Independence Bank Awards $129,476 in Scholarships
More Than Five Dozen Local Students Receive Assistance
May 9th, 2023
68 Kentucky high school students from the 2023 graduating class have earned scholarship money to continue their post-secondary education. Independence Bank held its annual reception on the evening of Tuesday, May 9th, to make this announcement. The virtual video stream celebration included winners from all 15 counties across the Bank’s footprint.
425 applications were received and reviewed. Submissions are judged based on an essay, high school grades, ACT scores, financial need, extracurricular activities, community involvement and personal remarks.
“Through reading the written submissions and hearing from the students, we develop a stronger connection to their goals, aspirations and dreams,” Lauren Patton, Director of Charitable Giving explained. “In addition to being part of the scoring process, it makes me incredibly proud that so much of our Bank family get involved by taking time to help review and provide input. It is a total team effort from so many folks who have a common goal of providing a better future for these students.”
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 death in 2001, 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. The very first scholarship given was in the amount of $10,000. Since then, more than $1.7 million has been awarded.
“These are our communities’ next generation of leaders, contributors and change makers,” Chris Reid, Independence Bank Chairman and CEO stated. “For more than two decades, this scholarship program has provided money to standout students. It is incredibly humbling, yet rewarding, to hear and read through the stories of success, struggle, strength and sincerity that surface throughout this process. We applaud their efforts and hope that these allocations ease some budgetary burdens.”
More than 90 scholarships were awarded to applicants this year through the Independence Bank Scholarship Program. A few outstanding students received more than one scholarship. Select categories honor the life and legacies of both Independence Bank founding partners and their families.
“Several of our board members put money in the pot out of their own pockets,” Reid added. “Over the years, we’ve seen prior winners obtain their degrees and launch successful careers. It is always extra special when they choose to stay in the Commonwealth. This is a legacy that makes a lasting impression. It’s in our history, our hearts and our commitment hereafter.”
Top Winners:
Addaley Smith Mayfield High School
Charles A. Reid Scholarship $15,000
Mollie Pride Owensboro Catholic High School
Marjorie Reid Scholarship $10,000
Aleah McCaslin McLean County High School
Guy Reisz Scholarship $10,000
Mary-Katherine Westerfield Daviess County High School
Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship $10,000
Garrett West Webster County High School
Chairman’s Scholarship $5,000
Emma Arnett Calloway County High School
Agriculture Scholarship $5,000
Chloe Sims Daviess County High School
Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $3,000
Kayla Thomson Daviess County High School
Lanham Family Business Scholarship $3,000
Full list of 2023 Scholarship Winners by County:
CALLOWAY COUNTY
Hannah Nix Calloway County High School
Calloway County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Gage Sokolowski Murray High School
Calloway County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Andrew Adams Calloway County High School
Calloway County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Casey Monteleone Calloway County High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Kyra Jones Murray High School
Calloway County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Emma Arnett Calloway County High School
Agriculture Scholarship $5,000
DAVIESS COUNTY
Chloe Sims Daviess County High School
Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $3,000
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Decker Renfrow Daviess County High School
Daviess County Community Board Scholarship $2,800
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Amelia Tucker Apollo High School
Daviess County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Hannah Boehman Daviess County High School
Daviess County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Mollie Pride Owensboro Catholic High School
Marjorie Reid Scholarship $10,000
Mary-Katherine Westerfield Daviess County High School
Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship $10,000
Kayla Thomson Daviess County High School
Lanham Family Business Scholarship $3,000
FAYETTE COUNTY
Claire Ackerman Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Fayette County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Caroline Groth Lafayette Senior High school
Fayette County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
John Andrew Segebarth Tates Creek High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Rebecca Vaught Frankfort High School
Franklin County Community Board Scholarship $1,776
Olivia Barker Western Hills High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
GRAVES COUNTY
Addaley Smith Mayfield High School
Charles A. Reid Winner $15,000
Graves County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Jayden Hodges Graves County High School
Graves County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Jaelyn Morris Graves County High School
Graves County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Maggi Davison Graves County High School
Revolution Square Staff Vocational Scholarship $1,000
Alexis Steinhoff Graves County High School
Revolution Square Staff Vocational Scholarship $1,000
Lexi Todd Mayfield High School
James R. Cash Memorial Scholarship $500
Drayden Treas Mayfield High School
James R. Cash Memorial Scholarship $1,000
Jaelyn Thompson Graves County High School
James R. Cash Memorial Scholarship $1,000
Jayden Hester Graves County High School
Danny Flood Memorial Scholarship $500
Madison Kinsey Graves County High School
Danny Flood Memorial Scholarship $1,000
HANCOCK COUNTY
Laura Wheatley Hancock County High School
Hancock County Community Board Scholarship $2,400
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
HENDERSON COUNTY
Aidan Grace Henderson County High School
JL Beasley Ag Scholarship $500
Henderson County Community Board Scholarship $500
Ava Pruitt Henderson County High School
Henderson County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Elijah Masters Henderson County High School
Henderson County Community Board Scholarship $1,500
