Lanier High School Branch - MAX Student Financial Services

The Poets’ Path to Success

Lanier High School has been educating students for more than 100 years. MAX Credit Union is proud to employ former Poets and have provided their success stories below as an inspiration to you. Plus, a few Lanier students have gone on to achieve fame outside of the River Region. Read below to hear their stories and be sure to check back for more throughout the school year.

You too can become a success and make an impact on the community around you! We want to hear what impact you're making now. Visit the MAX branch inside Lanier High School to tell us about it! Students are welcomed to write success stories and other inspiring thoughts on our community chalkboard that's located inside the MAX branch.

MAX associate Veleta Croskey-Bolling
Once a Poet...Always a Poet!

High school is always a bit scary your first year because of all of the new uncertainties. You're leaving your comfort zone of the past three years and entering into new territory. All of a sudden, you're the new kid on the block again and you wonder if you'll fit in and make new friends. After my first day of high school at Lanier, all of these questions were answered...the teachers were really nice and helpful and the other students were actually quite friendly. Some of my closest and dearest friends today can be traced back to my years at Lanier.

My name is Veleta Croskey-Bolling and I am a graduate of the Sidney Lanier Class of 1989. As a Poet, I was involved in many activities during my high school years. I took several AP classes to help prepare me for college and graduated with an Advanced Diploma. Not only were academics very important, but so were social outlets. Going to dances, football, basketball & baseball games, as well as hanging out with friends were great ways to learn social skills and how to be diplomatic. I was also a member of the French Club, Student Council and 'Blue & White'. I was voted 10th, 11th and 12th grade favorites. I was Homecoming Queen Runner-up and chosen as Miss Lanier. I will always cherish the friendships that were made and the memories that will last a lifetime! Everything I learned and experienced at Lanier was a stepping stone to further my education. After graduation, I attended the University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE) and majored in Political Science with a minor in African-American Studies. There, I was a Bama Belle (football hostess) for 4 years and served as a R.A. in my dorm.

Before coming to MAX eight years ago, I started my career in politics and state government by working in the Attorney General's Office, the Lieutenant Governor's Office, the Governor's Office and ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs). I've also worked in the nonprofit sector for Alabama Community Healthcare Network and from home for a small business, Wolfix, Inc.

Not only do I look forward to everything life has to offer me, but I feel it's my duty to give back. Luke 6:38 says, "Give and it shall be given unto you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. For the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." For the past 15 years I've worked in the nursery at Christian Life Church; I've been the MAX Team Captain/Coordinator for the March of Dimes since 2004; I've served on the PTA or been a Room Mom at Brewbaker Primary, Wilson Elementary and Churchill Academy; and I assist with different outreach programs.

To this day I still carry with me the values, life lessons and memories from the time I spent walking the halls of 'The Castle'...once a Poet, always a Poet!

MAX Associate Sandra Stenger
Graduated Lanier High School (LAMP) 1989

Hopefully everyone looks back to their high school days with fond memories; I know I do. In addition to making lifelong friends, I was also able to meet my future husband who I have been happily married to for 21 years! At the beginning of this past summer, a core group of my high school girlfriends went on a beach trip together to reconnect through fun and fellowship. We regularly communicate through emails and annual Christmas cards, but it was so special to be able to have the opportunity to reminisce and share new stories.

During your high school days, you experience so many different things and changes; it is vital to have a solid support system. My parents, teachers and friends were all supportive and encouraged me to achieve goals and then shared in celebrating successes while working through the more challenging times. High school helped me to develop good project skills, organization, responsibility and a better understanding of consequences and accountability. The courses I took in high school provided a solid base that prepared me for college.

Having learned to multi-task in high school, I was able to work full-time at MAX Credit Union while attending college at night. I was fortunate to be able to work for a company that encouraged college education for upward mobility. Shortly after receiving my degree from Auburn University Montgomery in Human Resource Management, I was provided the opportunity to work in the Human Resources Department and have a part of that department for more than 20 years where I currently serve as the Vice President.

Giving back to the community is very important to me and I take great pride in that MAX encourages community involvement. Being active with the organizations below have led to valuable relationships and served as wonderful resources that assist me both personally and professionally. I'm grateful to work for a well-respected organization and hopefully am able to give back to the community from which I have received so much.

Community Involvement

Auburn University at Montgomery Cheerleader 1989-1990
Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority 1989-1990
March of Dimes Board Member 1999-2001
School-to-Career Board Member 2000-2002
Partners in Education 2000-2011
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 2001-Present
Society for Human Resource Management State Council 2008- Present
First Baptist Church In-Reach Leader 2009-Present
MAX4Kids Foundation Vice President 2003-Present
Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) Secretary 2009-Present

Kathryn C. Thornton
A former NASA astronaut and American scientist, Kathryn Cordell Thornton is a 1970 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. According to Wikipedia, Dr. Thornton has more than 975 hours in space, including 21 hours of extravehicular activity. She is currently the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applies Science.

After her graduation from Lanier High School, Kathryn Thornton went on to pursue a bachelor of science degree in physics from Auburn University in 1974, a master of science degree in physics from the University of Virginia in 1977, and a doctorate of philosophy in physics from the University of Virginia in 1979.

