Turn Points into Perks and Meet Our Scholarship Recipients

May 2025 Newsletter

The 2025 Smart Start Scholarship Winners!

We’re proud to announce the ten outstanding recipients of this year’s Smart Start Scholarship, a program designed to support students in reaching their academic and career goals. At CCCU, we believe in empowering the next generation—and the Smart Start Scholarship is one way we help our young members take their first steps toward a brighter future.

These ten students have shown dedication, leadership, and commitment to their communities. We’re honored to be part of their journey.

Congratulations to our 2025 Smart Start Scholarship Winners:

Alexander Gonzales: University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Mechanical Engineering in Environmental Engineering
Amaya Williams: Chamberlain College of Nursing – Nursing
Asha Talim: Dartmouth College – Biological Sciences Minor in Public Policy
Brooke Daimonji: University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Biological Sciences
Isaiah Green: Rice University – Neuroscience 
Kiran Talim: Vanderbilt University – Molecular and Cellular Biology Minor in Medicine, Health and Society
Luci Szczubiala: Hood College – Environmental Engineering
Sebastian Rios: University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Criminal Justice and Political Science (Double Major)
Spencer Ladd: Utah Valley University – Nursing
Xavier Corralejo: Mississippi State University – Mechanical Engineering

This scholarship helps ease the financial burden of higher education, giving students the confidence and resources they need to stay focused on their goals. We’re inspired by their ambition—and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.

Looking for ways to prepare financially for your own college journey or that of a loved one? Don’t miss our blog: Five Tips to Avoid Costly Mistakes When Saving for College

Celebrate Nurses Week with Prizes from CCCU!

We are proud to honor the incredible nurses and nursing students who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Their compassion, strength, and resilience make a difference in our community’s health every day—and during our 12th annual Nurses Week celebration, we are giving away some great prizes to say thank you! 

From Tuesday, May 6 through Monday, May 12, nurses and nursing students can submit for a chance to win! We’re giving away:
Three $500 Amazon gift cards to deserving nurses
Two $250 Amazon gift cards to nursing students
22 tote bags filled with exclusive swag - especially curated just for nurses

Click here to enter.

If you know a nurse, please share this opportunity with them. They give so much to our communities and deserve more than just our thanks.

CCCU Walks at the Runnin' for the House 5K 👟❤️

Last month, CCCU employees, family, and friends joined hundreds of valley residents when they laced up their sneakers for a great cause at the Runnin' for the House 5K Run and Family Fun Walk. The annual walk was in support of the 
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Greater Las Vegas.
Funds raised at the walk help keep families close when they need it most. The Ronald McDonald House provides a comforting “home away from home” for families of critically ill or injured children receiving treatment in local hospitals. By offering a place to stay, meals, and a supportive community, the House gives parents peace of mind and helps them focus on what matters most—being close to their child.

To learn more about this amazing organization and how you can support their mission, visit rmhlv.org

Maximize Your Credit Card Points on Summer Road Trips    

In a throwback to the 56th episode of The Perfect Bite podcast, CCCU dives into one of summer’s best-kept travel secrets: how to earn and redeem credit card points during a road trip.

Learn the easy and practical ways to turn road trip expenses into valuable rewards, and our hosts even shared their own experiences to help listeners put these tips into action.

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll hear on episode 56:

How to save money on rental cars and RVs—including tips from one of our host’s own RV trip
Which types of credit cards offer the best value for road trippers
Gas-saving strategies through loyalty programs like Shell, Murphy, and Smith’s
Creative ways to redeem your points for unique experiences like spa days, cruises, amusement parks, and more

Whether you're hitting the road for a quick weekend escape or planning a cross-country adventure, this episode will help you travel smarter, earn more, and make the most of every mile.

Listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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