EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — American Eagle Financial Credit Union, in partnership with ReadyCT and Pathways Academy, honored Andrea Owusu and Kayanna Serrano as recipients of the 2026 NextGen Leaders Scholarship. Each student received a $5,000 scholarship in recognition of their outstanding leadership, creativity, and commitment to promoting financial literacy among their peers.
The second annual NextGen Leaders Scholarship Program challenged high school seniors to bring financial education to life through original social media content focused on financial well-being and community impact. Participants spent a week creating and sharing content designed to engage their peers in meaningful conversations about money management and financial empowerment.
During her campaign, Owusu, a first-generation Ghanaian-American student, highlighted how financial education can empower young people. Her professionalism, creative storytelling, and commitment to helping others make informed financial decisions — along with her “Making Cents” series — distinguished her throughout the program. She will attend the University of Connecticut this fall, where she plans to study business marketing.
Serrano, a recent high school graduate and gifted gymnast, was recognized for creating fun, actionable content that resonated with her followers. A longtime member at American Eagle Financial Credit Union, she is passionate about helping others develop smart money-saving habits. Her “Tips on Budgeting” became the initiative’s top-performing student campaign, exemplifying the power of peer-to-peer education. She plans to attend Southern Connecticut State University to study computer science this fall.
“The NextGen Leaders Scholarship program perfectly reflects American Eagle’s belief that financial well-being should be accessible and relevant to every generation,” said Simeon Chapin, senior vice president, chief community officer at American Eagle Financial Credit Union. “Andrea and Kayanna’s campaigns deftly demonstrated the role financial education plays in building confidence and community. We are proud to support Andrea and Kayanna as they continue their journeys and look forward to seeing the positive impact they continue to make in their schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.”
The 2026 NextGen Leaders Scholarship campaign generated more than 56,000 views and reached more than 14,000 unique accounts, widely connecting members of the younger generation with relatable financial resources. The initiative was led by American Eagle’s NextGen OneTeam Resource Group in collaboration with ReadyCT and Pathways Academy.
