Independence Bank awarded $155,000 in scholarships to students from their 12-county service area during a virtual reception Thursday, April 29th, bringing the total amount of scholarships awarded by the Bank since the 2001 inception of the program to $1,425,700.

The Independence Bank Scholarship Program began in 2001 as a dream of the late Charles A. Reid, founding partner and father of current CEO, Chris Reid. Before his passing, Charles requested that the scholarship program be built to provide an opportunity for deserving high school students in need to have the opportunity to receive a college education.

“It was his dream to be able to provide students like himself who wanted to make the world a better place with the opportunity to get a college education, no matter their circumstances,” said Chris Reid, CEO. “And I know if he were here today, he would be so proud of what our scholarship program has accomplished.”

The very first scholarship given was in the amount of $10,000. Since then, well over $1 million has been awarded to high school seniors to help make their dreams of a college education come true. Applicants are judged based on a submitted essay, high school grades, ACT scores, financial need, extracurricular activities, community involvement and personal interviews.

“Our recipients are extraordinary and we know that goes well beyond just their grade point average,” said Lauren Patton, Charitable Foundation Manager. “We look at our applicants as a whole and have seen over the years that some of the most worthy recipients are often overlooked by other scholarship programs. We are so excited to see this year’s group complete the “Here For Good” challenge and give their hometowns just one more reason to feel proud.”

In an interesting twist, the Bank has presented a challenge to the recipients and an opportunity to win an additional $1,776 on top of their existing scholarship. Each student was given $100 with simple instructions to use it for good in the communities they call home.

“As a Bank, we have never just been about the transaction, rather always the relationship,” explains Independence Bank President, Jacob Reid. “That relationship has guided how we do business today and we believe that by challenging our recipients to find a need in their community and step into action to solve it, we are helping them understand a great lesson about social responsibility and giving back to those around you.”

The Independence Bank Scholarship program is comprised of over 50 scholarships that applicants are eligible to receive based on specified criteria; many honoring the founding partners of Independence Bank and their families.

In addition, Independence Bank’s Community Board members fund scholarships that are awarded to a student in their individual markets and the recipients are chosen by the members of the local community board.

For the 2020 -2021 school year, scholarships were awarded to the following students:

Charles A Reid Scholarship – $15,000
The Charles A. Reid Scholarship is the original scholarship that started the Independence Bank program in 2001. It is given in honor of the late Charles A Reid, former Independence Bank President. His wish was to develop a scholarship program so that students could continue their pursuit of a higher education, something he placed the utmost importance on. A finalist is chosen from each market that Independence Bank serves. Each finalist receives a $500 Ernie and Martine Davis Scholarship as well as a $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship. One winner is selected based on an interview process and receives $15,000.

Winner:
Caitlyn Blandford, Apollo High School
Finalists:
Julia McClard, Calloway County High School
Caitlyn Blandford, Apollo High School
Bonnie Beth Olson, Owensboro High School
Virginia (Ginny) Lyle, Western Hills High School
Colton Massey, Mayfield High School
Alex Kratzer, Hancock County High School
Madison Scott, Henderson County High School
Andrew (Drew) Belcher, Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Andrew Dunn, DuPont Manual High School
Mason Hancock, McCracken County High School
Aaron Ring, McLean County High School
Allison (Ally) Bush, Greenwood High School
Jacelyn Deibler, Webster County High School

CEO Scholarship – $15,000
The CEO scholarship is funded and selected by current CEO Chris Reid and his wife Janet Reid, retired Independence Bank COO. This recipient shows true character, inspires others and has proven to be a leader in all that they do.
Max Holder, Apollo High School
Marjorie Reid Scholarship – $10,000
Marjorie Reid is the wife of the late Charles A. Reid, and was one of the founding partners of Independence Bank. Mrs. Reid awards this scholarship to a child or grandchild of an Independence Bank employee or director so that the pursuit of higher education is extended to the Independence Bank family.
Caroline Ashby, Apollo High School, daughter of Pete Ashby, Franklin Aviation

Ag Scholarship – $5,000
Sarah Lyell, Graves County High School

Doe Anderson Scholarship – $500
Elizabeth (Beth) Merrill, Home School

Revolutionary Scholarship – $1,000 (per recipient)
Madison Scott, Henderson County High School
Virginia (Ginny) Lyle, Western Hills High School
Madison Scott, Henderson County High School

Revolution Square Trade Scholarship – $1,000 (per recipient)
Brooke Lawson, Mayfield High School
Ryleigh Smithson, Graves County High School

