2026 Arthur F. McIntyre Scholarship Winners
One of the many ways SF Fire gives back to our local communities is by investing in future generations. For more than 15 years, SF Fire has proudly awarded scholarships to members to support their educational pursuits. We are honored to continue this tradition by announcing this year’s recipients – each winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Dozens of applications were received this year, and their stories were inspiring. Following are excerpts from this year’s winning essays:
High School
Amaya Grace Farmer, Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco
Being from a generation that is highly dependent on technology, I understand the need for virtual aspects of banking. However, although AI or virtual banking can help with efficiency, it cannot replace the up-close-and-personal experience that “people helping people” offers in the credit union.
Reggie Fong, Lowell High School, San Francisco
SF Fire was founded by firefighters to serve other firefighters, and that focus was clear from the start. The role of SF Fire has made a positive difference in my family’s life. It allowed my dad to focus on protecting others while knowing his own family was supported.
Iria Keopaseut, Thomas A. Edison High School, San Francisco
Gen Z is changing the way money looks. We don’t really carry cash around anymore, we Venmo everything, tap our phones to pay, and expect apps and instant answers. This makes sense for credit unions to keep up by improving their digital experience without losing their personal experience.
Sitara Keopaseut, Thomas A. Edison High School, San Francisco
For digital natives like me, technology is not something we “learn” about as we get a little older. It is something we grow up with. Yet despite how advanced our world is today, I have learned that the greatest achievements are not technological, but personal. That is why I think credit unions hold a place in the future, because they can be the bridge between technology and the personal nature of the world we live in.
Ruby Maren Yasar, Piedmont High School, Piedmont
Being a single mom with a busy job as a firefighter, my mom made sure I learned to handle money from a young age. Our family chose SF Fire Credit Union, and it became something my mom used to teach me financial skills in a way that fits our lives.
College
Caroline McFadden, Georgetown University
SF Fire’s member-first philosophy and emphasis on trust and personal service align closely with what Gen Z needs. Unlike large banks that often feel transactional or impersonal, SF Fire creates an environment where questions are welcomed and conversations are encouraged. For Gen Z, that human connection is not outdated, it is essential.
Casey Sullivan, Oregon State University
My family has a deep connection to the SFFD, as my grandfather, father, and now brother have all served as San Francisco firefighters, spending countless hours working hard to protect the city they care about. This support is extended to all members of the fire community and has truly provided stability and trust for so many people.
Kailer Tom, Bates College
Technology should function as a bridge for the credit union and its members. Maintaining a sufficient balance between technology and human interaction can increase accessibility for younger generations accustomed to digital interfaces while preserving the warmth and trust older members value. Credit unions do not succeed because they are faster than banks, they succeed because they are more human.
Ella Yasar, University of California, Irvine
Growing up in the Bay Area, I learned early on that community is built through service, trust, and people showing up for one another. That belief comes directly from my mom, who works as a firefighter for the SFFD. Watching her dedicate her life to protecting others shaped my understanding of responsibility and commitment to my community.
Jeremy Tam, Loyola Marymount University
While large national banks often treat young applicants as a series of risk metrics and credit scores, SF Fire operates on a philosophy of “people helping people” that can fundamentally alter a student’s trajectory. By offering student loans with no origination fees and flexible payment options, they prioritize human potential over a FICO score.
Read more in our current Siren Newsletter
