West Plains, Mo. – Five area graduating seniors have received one-time, $2,000 scholarships from the West Plains Bank and Trust Company Employee Scholarship Program. The program, which began in 2014, is funded entirely by employees who, for $2 per pay period, support young people pursuing education beyond high school and are rewarded with the privilege of wearing jeans on Fridays. The scholarships are awarded in communities where the bank has branches.
2026 scholarship recipients:
- West Plains
- Mary Caroline Dietrich, daughter of Matthew and Joan Dietrich, with plans to attend Missouri State University – Springfield, Mo., in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in nursing
- Linkin Martin, son of Brian and Shelley Martin, with plans to attend Arkansas State University – Jonesboro, Ark., in pursuit of a technical engineering degree
- Mountain View
- Natalie McNew, daughter of Heath and Andrea McNew, with plans to attend Ozarks Technical Community College – Springfield, Mo., to study radiology
- Willow Springs
- Emma Grogan, daughter of Chris and Kim Grogan, with plans to attend Ozarks Technical Community College – Springfield, Mo., to study diagnostic medical sonography
- Houston
- Hannah Ennis, daughter of Michelle Ennis, with plans to attend Ozarks Technical Community College – Springfield, Mo., to study dental hygiene
According to West Plains Bank and Trust Company David M. Gohn, the scholarship program was established by employees of the bank in 2014 with the purpose of supporting young people interested in banking or a related field. “The selection committee meets annually to review applications and choose recipients,” he said. “To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors who have exhibited academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and have plans to enroll in a full-time course of study. We have seen many past recipients go on to do great things in their careers and give back to their communities – exactly what we hope for each time we award a scholarship.”
For more information regarding the West Plains Bank and Trust Company Employee Scholarship Program, visit www.westplainsbank.com/resources/scholarships.
