Independence Bank awarded over $158,000 in scholarships to students across a dozen counties within its service area during a virtual reception in May. This contribution brings the total amount of Bank awarded scholarships to $1,584,200 over its more than two-decade history.
The Independence Bank Scholarship Program started 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 CEO Chris Reid said. “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, more than $1.5 million has been awarded to high school seniors to help cushion the cost of college education expenses. Applicants are reviewed 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,” Lauren Patton, Charitable Foundation Manager, explained. “We look at our applicants as a whole and have seen over the years that some of the worthiest recipients are often overlooked by other scholarship programs.”
The Independence Bank Scholarship program is comprised of more than 50 scholarships that applicants are eligible to receive. Many of the categories honor the Independence Bank founding partners and their families.
“As a Bank, we have never just been about the transaction, rather always the relationship,” Jacob Reid, Independence Bank President, shared. “We’re committed to building community. Promoting connection has guided how we do business today. We believe that by helping someone who will give back to those around you—benefits us all.”
The top winners include:
Charles A. Reid Scholarship $15,000 — Ashley Wahler
Marjorie Reid Scholarship $10,000 — Reid Davenport
Guy Reisz Scholarship $10,000 — Will Roberts
Maurice E. Reisz Scholarship $10,000 — Jasmine Howard
Chairman’s Scholarship $5,000 — Sam Lowe
CEO Scholarship $5,000 (each) — Lily Robbins, Olivia Hayden, Luke Scales
Additionally, Independence Bank’s Community Board members fund scholarships that are awarded to a student in their individual markets. The recipients are chosen by the members of the local community board.
Full list of 2022 Scholarship Winners by County:
Calloway County
Eliana Purcell Murray High School Calloway County Community Board $1,000, Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Emily Burditt Murray High School Calloway County Community Board $1,000
Apirada Chetawatee Murray High School Calloway County Community Board $1,000
Makenna Perkins Calloway County High School Calloway County Community Board $1,000
Skylar Swalls Murray High School Calloway County Community Board $1,000
Adison Hicks Calloway County High School $2,500 Spirit of ’76 Scholarship
Daviess County
Ashley Wahler Daviess County High School $15,000 Charles A. Reid Winner, $500 & Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Lily Robbins Daviess County High School CEO Scholarship $5,000
Olivia Hayden Owensboro Catholic High School CEO Scholarship $5,000
Luke Scales Owensboro Catholic High School CEO Scholarship $5,000
Sloan Anderson Apollo High School Lanham Family Scholarship $3,000
Luke Evans Owensboro Catholic High School Daviess County Community Board Scholarship $2000, Ernie & Martine Davis $3,000 Scholarship, Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Lexy Ferguson Apollo High School Daviess County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
JoJo Gesser Owensboro High School Daviess County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Kealey Couch Owensboro Innovation Academy Daviess County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Will Roberts Owensboro Innovation Academy Guy Reisz $10,000 Scholarship
Fayette County
David Castleberry Tates Creek High School Fayette County Community Board Scholarship $500
Cole Ginter Lexington Christian Academy Fayette County Community Board Scholarship $500
Franklin County
Stella Ruwet Homeschooled Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Kadi Garrett Anderson County High School $5,000 Spirit of ’76 Scholarship
Keeli Lightfoot Western Hills High School Franklin County Community Board Scholarship $1800
Graves County
Luke Nesler Graves County Derek Hart Memorial $1,000, James R. Cash Auction $500
Hannah Elliott Graves County High School Danny Flood Memorial Scholarship $1,000 , Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Savannah Cornwell Graves County High School Graves County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Jelsy Fabian Mayfield High School Graves County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Alexis Jones Graves County High School Graves County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Jake Mathis Mayfield High School James R. Cash Scholarship $1,000
Aurora Diaz Graves County Highschool James R. Cash Scholarship $1,000
Ethan Story Graves County High School James R. Cash Scholarship $1,000
Yenni Gonzalez- Madera Mayfield High School Revolution Square Staff Vocational Scholarship $750
Kaylee Tucker Graves County High School Revolution Square Staff Vocational Scholarship $750
Hancock County
Nelia Smithson Hancock County High School Hancock County Community Board Scholarship $1500, Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Craig Bertke Apollo High School $2,500 Spirit of ’76 Scholarship
Henderson County
Taylor Chambers Henderson County High School Beasley AG Scholarship $500
Carol Staples Owensboro Catholic High School Henderson Community Board Scholarship $1,000, Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Marissa Jones Henderson County High School Henderson Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Bowman Duncan Henderson County Highschool Henderson Community Board Trade Scholarship $1,000