Selected by NASA in May 1984, Dr. Thornton became an astronaut in July 1985. Her technical assignments have included flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), serving as a team member of the Vehicle Integration Test Team (VITT) at Kennedy Space Center, and as a spacecraft communicator. A veteran of three space flights, Dr. Thornton flew on STS-33 in 1989, STS-49 in 1992, and STS-61 in 1993.

Bart Starr
According to Wikipedia, Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr tried out for the Sidney Lanier High Scholl football team during his sophomore year, but decided to quit after only two weeks. His father gave him the option of playing football or working in the family garden; Starr choose to return to the football field. In his junior year, the starting quarterback broke his leg and Starr became the starter. He led Lanier to an undefeated season and in his senior year, he was named all-state and All-American and received college scholarship offers from across the country.

Bart Starr played at the University of Alabama from 1952 to 1956 and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1956 draft where he shined as their quarterback until 1971. He went on to become Green Bay's head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52-76-3.

He was named the Most Valuable Player of the first two Super Bowls and earned four Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1977. Starr also has an NFL award named after him. The Bart Starr Award is given annually, by a panel of judges, to an NFL player of outstanding character.

Smart Money Management Tips

Opening an account is just the first of many steps to succeeding in your financial journey. Safeguarding that account and its information is a vital part in achieving success and the smart tips below will get you on your way.

• Keep your account number confidential. No one other than your parents or legal guardians should have access to that information. That number belongs to you and ONLY YOU!
• Keep your ATM and/or Check card in a secure location. No one other than your parents or legal guardians should have access to your cards. 
• Shred or file in a secure location any documents containing personal information, including your account number.
• Don't leave your wallet or personal information lying around-even at home.
• When you sign receipts, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total. Save your receipts until you reconcile them with your statements and then shred them.
• Never give your personal information, such as your account number or social security number, to anyone over the phone unless you initiate the call. 
• Personal email is not secure. Never give your personal information, such as your account number or social security number, to anyone via email. 
• Always keep PINS for your ATM/Check cards completely confidential. Don't write PINS on your cards or carry them with you.
• Review all monthly statements carefully & report unauthorized charges immediately. 
• When it's time to clean out your financial files, shred anything that has your personal information on it.
• On your computer, install & use firewall or anti-virus software.
• When you buy something on the Internet, check that the page is secure before entering your personal information. You should see an icon of a closed padlock or an unbroken key in the bottom right hand corner of the browser. 
• Sign new debit/credit cards as soon as you receive them, cut up & disregard the expired cards. Shred unwanted "pre-approved" applications.

These smart tips aren't all inclusive and other situations may arise. If you have any questions regarding safeguarding your account, please see a MAX associate at the Lanier Branch for more information.

Student Resources

As a student, you shouldn’t have to wade through mountains of information to find the financial services that are right for you. You’ve come to the right place to find what you need including MAX’s Student Check account, MAX VISA® Check Card and credit card, and the myMAX Online Branch

Student Check

Checking at MAX gives you more flexibility. MAX offers many options allowing you to customize your checking to the way you live. Our Student Check is a free checking account with no minimum balance requirements and no “per transaction” charge. This account may be opened at the age of 14 with a qualified guarantor. All you need to open this account is $50. The extra-low monthly service fee is waived for all students aged 14-22. This exemption expires on your 23rd birthday or when your studies cease. Learn more about Student Checking »

MAX also offers students the ability to earn interest on their checking accounts with Me Checking®, a free, no minimum balance checking account. Visit the Me Checking® page to find out if you qualify.

Two of our favorites for students are Student Check and Me Checking®, but you can find a complete list here.

MAX Visa® Check Card

If you’re tired of writing checks and showing I.D.s, let the MAX Check Card do the work for you. The MAX Check Card is free for qualified members.

It’s accepted anywhere that accepts VISA, but it’s not a credit card – it’s a plastic check! Purchases are deducted from your MAX checking account the same way they are when you write a check. The best advantage is that there is no monthly fee and no annual fee with the MAX Check Card. Your MAX Check Card also doubles as an ATM card! The MAX Check Card gives you unlimited use of MAX's ATM machines, as well as access to your accounts at over 50 additional locations in the Montgomery area. Learn more about the MAX Check Card »

JennyMAX®

Access your account information with your cell phone by calling JennyMAX, our telephone banking system. With JennyMAX, you can make account balance inquiries, clear check inquiries, as well as conduct financial transactions 24-7! JennyMAX features easy menu operations or transaction code selection. Call 334-270-1111 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. Learn more JennyMAX Telephone Banking »

MAX VISA® Classic

The MAX VISA® Classic card has a low 12.5% annual percentage rate (APR). The card is accepted worldwide for purchases, services and cash advances. There is no annual fee and no interest charged on card purchases if the balance is paid within 25 days from the date of billing. Learn more about MAX VISA® Classic »

myMAX Online Branch

The MyMAX Online Branch gives you access to your MAX accounts online. It’s simple and easy to use. It allows you to view your balance when you want, with no lines and no waiting! You can view your entire account history, make transfers between MAX accounts, view your MAX credit card statement and even pay bills with Bill Pay. Bill Pay is free with eStatements, an online version of your printed account statements.

MyMAX Online Branch is cost-effective, too. The low monthly service fee of $1.95 is waived for members who have one of the following services at MAX: direct deposit, a checking account, credit card, loan, certificate account, IRA, Private Reserve Account or a deposit with MAX of $5,000 or greater. Learn more about the myMAX Online Branch »