ALAMOSA — Two students from Alamosa County are among 10 students statewide to be awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Credit Union of Colorado Foundation. The pair were among dozens of applicants from throughout Colorado who applied for a share of the $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the foundation for the 2017-18 school year.

The local scholarship winners are Melissa Bower of Mosca, who attended Sargent High School in Monte Vista and will enter Colorado Mesa University as a freshman this fall, and Ryan Martinez of Alamosa, a senior at Colorado State University. They won the scholarships based on academic performance, need, volunteerism and career goals.

Bower seeks a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Martinez, who transferred to CSU after completing his first two years of college at Adams State University, aims to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Scholarship eligibility was extended to students who are Colorado residents and enrolled in, or scheduled to enter, an accredited college or university as an undergraduate. Scholarship award criteria included maintaining a minimum 3.5 grade-point average in high school or during the previous 12 months as a college undergraduate. Applicants had to demonstrate active involvement in community service and also describe in an essay why they need the scholarship and their goals for their education.

“We are very pleased to support these outstanding students like Melissa and Ryan,” said Doug Schneider, chairman of the Credit Union of Colorado Foundation. “They have shown a commitment to their education and to creating a better future for Colorado communities.”

The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation was founded in 2012 to build upon Credit Union of Colorado’s long history of philanthropic commitment to its members and the communities where they reside. The foundation primarily focuses on two areas of interest: human services and education.