Mechanics Cooperative awards scholarships

TAUNTON – Mechanics Cooperative Bank has named the three recipients of its 2014 bank scholarships, awarded annually to support students who have excelled at academics, athletics and community service. The scholarships were created in memory of Raymond H. Bibeau, the president and CEO of Lafayette Savings Bank for more than 25 years after the merger of Lafayette and Mechanics Cooperative Bank in 2008.
Jeremy Filteau, a graduate of Bridgewater Raynham Regional High School attending Worchester Polytechnic Institute, received $1,500 from the scholarship. In addition to a strong academic and extracurricular career in school, Filteau volunteered at the Taunton Animal and Mainspring Homeless Shelters, according to the bank.
Emily Williams, a student at Skidmore College, received $1,000 from the scholarship. The graduate of Coyle & Cassidy High School volunteered at the Coyle & Cassidy Food Pantry and the Unitarian Universalist Church along with taking part in the school’s Student-to-Student Tutoring program.
The final scholarship for $1,000 went to Michael Monte, a graduate of Somerset Berkley High School attending Northeastern University. In addition to playing soccer and taking part in Peer Leadership activities at school, Monte was a member of the Somerset Berkley High Big Buddy Program in support of at-risk youth.
“Students like Jeremy, Emily and Michael are the reason we offer these scholarships,” said Mechanics Cooperative Bank President and CEO Joseph T. Baptista Jr. “Their commitment to success, their school, the community and the pursuit of higher education is valued and appreciated by Mechanics Cooperative Bank. … We are positive these students will go on to do great things.” Founded in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank, with eight Bristol County, Mass., locations