WCCU Awards $10,000 in Scholarships to Local Grads
Thursday, July 2, 2026
As a new chapter begins for local high school graduates, Westerly Community Credit Union (WCCU) is proud to help fuel their journeys. The WCCU Scholarship Committee recently awarded four $2,000 College scholarships and one $2,000 Trade/Industrial Arts scholarship, totaling $10,000 in financial support to five exceptional local students.
These annual scholarships recognize academic dedication, career ambition, and community spirit. This year’s recipients are:
Grace Palmeri, a recent graduate of South Kingstown High School, was awarded the Westerly Community Credit Union - Joseph N. Cugini Memorial Scholarship. The Joseph N. Cugini Memorial Scholarship is named on behalf of the Credit Union’s former president, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Joseph Cugini. Cugini retired in 2000 after 41 years of service to the Credit Union. Grace will be attending Syracuse University to study Marketing, Advertising and Fashion.
Gianna Falcone, a recent graduate of Westerly High School, was awarded the Westerly Community Credit Union - Robert M. Bewlay Memorial Scholarship. The Robert M. Bewlay Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the Credit Union’s former Vice President, Robert M. Bewlay, for his 35 years of dedication and service to the Westerly Community Credit Union. Gianna will be attending Eastern Connecticut State University to study Health Sciences.
Aidan Alves, a recent graduate of Coventry High School, was awarded a Westerly Community Credit Union College Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate attending a four-year college or university. Aidan will be attending the University of New Hampshire to study Chemical Engineering.
Ella Murphy, a recent graduate of Chariho High School, was awarded a Westerly Community Credit Union College Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate attending a four-year college or university. Ella will be attending Johnson and Wales University to study Culinary Arts.
Candice Debigare, a recent graduate of Chariho High School, was awarded the Westerly Community Credit Union Trade and Industrial Arts Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate attending a Trade or Industrial Arts School. Candice will be pursing a career in the electrical trade at Electric Boat.
The Westerly Community Credit Union Board of Directors and staff are proud to support these outstanding students with their post high school education and wish them the best in their bright futures.
About Westerly Community Credit Union:
Established in 1948, Westerly Community Credit Union is a local, full–service financial institution that currently serves over 22,000 members with lending and deposit products through convenient locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, Coventry, and online at www.westerlyccu.com. Recent WCCU awards: #1 for Best Credit Union, #2 Best Financial Planning Services by the Westerly Sun’s 2025 Community Choice Awards and #1 for Best Credit Union by Southern RI Newspapers 2025 Community Choice Awards; Southern RI 2023 Chamber Choice Awards “Spreadin’ the Love Giving Back Award”, as well as PBN’s Best Places to Work ( 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026) and PBN’s Fastest Growing Companies (2024 and 2025); 5-Star BauerFinancial Rating 2026. Care you can bank on.
These annual scholarships recognize academic dedication, career ambition, and community spirit. This year’s recipients are:
Grace Palmeri, a recent graduate of South Kingstown High School, was awarded the Westerly Community Credit Union - Joseph N. Cugini Memorial Scholarship. The Joseph N. Cugini Memorial Scholarship is named on behalf of the Credit Union’s former president, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Joseph Cugini. Cugini retired in 2000 after 41 years of service to the Credit Union. Grace will be attending Syracuse University to study Marketing, Advertising and Fashion.
Gianna Falcone, a recent graduate of Westerly High School, was awarded the Westerly Community Credit Union - Robert M. Bewlay Memorial Scholarship. The Robert M. Bewlay Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the Credit Union’s former Vice President, Robert M. Bewlay, for his 35 years of dedication and service to the Westerly Community Credit Union. Gianna will be attending Eastern Connecticut State University to study Health Sciences.
Aidan Alves, a recent graduate of Coventry High School, was awarded a Westerly Community Credit Union College Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate attending a four-year college or university. Aidan will be attending the University of New Hampshire to study Chemical Engineering.
Ella Murphy, a recent graduate of Chariho High School, was awarded a Westerly Community Credit Union College Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate attending a four-year college or university. Ella will be attending Johnson and Wales University to study Culinary Arts.
Candice Debigare, a recent graduate of Chariho High School, was awarded the Westerly Community Credit Union Trade and Industrial Arts Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate attending a Trade or Industrial Arts School. Candice will be pursing a career in the electrical trade at Electric Boat.
The Westerly Community Credit Union Board of Directors and staff are proud to support these outstanding students with their post high school education and wish them the best in their bright futures.
About Westerly Community Credit Union:
Established in 1948, Westerly Community Credit Union is a local, full–service financial institution that currently serves over 22,000 members with lending and deposit products through convenient locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, Coventry, and online at www.westerlyccu.com. Recent WCCU awards: #1 for Best Credit Union, #2 Best Financial Planning Services by the Westerly Sun’s 2025 Community Choice Awards and #1 for Best Credit Union by Southern RI Newspapers 2025 Community Choice Awards; Southern RI 2023 Chamber Choice Awards “Spreadin’ the Love Giving Back Award”, as well as PBN’s Best Places to Work ( 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026) and PBN’s Fastest Growing Companies (2024 and 2025); 5-Star BauerFinancial Rating 2026. Care you can bank on.