For the second consecutive year, college-bound children of employees at Optio Solutions and affiliate CrossCheck were awarded scholarships from the ACA International Education Foundation (ACAEF). Trevor Arco (Texas) finished in second place while Nicholas Siembieda (Calif.) was among the fourth-place winners.
The recognitions were part of the foundation’s Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship, an annual program that recognizes “individuals employed by or affiliated with the collection industry and their dependent children.” Winner were announced at the 2019 ACA International Convention & Expo.
Thirty-five scholarships were awarded in total: $10,000 for placing first, $5,000 for second, $3,000 for third, and $1,000 for placing fourth (32 winners).
“We are dedicated to empowering future industry leaders by helping them offset the cost of college through every dollar we raise,” said Rick Perr, the chairman of the ACAEF Board of Directors.
Recipients were selected based on their cumulative grade point average and an essay (700 – 1,500 words in length) on a topic related to “the value of consumer credit to our nation’s economy.”
Nicholas Siembieda (right) is the son of Optio Chairman of the Board J. David (Dave) Siembieda.
The younger Siembieda is beginning his first quarter at UC Davis where he plans to study managerial economics or possibly political science.
“I chose UC Davis because it was my best opportunity to pursue higher education at one of the best universities and play D-1 football,” said Nicholas Siembieda. “It felt like a great fit when I visited the campus and met with the coaches.”
Trevor “TJ” Arco is the son of Al Arco, a senior vice president at CrossCheck’s Sales office in Irving, Texas.
“We had a chance to visit Mississippi State last summer and it just seemed like the right school for me,” said Trevor Arco. “The school offers great opportunities and campus life, and will help me succeed. Plus, I love being at an SEC school.”
Arco (below) is currently a business administration major with concentrations in finance and management. He 
will also play intramural basketball and participate in the MSU Day One Leadership Community, a program designed for incoming freshman that includes philanthropic activities and networking with business leaders.
In addition to having an affiliation with the collection industry, eligible students must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours at an accredited college, university, vocational-technical college, or community college within 12 months following receipt of the award. Previous recipients of an ACAEF Loomer-Mortensen Scholarship are eligible to reapply; however, preference is given to new applicants.
Two family members of other Optio and CrossCheck employees received $1,000 scholarships from the 2018 Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship program.
The scholarship honors the memory of ACA member Robert E. Loomer and ACA employee Irvin “Dempsey” Mortensen.
