Independence Bank has surpassed $2 million in total money awarded to Kentucky students as the bank marks the 25th anniversary of its annual scholarship program. The bank awarded $173,026 to 67 students in 2026, a year that also saw a record-breaking applicant pool of more than 600 students.
An in-person reception was held on Tuesday at the bank’s Frederica Street location in Owensboro to recognize recipients and celebrate the milestone.
The program began in 2001 with an initial award of $10,000 and was the vision of founder Charles Reid. It has since grown under the leadership of Chairman Chris Reid into a regional initiative supporting higher education, technical training, and career development.
“We are thrilled to reach this incredible milestone of 25 years of supporting our community’s students,” Independence Bank CEO Greg Mullican said. “This program has always been about more than just financial aid; it’s about helping students reach their dreams through higher education, technical training, or career development. We consider it an honor to give back in such a meaningful way.”
Students and their families from 15 counties attended the reception, which highlighted academic achievement and community involvement among recipients.
The scholarship is open to local high school seniors and is awarded based on a comprehensive review process that includes academic performance, financial need, extracurricular activities, community service, and personal essays.
“The heart of the Independence Bank Scholarship Program has always been about empowering students to reach their full potential,” Independence Bank Charitable Foundation Manager Lauren Patton said. “We believe that every student, regardless of their financial background, deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams. This program is a testament to the bright futures of the young people who will help shape it. We look forward to continuing this tradition for many more years to come.”
Bank officials also credited employees and board members for contributing to the scholarship fund and assisting with the selection process.
The scholarship recipients were:
Top winners
Kamryn Trout, Henderson County High School
Charles A. Reid Scholarship — $15,000
Hannah Holder, Apollo High School
Marjorie Reid Scholarship — $10,000
Will Martin, Owensboro Catholic High School
Marjorie Reid Scholarship — $7,600
Nolan Johnson, Daviess County High School
Chairman’s Scholarship — $10,000
LaShasy Vera, Apollo High School
John Thacker Memorial Scholarship — $10,000
Malachi Patterson, Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Guy Reisz Scholarship — $5,000
Ella Kemp, Graves County High School
Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship — $5,000
Ava Rhodes, Trinity High School
Kenny and Debbie Lanham Scholarship — $5,000
Nick Bell, Murray High School
Agriculture Scholarship — $5,000
Bailey Moore, Henderson County High School
Agriculture Scholarship — $5,000
Sean Rhodes, Apollo High School
Ernie and Lou Davis Scholarship — $5,000
Charles A. Reid finalists
All finalists received $1,500:
- Ellie Chetawatee, Murray High School
- Abby Ladwig, Owensboro High School
- Aziah Overstreet, Carter G. Woodson Academy
- JoLee Rubano, Suda E. Bultner Traditional High School
- Manas Garla, Western Hills High School
- Darcey Sloan, Graves County High School
- Brooklin Preston, McCracken County High School
- Landon Hodges, Hancock County High School
- Kamryn Trout, Henderson County High School
- Emma Duncan, Madisonville North Hopkins High School
- Brianna Lott, Logan County High School
- Maya Revlett, McLean County High School
- Katherine Church, Martha Layne Collins High School
- Claire Ellington, Greenwood High School
- Hunter Redfern, Webster County High School
Full list of 2026 scholarships by county
Calloway County
- Ellie Chetawatee, Murray High School — $500
- Claire Wilcher, Murray High School — $1,000
- Aubrey Robinson, Murray High School — $1,000
- Brayan Ventura, Calloway County High School — $1,000
- Halle Allred, Calloway County High School — $1,000
- Abby Hathcock, Calloway County High School — $1,000
Daviess County
- Abby Ladwig, Owensboro High School — $450
- Karis Colbert, Owensboro Catholic High School — $1,000
- Katie Beth Osborne, Homeschool — $1,000
- Mayme Powell, Owensboro Catholic High School — $1,000
- Samuel Busse, Owensboro High School — $1,000
Fayette County
- Aziah Overstreet, Carter G. Woodson Academy — $1,600
- Faustin Luka, Carter G. Woodson Academy — $1,600
- Kitty Crovo, Lafayette High School — $1,600
Franklin County
- Manas Garla, Western Hills High School — $1,700
- Eli Lee, Western Hills High School — $1,000
- Abrianna Sutherland, Frankfort Christian Academy — $1,000
Graves County
- Drake Ramey, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Aleya Burnett, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Reid Wheeler, Mayfield High School — $1,000
- Anna Taylor, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Ella Kemp, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Brayden Kemp, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Ally Goodman, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Jalayah Mayes, Mayfield High School — $1,000
- Kaydince DeJesus, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Kyler Simpson, Mayfield High School — $1,776
- Darcey Sloan, Graves County High School — $1,000
- Jaiden McClure, Graves County High School — $1,000
Hancock County
- Landon Hodges, Hancock County High School — $1,800
Henderson County
- Jaedyn Sights, Henderson County High School — $4,000
- Harper Scott, Henderson County High School — $1,500
Hopkins County
- Karson Starks, Madisonville North Hopkins High School — $1,000
- Virginia Woehler, Madisonville North Hopkins High School — $1,000
- Alexavier Garrott, Madisonville North Hopkins High School — $1,500
- Avery Crane, Madisonville North Hopkins High School — $1,500
Jefferson County
- Brooklyn Beachem, Southern High School — $1,500
- Nikita Nair, Assumption High School — $1,500
- Vivian Walters, Sacred Heart Academy — $2,500
Logan County
- Brianna Lott, Logan County High School — $2,500
McCracken County
- Brooklin Preston, McCracken County High School — $1,250
- Maddox O’Neal, McCracken County High School — $1,000
- Abby Sullivan, St. Mary High School — $1,000
- Abel Prude, Upward Call Christian School — $1,000
- Ana Lynn Farris, McCracken County High School — $1,000
McLean County
- Maya Revlett, McLean County High School — $1,750
Shelby County
- Kianna Davis, Shelby County High School — $1,500
- Loryn Lea, Martha Layne Collins High School — $1,500
Warren County
- Wilfred Larios, Warren Central High School — $1,000
- Cole Robertson, Bowling Green High School — $1,000
- Wyatt Duke, Warren East High School — $1,000
Webster County
- Hunter Redfern, Webster County High School — $1,200
- Katherine Rivera, Webster County High School — $1,200
