RIMBA Announces Scholarship Winners

WARWICK, RI (October 20, 2021) – The Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Future of Rhode Island Scholarship Award.

The winners are: Brooklyn Cristina Poirier, attending the University of Rochester; William Jacob Arena, attending the University of Rhode Island; and Nicholas Taylor Archambault, attending Nova Southeastern University.

“Being able to give back to our members has been quite rewarding but pales in comparison to the pride our Board feels regarding the caliber and character of our scholarship recipients. These traits are so wonderfully represented by all three of this year’s scholarship winners. They truly are the Future of Rhode Island,” said Al Grant, the President of the Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association (RIMBA).

In order to be eligible, students must be a high school senior or in college with one year left and a son, daughter, or grandchild of an employee at a RIMBA member organization. To be considered, students must fill out an application and submit an essay.

All three winners are accomplished students who have graduated at the top of their classes. (See below for individual bios.)

Each scholarship award is $1,000 and can be applied towards tuition or any other college- or vocational school-related expense, such as housing or books. The Future of Rhode Island Scholarship Award was launched five years ago.

“The support and enthusiasm for the program has been tremendous right from the start and due to this, three years ago, we were able to increase our awards from one per year to three,” said Grant, who also serves as chair of the scholarship committee.

To date, $14,000 in scholarships have been awarded. Colleges attended by recipients include Harvard, Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania, Williams College, Brown, the University of Rhode Island, and Providence College.

2021 Future of Rhode Island Scholarship Winners

Brooklyn Cristina Poirier is a LaSalle Academy graduate who started studying education this fall at the University of Rochester. While at LaSalle, she earned the National Spanish Exam silver medal three times, was a member of the National Honor Society, won the Smith College Book Award, and was a theater poster design competition winner for two years. Her interests include theater, social issues, drawing, making animated videos, studying foreign languages, and working on her novel. She is the daughter of Chrestina and Daniel Poirier (Navigant Credit Union).

William Jacob Arena is a graduate of Portsmouth High School entering his third year at the University of Rhode Island where he is studying pharmaceutical science and French. For the 2019-2020 school year he was on the dean’s list and he is also the recipient of the Beatrice S. Demers Fellowship recipient and Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. His interests include writing, foreign languages, and fitness. He is the son of Suzanne Arena (Washington Trust).

Nicholas Taylor Archambault is a graduate of Narragansett High School entering Nova Southeastern University where he will study political science. At Narragansett High, he was 2019 Ethics Bowl State Champion, was recognized by the Providence Journal as an All Division Indoor Track and Field athlete for the 2018-2019 school year, and was on the Honor Roll. He served as Class Vice President, Secretary of National Honor Society, and Secretary of the Student Council. He also is the recipient of the The George Estimin Young Leaders Award and the Presidential Scholarship. He is the son of Brenda Hayden (Rhode Island Housing).

About Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association

The Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association is dedicated to promoting and sustaining responsible home lending in Rhode Island. The mortgage association has over 90 corporate members, which represent thousands of mortgage lenders throughout the state who help businesses and people secure mortgages. As part of its overarching plan to create a better housing market, RIMBA regularly promotes educational initiatives, addresses legislative challenges, and strives to cultivate membership growth. For more information about RIMBA, visit: rimba.org.