In a ceremony that included an inspirational message focused on the importance of earning a college education, Independence Bank CEO Chris Reid encouraged the Independence Bank scholarship recipients, along with their friends and family members in attendance, to use their future educational experiences as opportunities to do something good for their communities, important for the future and worthwhile for themselves.
In total, Independence Bank awarded $133,500 in scholarships Wednesday night, pushing the corporation past the million-dollar threshold in awarded scholarship funds. There were 53 students from 12 different counties across the state, including Daviess, that were awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $10,000.
“These scholarships tonight are not only funded by Independence Bank, but also funded by our director, individuals and our employees,” Reid said.
The Independence Bank scholarship program began in 2001 as the dying wish of former CEO Charles Reid who used his Naval service and GI Bill to put himself through Brescia University.
Scholarships have since been awarded in his honor to students attending high school or home school in the markets the bank serves as Charles “didn’t want anyone to have to go through what he went through” in order to obtain an education.
Chris’s daughter and Independence Bank Charitable Foundations Manager Lauren Patton announced scholarship winners throughout the evening.
Six different students from local area high schools were awarded scholarships. Winners of the Daviess County Community Board Scholarship included Emily Haleman of Owensboro Catholic High School ($1,800), Trevor Payne of Apollo High School ($1,800), Savannah Gatton of Owensboro High School ($2,000) and Zach Cecil of Owensboro Catholic High School ($2,000).
Two local students were awarded Revolutionary Scholarships on behalf of Reid, including Faith Porter of Daviess County High School ($2,500) and Genarose Jones of Owensboro Catholic High School ($2,500).
Thirteen students were selected as finalists for the $15,000 Charles A. Reid Scholarship. Locally, two students were among the finalists, including Savannah Gatton (OHS) and Zach Cecil (OCHS).
“This year was different,” Reid said. “These are the brightest students I’ve seen.”
Independence Bank celebrated $1,085,300 in scholarships awarded by releasing green, white and gold balloons from the ceiling and onto the crowd below, before leaving the students with some final words.
Calling this group of scholarship recipients the “best class that has ever come through here,” Patton told the students that she looked forward to seeing them succeed in both their collegiate careers and in their lives afterward.
Bridget Reid, marketing director for Independence Bank, said she was also excited about what the future holds for these students.
“We have a lot of students that have used those dollars and then come back and invested in their communities,” Bridget said. “It’s rewarding to know that they’ve taken that education and brought that back to their home town.”
