Sacramento, CA… Golden 1 Credit Union (Golden 1) is pleased to announce it has awarded Calaveras High School graduate Garrett Hesser a scholarship. Hesser is among 43 exceptional students throughout California to receive a Golden 1 scholarship, which are awarded based on a student’s academic achievements, community involvement, extracurricular activities, education, and career goals.

“Golden 1 is committed to doing our part to help California’s future leaders, like Garrett, achieve their educational goals and dreams,” said Erica Taylor, Vice President of Communications and Community Relations for Golden 1 Credit Union. “Our annual scholarship program is one of the most important ways we give back to our members and the communities we are proud to serve.”  

Garrett Hesser, University of California, Berkeley

Hesser was the 2022 co-valedictorian at Calaveras High, a position he tied for with his cousin, Emma. In addition to his academic excellence, Hesser was also an active member of his school’s cross-country team where he placed in the state championships, and a Regional Officer for the Future Farmers of America.

“I have embraced many leadership roles because I believe that when we empower each other in positive ways, meaningful change can happen,” said Hesser.

Growing up on a rural cattle ranch in the foothills of Calaveras County, Hesser witnessed how the drought, fires, and overgrazing of cattle affect the water that enters local watersheds. These experiences drove him to want to major in ecosystem management and forestry at the University of California, Berkeley to pursue his passion for watershed and range land management.

“A career path in ecosystem management and forestry will allow me to serve my community daily and help address one of my generation’s greatest challenges: conserving and protecting the world’s most valuable resource – water,” said Hesser.

Hesser enrolled in the Calaveras County Fire Academy when the doors to his school closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and served 300 hours as a volunteer firefighter, a role he plans to resume during his breaks from college.

“This support from Golden 1 allows me to pursue my dream of protecting our treasured resources,” said Hesser. “One day I hope I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as Golden 1 has helped me.”

The Golden 1 Credit Union Scholarship Program provides members and their dependents financial assistance, valued at up to $20,000 per student, for full-time students who plan to attend accredited, nonprofit two-year community colleges or four-year colleges and universities in California. Since the program began in 2013, Golden 1 has awarded nearly 500 scholarships to college-bound students throughout the state. For more information, visit golden1.com/our-community/scholarships. 

ABOUT GOLDEN 1 CREDIT UNION 
With more than $18 billion in assets, Golden 1 Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the United States and proudly serves all those who live or work in California. Golden 1 delivers financial solutions with value, convenience, and exceptional service to members. As a dynamic and trusted leader, Golden 1 is committed to enhancing the financial well-being of Californians and their diverse communities. Golden 1 is more than 1 million members strong and has more than 2,000 employees. Visit golden1.com for more information.