Benchmark Community Bank is pleased to announce that ten high school seniors located in the Bank’s service footprint were the recipients of $1,000 each in $mart$tart Community Commitment scholarships to further their post-secondary education. The scholarship focuses on applicants’ demonstrated commitment to community and school involvement. An essay portion captures applicant perspectives on the importance of supporting one’s community through volunteerism.
Benchmark Community Bank received nearly 90 applications for the $mart$tart scholarship from students across its market area. Of the ten $1,000 scholarships to be awarded, five have been allocated to students attending a community college or certified trade school, and the remaining five will go to students beginning their four-year college or university education.
The 2026 $mart$tart Community Commitment Scholarship recipients are:
- Justin Brockwell, Central High School, Lunenburg County, VA
- Elizabeth Carroll, Brunswick Academy, Brunswick County, VA
- Aaron Christian, Mecklenburg County High School, Mecklenburg County, VA
- Aylor Collins, Brunswick Academy, Brunswick County, VA
- Danika Doyle, Mecklenburg County High School, Mecklenburg County, VA
- Cara Dyer, Puryear Academy Homeschool, Halifax County, VA
- Christian Lecher, Mecklenburg County High School, Mecklenburg County, VA
- Makayla Paige, Nottoway High School, Nottoway County, VA
- Grace Walsh, Mecklenburg County High School, Mecklenburg County, VA
- Adam Watts, Halifax County High School, Halifax County, VA
"Investing time, energy, and skills to support school and community organizations is so critical to perpetuating a vibrant quality of life in the communities of our region," said E. Neil Burke, President/CEO of Benchmark Community Bank. "By assisting these students with furthering their educations and honing their skillsets, Benchmark is investing in their futures. It is our honor to support their efforts."
"The goal for our $mart$tart program is to help young people build solid skills to pave the way to a secure financial future as adults," explained Executive Vice President/Chief Banking Officer LeAnne Emert. "After the program was launched, we began hearing remarkable stories about how students were contributing to their schools and communities. As an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve, we believe these students’ efforts should be rewarded. That was the inspiration for the development of our scholarship program. We are so proud of these students and look forward to how they will continue to contribute to their communities."
Benchmark Community Bank, founded in 1971, is headquartered in Kenbridge, VA, and operates eighteen locations throughout Southside Virginia and northern North Carolina.
