Independence Bank awards over $130k in scholarships to 71 Kentucky seniors

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — 71 high school seniors across Kentucky were awarded a total of $139,400 in scholarships as part of the 2025 Independence Bank Scholarship Program. Seniors from Daviess, Henderson, Hancock, Hopkins, McLean and Webster counties were awarded.

Officials say they received more than 460 applications and the awards ranged from $500 to $15,000, with ten recipients earning scholarships of $5,000 or more.

The following students were amongst the top winners:

• Matthew King (McCracken County High School)
  • Charles A. Reid Scholarship $15,000
• Tyranda Stuart (Owensboro Catholic High School)
  • Marjorie Reid Scholarship $10,000
• Kennedy Warren (Webster County High School)
  • John Thacker Scholarship $10,000
• Lukas Humphrey (Daviess County High School)
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  • Chairman’s Scholarship $5,000
• Lucy Spaw (Daviess County High School)
  • Chairman’s Scholarship $5,000
• Andrew Dennison (Owensboro High School)
  • Chairman’s Scholarship $5,000
• Ryan Loairs (Greenwood High School)
  • Guy Reisz Scholarship $5,000
• Abbigal Powers (Owensboro Catholic High School)
  • Maurice Reisz Scholarship $5,000
• Caroline Mattingly (Crossroads Christian Academy (Murray))
  • Ag Scholarship $5,000
• Carson Carter (Apollo High School)
  • Ernie and Lou Davis Scholarship $5,000

The following local students were awarded as one of the Charles A. Reid finalists:

• Katherine McCain (Daviess County High School)
• Hope Calhoun (Madisonville-North Hopkins High School)
• Vinson Embry (Henderson County High School)
• Brianna Abney (McLean County High School)
• Katie Kruger (Hancock County High School)
  • Also awarded with the Hancock County Community Board Scholarship
• Sara Welshans (Webster County High School)
  • Also awarded with the Webster County Community Board scholarship

The following students were awarded with Daviess County Community Board scholarships:

• Jacob Hammen (Daviess County High School)
• Drew Crandall (Owensboro High School)
• Alexia Latham (Apollo High School)
• Lillian Coombs (Daviess County High School)
• Madison Rowland (Daviess County High School)
• Patrick Hauke (Owensboro Catholic High School)
• Kaden Blankenship (Owensboro High School)

The following Henderson County High School students were awarded with Henderson County Community Board scholarships:

• Braxton Stauffer
• Vinson Embry
• Lydia Burnette (also awarded with the JL Beasley AG Memorial Scholarship)
• Marquise Spann

The following Madisonville-North Hopkins students were awarded with Hopkins County Community Board scholarships:

• Hope Calhoun
• Albany Ray
• Za’Nya Wilson

Mattie Reynolds, of Hopkins County Central, and Hailey Holmes, of Madisonville-North Hopkins, was awarded with the Danny Peyton Scholarship

“Our goal has always been to invest in more than just education—we’re investing in people,” said Bank Charitable Foundation Manager Lauren Patton “These students have shown us their determination and grit, and it’s a privilege to celebrate this moment with them and their families.”

“Each scholarship is more than just a financial backing,” said Patton. “It’s a vote of confidence in the dreams of a student—and we’re proud to always be part of their unfolding story.”