First Independence Bank takes part in 6th Annual Rhonda Pugh Memoral Essay Contest

First Independence Bank’s 2018 Rhonda Pugh Memorial Essay Contest winners (and honorable mentions) from various Detroit-area middle schools and high schools are all smiles after receiving their award certificate. (Credit: Hobson Media Group)

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(L-R): Kathryn Black, Treasury Management Team, First Independence Bank; Celeste Northern, daughter of the late Rhonda Y. Pugh (former vice president, Treasury Management, First Independence Bank); Alberta Pearson, vice president, Administration, First Independence Bank; and keynote speaker Kevin Sweeney, vice president, Commercial Lending, First Independence Bank. (Credit: Hobson Media Group)

First Independence Bank takes part in 6th Annual Rhonda Pugh Memorial Essay Contest

By Karen Hudson Samuels
Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT, MI - “Imagine waking up one day and there were no rules.” Explain what the world would be like with no rules. Or, “How would you like to contribute to the revitalization of Detroit?”

These were the themes of the student essay contest sponsored by First Independence Bank recently that awarded more than $5 thousand dollars to middle and high school winners.

For six years the bank has partnered with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to provide Detroit students scholarships for higher education.

This year’s annual event was special. It was renamed the 6th Annual Rhonda Pugh Memorial Essay Contest in honor and dedication to its founder Rhonda Pugh, a longtime First Independence Bank Vice President of treasury management who passed away last year. “It was her passion for our youth and education that created this scholarship program” says Kenneth Kelly, Chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank.

Teacher and families turned out to celebrate their students essay wins and to hear from the key note speaker, Kevin Sweeny, Vice President of the bank’s Commercial Lending. He delivered sage advice and praise.

On the importance of education Sweeny said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” quoting Nelson Mandela. He told the students that “college will be the best years of your life” and commended historically blacks colleges for offering friendship and camaraderie that can last a lifetime.

To help present awards to the students was Celeste Northern, the daughter of Rhonda Pugh she who flew in from New York for the ceremony. She said her mother wore many hats but that her great joy was creating a scholarship program for a future generation and giving back to the community.

High school winners in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were the recipients of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 scholarships respectively. Honorable mentions received $50.00 gift cards. The students were from East English Village Preparatory Academy, Detroit College Preparatory at Northwestern, Renaissance High School and Western International High School.

For middle school students there were $200, $150 and $100 awards and a $50.00 gift card for honorable mentions.

First Independence Banks is the 10th largest African American controlled commercial bank in the United Stations with three locations in metro Detroit.