Dylan Rodriguez Henderson County High School
Henderson County Community Board Trade Scholarship $2,000
LaShawn Robinson Henderson County High School
Henderson County Community Board Scholarship $500
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
HOPKINS COUNTY
Chloe Mackey Hopkins County Central
Hopkins County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Christopher Wheeler II Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Hopkins County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Ella Kirkland Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Danny Peyton Memorial Scholarship $1,500
Joshua Browning Hopkins County Central
Danny Peyton Memorial Scholarship $1,500
Lauren Wooten Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Connor Kalvar Trinity High School
Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
James Bowden duPont Manual High School
Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Lorenzo Martinelli Saint Xavier High School
Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Savannah Scarlott Atherton High School
Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
George Ferree Trinity High School
Doe Anderson Scholarship $500
LOGAN COUNTY
Brock Repsher Logan County High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Matilyn Cassetty Logan County High School
Logan County County Community Board Scholarship $500
Whitney Celsor Logan County High School
Logan County County Community Board Scholarship $500
McCRACKEN COUNTY
Caroline Wright McCracken County High School
McCracken County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Katharine Bidwell Paducah Tilghman High School
McCracken County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Madison Stuber Community Christian Academy
McCracken County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Mark Ballard McCracken County High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
McLEAN COUNTY
Amber Casson McLean County High School
McLean County Community Board Scholarship $500
Breanna Frailley McLean County High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Cadence Keister McLean County High School
McLean County Community Board Scholarship $500
Aleah McCaslin McLean County High School
Guy Reisz Scholarship $10,000
SHELBY COUNTY
Emma-Katherine Lawrence Shelby County High School
Shelby County Community Board Scholarship $1,250
Natasha Otieno Shelby County High School
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Sean McLaughlin Martha Layne Collins High School
Shelby County Community Board Scholarship $1,250
WARREN COUNTY
AngeDivine IrakizaSenga South Warren High School
Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
Johnathon Foust Greenwood High School
Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Keyiyah Brooks Warren Central High School
Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
Madison Stockton Bowling Green High School
Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
Makenzie Claywell Warren East High School
Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
WEBSTER COUNTY
Aristeo Pineda Webster County High School
Webster County Community Board Scholarship $500
Carlee Drury Webster County High School
Webster County Community Board Scholarship $500
Ella Oakley Webster County High School
Webster County Community Board Scholarship $500
Garrett West Webster County High School
Chairman’s Scholarship $5,000
Webster County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Charles A. Reid Finalist $500 Ernie & Martine Davis Scholarship $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship
Hunter Cates Webster County High School
Webster County Community Board Scholarship $500
Additional Scholarship Information:
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.
Danny Flood Memorial Scholarship
The Danny Flood Memorial Scholarship, in Graves County, is funded partially by proceeds from the Independence Bank tractor drive and Danny’s daughter, Jennifer Hawkins and family. Danny was a long-time farmer and owner of Ford-Richardson Case – IH farm equipment dealership.
James R. Cash Scholarship
The James R. Cash Auction Company Scholarship is funded by the family of the late James R. Cash, Sr.
JL Beasley Ag Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in ag in honor of JL Beasley and his family farming operation. The scholarship is funded by the family of JL Beasley.
Danny Peyton Memorial Scholarship
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.
Lanham Family Business Scholarship
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 here in our communities, so the scholarship is intended for a student pursuing a business major.
Ernie and Martine Davis
Ernie Davis served as a member of our Board of Directors for 22 years. He was co-owner of Ernie Davis & Sons and served 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 Mr. and Mrs. Davis.
Charles A. Reid Scholarship
The Charles A. Reid Scholarship is the original scholarship that started the Independence Bank program in 2001. It is given in honor of Charles A. Reid, former Independence Bank Founder, CEO and President. A finalist is chosen from each market that Independence Bank serves and those finalists each receive $1,000, a $500 Maurice Reisz Scholarship and a $500 Ernie and Martine Davis Scholarship. One overall winner is selected for the Chairman’s Scholarship.
Chairman’s Scholarship
The recipient of the Chairman’s scholarship is selected from the 16 finalists who interviewed for the Charles A. Reid Scholarship and receives $15,000— the largest scholarship the Bank offers.
Agriculture Scholarship
Independence Bank is one of the top ag lending institutions in the state and nation. It’s only natural that we offer a $5,000 scholarship to a student who is pursuing an ag related degree.
Guy Reisz Memorial Scholarship
Guy Reisz served as an Independence Bank Board of Director and this scholarship was intended for a student attending Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro. Guy’s sister, Gail Reisz Branch, provides this scholarship to honor her brother’s love for Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Maurice Reisz Memorial Scholarship
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. Reisz’ daughter, Gail Reisz Branch, provides this scholarship in honor of her father and his passion.
Marjorie Reid Scholarship
Marjorie Reid is the wife of the late Charles A. Reid, and CEO Chris Reid’s mother, and is one of the founding partners of Independence Bank. She 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.