Andrew Osborne Henderson County High School Henderson Community Board Trade Scholarship $1,000
Hopkins County
Mallory Bowles Madisonville North Hopkins High School Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Carson Esquilin Madisonville North Hopkins High School Hopkins County Community Board Scholarship $1,200
Rett Nieters Dawson Springs Jr/Sr High School Hopkins County Community Board Scholarship $2,000
Caroline Wilson Hopkins County Central High School Danny Peyton Memorial Scholarship $1500
Lucas Arnold Madisonville North Hopkins High School Danny Peyton Memorial Scholarship $1500
Jefferson County
Sydny Hendrick Assumption High School Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship $1,000, Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Anna Claire Straub DuPont Manual High School $2,500 Spirit of ’76 Scholarship
Molly Wilson Louisville Male High School Doe Anderson Scholarship $500
Jasmine Howard duPont Manual High School Maurice E. Reisz $10,000
Landry Feldmeier homeschool Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship $1,500
Jesse Lee Suda E. Butler Traditional High School Jefferson County Community Board Scholarship $1,500
McCracken County
Clare Canter McCracken County High School McCracken County Community Board Scholarship $1,000, Presidents Scholarship $5,000, Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Ashley Kendall Community Christian Academy McCracken County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Ali Richard McCracken County High School McCracken County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Katelynn Humphries McCracken County High School McCracken County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
McLean County
Carly Abney Mclean County High School Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Abigail Humphrey McLean County High School McLean County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Gavin Price McLean County High School McLean County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Warren County
Sam Lowe Bowling Green High School Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500, Chairman Scholarship $5,000, Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Brad Gurley Bowling Green High School Pay It Forward Scholarship $2,500
Hunter Clemons South Warren High School Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
Hayden Miller Greenwood High School Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
Ali Ward Homeschool Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500
Riley Hudnall Warren East High School Warren County Community Board Scholarship $500, AG Scholarship $5,000
Webster County
Jaxen Miller Webster County High School Charles Reid Finalist, $500 Ernie & Martine Davis & $500 Maurice E. Reisz Scholarships
Reid Davenport Webster County High School $10,000 Marjorie Reid Scholarship
Leo Vazquez Webster County High School Webster County Community Board Scholarship $1,000
Kenia Browder Webster County Webster County Community Board Scholarship $500
Stephen Dyer Webster County High School Webster County Community Board Scholarship $500
Raygan Ranes 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 employees in each market.
Derek Hart Memorial Scholarship
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.
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. 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.
Pay It Forward Scholarship
Our Bowling Green employees would like to recognize a senior that stood out to them while reviewing applications. They personally funded this scholarship in honor of his compelling essay which spoke to his mother’s sacrifice and being able to chase his dreams.
Spirit of ’76 Scholarships
The following students are children or grandchildren of employees who have shown leadership in their communities and strive to achieve success in all that they do.
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.
Chairman’s Scholarship
The recipient of the Chairman’s scholarship is selected from the 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 we offer a $5,000 scholarship to a student who is pursuing an ag related degree.
CEO Scholarships
Chris currently serves as the CEO and Chairman of the Board for Independence Bank and was President of the Bank for over 25 years, following in the footsteps of his late father, Charles A. Reid. Janet worked for the Bank for over 30 years and retired as the COO.
Presidents Scholarship
The recipient of the President’s scholarships has shown strong commitment and ties to their community and leads with a servant’s heart.
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.
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.
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.
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 based on an interview process and receives $15,000.
Independence Bank is a regional community bank with 28 locations in Calloway, Daviess, Fayette, Franklin, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, Jefferson, McCracken, McLean, Shelby, 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 12 consecutive years, a Best Place to Work in Kentucky for 12 years and has assets totaling $3.2 billion.