Benchmark Community Bank is pleased to announce that ten high school seniors located in the Bank’s service footprint will be recipients of the Bank’s $1,000 $mart$tart Community Commitment scholarships for 2025. The annual application round runs from December 1 to February 15.
Named for the Bank’s age 12-17 $mart$tart money management program, the scholarship opportunity focuses on applicants’ demonstrated commitment to community and school involvement and helps recipients further their pursuit of a post-secondary education. An essay portion captures applicant perspectives on the significance of supporting one’s community through volunteerism.
Applicants are required to be residents of or attend school in one of Bank’s 16 market areas or be a Benchmark customer. Recipients selected for this year’s program are:
- Ebow Bart-Plange, Franklin Academy, Franklinton, NC
- McKenna Bryant, Brunswick Academy, Lawrenceville, VA
- Gabriella Conners, Halifax County High School, South Boston, VA
- Allie Jarrett, Brunswick Academy, Lawrenceville, VA
- Zoe Johnson, Kerr Vance Academy, Henderson, NC
- Abbie Lucy, Brunswick Academy, Lawrenceville, VA
- Addison McDaniel, Kenston Forest High School, Blackstone, VA
- Claire Williams, Central High School, Victoria, VA
- Lexi Ramirez, Wake Forest High School, Wake Forest, NC
- Emma Reynolds, Kenston Forest High School, Blackstone, VA
“We are happy to provide scholarship funds to local students again this year,” said E. Neil Burke, President/CEO of Benchmark Community Bank. “Because we dedicate our organization to contributing to an inviting quality of life in the communities we serve, we introduced our $mart$tart Community Commitment Scholarship program to bridge the gap between high school graduation and launching a career. Investing in our communities is what community banking is all about, and it is our honor to support the efforts of these students as they move forward with their academic pursuits.”
“Many of our employees are very connected to the local schools and community organizations,” explained Executive Vice President/Chief Banking Officer LeAnne Emert. “Through their involvement, we began hearing heartwarming accounts of how some of the high schoolers were involved at their schools and in their communities. We are so proud of these students and are excited to know we’ll have had a hand in helping them dedicate their adult lives to enhancing life in their hometowns.”
Benchmark Community Bank, founded in 1971, is headquartered in Kenbridge, VA, and operates seventeen locations throughout Southside Virginia and northern North Carolina. Benchmark is ranked as one of the Top 100 Community Banks in American Banker magazine’s rankings of community banks throughout the U.S.
Contact: Helen Person, VP/Director of Marketing & Public Relations
(434) 676-2666 ext. 1103
helen.person@bcbforlife.bank
