A total of 16 seniors from local high schools are the recipients of $84,000 in scholarships awarded by Independence Bank.
The scholarships are part of a program that started in 2001 and has grown to encompass more than $1 million in funds given to local students. However, the program looked a little different with the absence of their annual reception and changes to the application process this year.
Typically, students apply online by a given deadline and then finalists are selected after in-person interviews with 16-20 Independence Bank employees and directors. Finalists and their families then attend a reception held at Independence Bank in Owensboro to find out what awards they have received.
This year, however, phone and FaceTime interviews were conducted instead.
“We wanted to continue to find a way to facilitate the program and recognize those students who were selected,” said Lauren Patton, Charitable Foundation Manager. “They are already giving up so much of the ‘traditional’ graduation celebrations that we wanted to make sure they knew how much we supported them and were proud of their accomplishments.”
After students were selected as the recipients of particular scholarships, team members had the privilege of being able to call and personally congratulate those receiving scholarships in one-on-one conversations.
The Independence Bank Scholarship program is comprised of more than 50 scholarships based on specified criteria — many honoring the founding partners of Independence Bank and their families.
Applicants are judged based on a submitted essay, high school grades, ACT scores, financial need, extracurricular activities, community involvement and personal interviews.
Another unique aspect of the program is the funding of the Community Board Scholarships. While a number of the scholarships are funded through the Independence Bank Foundation, those awarded by the Community Board of Directors in each market the Bank serves are fully funded by the members of the board.
“Our Community Board of Directors play such an integral part in what we do and who we are as a Bank, it only makes sense that they be involved in the scholarship program as well,” said Jacob Reid, President. “They are actively involved in reviewing applicants from their markets and facilitating the interviews with students to learn more about them and their circumstances.”
For the 2020 year, scholarships were awarded to the following local students:
Charles A Reid Scholarship finalists
Kevin Payne, OHS ($1,000)
Mason Thompson, DCHS ($1,000)
Marjorie Reid Scholarship
Drew Hartz, OCHS ($10,000)
Grant Oller, DCHS ($10,000)
Allison Story, OCHS ($2,000)
Chris and Janet Reid Scholarship
Elysia Bartley, DCHS ($5,000)
Cecelia Clemens, OCHS ($10,000)
Katherine Logan, OCHS ($5,000)
Lily Moore, OCHS ($5,000)
Allie Phelps, DCHS ($5,000)
Clayton Rhoads, OHS ($5,000)
Revolutionary Scholarship
Nicholas Belcher, OHS ($2,000)
Daviess County Community Board Scholarship
Bethany Mayfield, OCHS ($3,000)
Kevin Payne, OHS ($3,000)
Alayna Petri, DCHS ($2,000)
Mason Thompson, DCHS ($2,000)
Guy Reisz Memorial Scholarship
Cole Richards, DCHS ($10,000)
Ernie and Martine Davis
Holly Payne, DCHS ($3,000)