Community Board Scholarships
The Community Board Scholarships are funded entirely by Independence Bank’s local community boards in each market. Applicants are reviewed by a committee of local employees in each market.
Lila Munsey, Murray High School, Calloway County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Lexan Roberts, Calloway County High School, Calloway County Community Board Scholarship – $1,500
Claire Whitaker, Murray High School, Calloway County Community Board Scholarship – $1,500
Annabel Wilmurth, Calloway County High School, Calloway County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Julia McLard, Calloway County High School, Calloway County Community Board Scholarship – $1,250
Caitlyn Bell, Owensboro Innovation Academy | Daviess County High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
William (Evan) Carpenter, Owensboro Innovation Academy | Daviess County High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Ashlyn Dube, Owensboro High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Harold Fuchs, Daviess County High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Teresa Klee, Apollo High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Luke Malott, Apollo High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Caitlyn Blandford, Apollo High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Bonnie Beth Olson, Owensboro High School, Daviess County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Joshua Kurra, Western Hills High School, Franklin County Community Board Scholarship – $1,800
Taylor Flowers, Graves County High School, Graves County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Cynthia Mateo, Mayfield High School, Graves County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Colton Massey, Mayfield High School, Graves County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Alex Kratzer, Hancock County High School, Hancock County Community Board Scholarship – $1,450
William (Jack) Whitmore, Henderson County High School, Henderson County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Madison Scott, Henderson County High School, Henderson County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Dylan Dawson, Dawson Springs High School, Hopkins County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Andrew (Drew) Belcher, Madisonville North Hopkins High School, Hopkins County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Jenna Baldwin, Male Traditional High School, Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship – $750
Kennedy Howard, Eastern High School, Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship – $750
Nicolas (Nico) Osborn, Trinity High School, Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship – $750
Andrew Dunn, DuPont Manual High school, Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship – $750
Avery Bailey, McCracken County High School, McCracken County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Grace Bakehouse, Paducah Tilghman High School, McCracken County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Olivia Carter, McCracken County High School, McCracken County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
James (Elliot) Evans, McLean County High School, McLean County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Gabriel Whitmer, McLean County High School, McLean County Community Board Scholarship – $1,000
Abigail (Abby) Abrams, South Warren High School, Warren County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Charles (Chas) Brassell, Homeschooled, Warren County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Anna Neal, Bowling Green High School, Warren County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Htee Paw, Warren Central High School, Warren County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Claire Young, Warren East High School, Warren County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Allison (Ally) Bush, Greenwood High School, Warren County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Seth Ranes, Webster County High School, Webster County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Hannah Corbin, Webster County High School, Webster County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Preston Hill, Webster County High School, Webster County Community Board Scholarship – $500
Hope Shepherd, Webster County High School, Webster County Community Board Scholarship – $500

Chairman’s Scholarship – $5,000
The recipient of the Chairman’s scholarship is selected from the 13 finalists who interviewed for the Charles A. Reid Scholarship.
Andrew Dunn, DuPont Manual High School

President’s Scholarship – $5,000
The recipient of the President’s scholarships has shown strong commitment and ties to their community and leads with a servant’s heart.

Matthew Miller, McLean County High School

Maurice Reisz Memorial Scholarship – $10,000
Maurice E. Reisz was a co-founder of Independence Bank and served as a Chairman of the Independence Bank board. He was also a local pharmacist in Daviess County. The Maurice E. Reisz Memorial Scholarship was intended for a student pursuing a pharmacy degree.
Hailey Stokes, Hopkins County Central High School

Guy Reisz Memorial Scholarship – $10,000
Guy Reisz served as an Independence Bank board of director and this scholarship was intended for a student attending Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro.

Anslee Hopewell, Apollo High School

Derek Hart Memorial Scholarship – $1,000
This scholarship is funded by Danny and Melva Hart of Hickory, KY in memory of their son. The scholarship is awarded to a Graves County student with hopes of returning to the family farm.
Nathan Boles, Graves County High School

Danny Flood Memorial Scholarship – $2,000
Alexandria (Lexie) Hawkins, Graves County High School

Danny Peyton Memorial Scholarship – $1,250 (per receipent)
This scholarship is funded by Independence Bank’s Farm to Fork Dinner in Madisonville and awarded to an FFA student pursuing a degree in agriculture.
Olivia Buriss, Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Keli Reynolds, Hopkins County Central High School

Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship- $3,000
Ernie Davis Jr. has been a member of our Board of Directors for 20 years. He is co-owner of Ernie Davis & Sons and serves as the Bank’s building chairman. Ernie wanted to be a part of the Independence Bank Scholarship Program because “Ernie Davis and Sons,” a company which was founded by his parents, wanted to give back to the community that has supported them over the years. The scholarship is in honor of the late Mr. and Mrs. Davis.

Jacelyn Deibler, Webster County High School

Lanham Family Scholarship- $3,000
This scholarship is funded by John and Wanda Lanham, Tony and Sandy Lanham, and Kenny and Debbie Lanham. The Lanham Family have been blessed to be involved in various businesses for over 35 years, so the scholarship is intended for a student pursuing a business major.
Haven Riley, Hancock County High School

William and Sherry O’Bryan Scholarship $2,000 (per recipient)
Dr. William and Sherry O’Bryan have committed their lives to the community through their passion of agriculture and nursing. The scholarship honors the work they have done and will continue to do.
Madeline Castlen, Owensboro Catholic High School
Aubrey Mills, Daviess County High School
Kloee Phelps, Daviess County High School
Savannah French, Owensboro Catholic High School
Seth Ranes, Webster County High School

Independence Bank is a regional community bank with 25 locations in Calloway, Daviess, Franklin, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, Jefferson, McCracken, McLean, Warren and Webster counties. One of the fastest growing banks in Kentucky and fifth largest, Independence Bank possesses the size and experience to serve the largest and most complex clients and offers trust and investment services and agricultural services. As a banking revolution for the people, by the people, central to Independence Bank’s mission is doing what is right and fair for customers, communities and employees. Independence Bank has been recognized in multiple categories by the American Bankers Association, including being named a Top Performing Bank and Best Bank to Work For, for 11 consecutive years, a Best Place to Work in Kentucky for 12 years and has assets totaling over $3 billion.