Bank’s scholarship program celebrates 25 years and surpassing $2 million in awards
OWENSBORO—Henderson County High School senior Kamryn Trout was awarded the Charles Reid scholarship, which is the top scholarship the bank hands out each year in the bank’s 15-county footprint in the state.
The scholarship is for $15,000. Trout also was awarded $1,500 for being a Charles Reid Scholarship finalist, walking away from the ceremony at the bank’s Fredericka Street location in Owensboro Tuesday night with $16,500.
Trout will attend Western Kentucky University where she’s going to major in marketing and management with a focus on social media marketing and entrepreneurship.
The night was also a milestone for Independence Bank, which surpassed $2 million awarded in scholarships since its annual Scholarship Program began. This year is the 25th anniversary of the program, according to the bank.
This year there were more than 600 applicants with the bank giving out $173,026 in scholarships, said a release from the bank.
The Independence Bank Scholarship Program began with an initial award of $10,000 in 2001 and was a dream of Bank founder, Charles Reid. Today, with the guidance and support of Chairman, Chris Reid, it has grown into one of the region’s most impactful educational support initiatives, said the release.
“We are thrilled to reach this incredible milestone of 25 years of supporting our community’s students,” Independence Bank CEO Greg Mullican shared. “This program has always been about more than just financial aid; it’s about helping students reach their dreams through higher education, technical training or career development. We consider it an honor to give back in such a meaningful way.”
The scholarship program is open to local high school seniors who are selected through a comprehensive review process that considers academic achievement, financial need, extracurricular involvement, community service and personal essays, said the release.
“The heart of the Independence Bank Scholarship Program has always been about empowering students to reach their full potential,” Independence Bank Charitable Foundation Manager Lauren Patton reflected. “We believe that every student, regardless of their financial background, deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams. This program is a testament to the bright futures of the young people who will help shape it. We look forward to continuing this tradition for many more years to come.”
For additional information, including a list of all honorees by location, please visit 1776bank.com/scholarships.
Other Independence Bank scholarship winners from HCHS are:
- Bailey Moore, Agriculture Scholarship, $5,000
- Jaedyn Sights, Henderson County Community Board, $4,000
- Harper Scott, Henderson County Community Board, $1,500
