The 2026 MyWay Scholarship Recipients Exemplify Excellence in the Classroom and the Community
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — First Commerce Credit Union is proud to recognize four exceptional students who were awarded the credit union’s 2026 MyWay Scholarship: Delaney Ding and Cooper Harrell of Tallahassee, Florida; Yazmin Martinez of Valdosta, Georgia; and Vraj Patel of Adel, Georgia.
First Commerce awards four $1,000 scholarships each year through the MyWay Scholarship, two to students in North Florida and two to students in South Georgia.
For more than a decade, First Commerce has awarded the MyWay Scholarship to help students advance their education while preparing for careers that will strengthen the communities they serve. The program reflects First Commerce’s commitment to investing in individuals across generations and supporting the next generation of leaders, innovators and professionals.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on excellence in academics, leadership, community involvement and work experience.
Meet the 2026 MyWay Scholarship Winners:
Cooper Harrell of Tallahassee is pursuing a master’s degree in athletic administration after earning his bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2025. As he works toward a career in high school athletic administration, Harrell has gained hands-on experience serving as a substitute teacher and athletic department intern at Maclay School. He said the MyWay Scholarship provides meaningful financial relief as he continues investing in his education and career goals.
Delaney Ding of Tallahassee is enrolled in the University of Florida College of Medicine’s dual-degree MD-PhD program, combining medical training with doctoral research focused on epidemiology. Ding hopes to build a career that integrates direct patient care with research that can improve health outcomes on a broader scale. He said receiving the scholarship is an honor and supports his ability to continue investing in his studies and future.
Yazmin Martinez of Valdosta recently graduated from Valdosta Early College Academy and plans to attend Valdosta State University’s engineering transfer program. Her goal is to transfer to Georgia Tech and ultimately become a civil engineer. Martinez said the scholarship is helping cover tuition expenses and allowing her to focus on her studies as she begins the next stage of her educational journey.
Vraj Patel of Adel is studying business management at the University of Georgia with plans to pursue a career in hospitality management. He recently participated in a study abroad program in Finland, Sweden and Estonia, where he studied startup businesses and gained international business experience. Patel said the scholarship helped ease the financial burden of participating in the program and enhanced his educational experience.
“Cooper, Delaney, Yazmin and Vraj exemplify the determination, leadership and commitment to excellence that the MyWay Scholarship was created to celebrate,” said First Commerce CEO Cecilia Homison. “We are honored to support these outstanding students as they pursue their educational goals and prepare to make meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.”
Whether pursuing careers in education, engineering, healthcare, business or other fields, scholarship recipients represent the future leaders who will help strengthen the region’s communities and economy.
For more information about the MyWay Scholarship program, including eligibility requirements and future application opportunities, visit First Commerce Credit Union’s MyWay Scholarship webpage.
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First Commerce Credit Union is an award-winning, full-service, #LocalStrong financial institution dedicated to empowering generations and transforming communities for 85 years. First Commerce has been consistently recognized for its community impact, including national awards for its annual #FlamingoChallenge, which the credit union has spearheaded to raise nearly $650,000 since 2020 to benefit breast cancer patients throughout the region. A not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $1 billion in assets, the credit union is owned by the more than 75,000 consumer and business members it serves. Anyone who lives or works in 40 counties in the North Florida/South Georgia region or their immediate family members are eligible to join. First Commerce has 14 financial centers, including six in Tallahassee, one in Panama City and Marianna, Florida; along with three in Valdosta, one in Nashville, Adel, and Thomasville, Georgia. First Commerce offers best-in-class consumer and business products and services along with the latest technology, and is the No. 1 auto lender in the region. The credit union also offers free financial literacy resources in person and online through the FCCU Foundation, as well as comprehensive financial planning and investment services through its subsidiary Six Pillars Financial Advisors, and commercial and personal insurance through First Commerce Insurance Agency. For details, visit FirstCommerceCU.org or call 850.488.0035 or 800.533.5772. Insured by NCUA. Equal housing opportunity lender.
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