and was also a member of the basketball and soccer teams for several years at Nichols School.

Gabrielle Aldrich

Gabrielle Aldrich, a Fredonia High School senior, is the recipient of the 21st annual Paul T. Schonhart scholarship. Schonhart was president of the Credit Union for 15 years, the longest term in the credit union’s history.

Gabrielle is the daughter of Brian and Ann Aldrich. While at Fredonia, Gabrielle has achieved several academic honors, including being on the honor roll and awarded the Principal’s Award every quarter. Additionally, she has taken numerous advanced and AP classes.

While maintaining her studies, Gabrielle has been a member of the girls varsity swim team, unified bowling team, and Hammerheads Swim Club. On Fredonia’s swim team, she has received student-athlete awards, along with being the team captain and secretary this past year.

Outside of athletics, Gabrielle is the Student Council vice president of Fredonia’s senior class, a Girls State citizen and award-winning Model United Nations delegate, where she won both first place position paper and runner-up best delegate. She is a member of the National Honor Society, yearbook staff, and a student leader for Quest Backpacking club. Gabrielle volunteers at her Church, Family Church Fredonia, helping with child care services and cleaning.

Gabrielle will be attending St. Lawrence University in the fall, pursuing a degree in economics.

Lauren Miller

Lauren Miller, daughter of Michael P. and Shari K. Miller of Dunkirk, is the recipient of the 19th annual Patricia M. Rushboldt scholarship. The scholarship is given in memory of Mrs. Rushboldt, a dedicated employee of the SUNY Fredonia Federal Credit Union for 28 years.

Lauren will be attending the State University at Fredonia this fall as a biology major. Lauren hopes to add psychology as her minor as she aspires to be a neuroscientist.

She has accomplished many academic achievements while in high school with combining her junior and senior years allowing her to graduate early and jump start her career. Lauren has received numerous behavior and academic based awards from Fredonia Central School including the Principal’s Award for every quarter since fifth grade, which is received by students who are on the honor roll. Lauren wishes to pursue a career as a neuroscientist, working on teams to help make scientific advancements.

During her time at Fredonia Central School, Lauren has been able to visit Boston, New York City, Costa Rica, and Belize with the school. This brings her count of countries that she has visited to five. As a student at SUNY Fredonia she hopes to participate in SUNY Fredonia’s medical brigade to Honduras where she can utilize her knowledge of the Spanish language and learn in the field.