West Plains, MO – Three 2020 graduates of West Plains High School, one from Liberty High School and one from Willow Springs High School have each been presented with one-time, $2,000 scholarships by the West Plains Bank and Trust Company Employee Scholarship Committee. The recipients were selected based on their interest in banking or a business field, desire to help others, academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
Mikayla Pyatt, daughter of Michael and Russella Pyatt, of West Plains, Mo., plans to attend the Missouri State University – West Plains to study business/accounting. Pyatt has a history of community involvement and volunteering and said she hopes to have a career in the field of banking.
Zachary Finley, son of Debra Finley Combs, of West Plains, will attend Missouri Southern University – Joplin, Mo., to study accounting. Finley said he is interest in accounting because enjoys working with the public. In addition to his studies, Finley will be an athlete at Missouri Southern University.
Cassidy Cunningham, daughter of Joe Cunningham and Desley Cunningham, of West Plains, will attend the University of Missouri – Columbia to study pre-nursing. Cunningham has had successful academic achievement, an extensive history of volunteering and school involvement. Her career path is focused on helping others.
Bryce Friga, son of Tony and Laura Friday, of Willow Springs, Mo., plans to attend the University of Missouri – Columbia to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Friga said he has a strong interest in agriculture, an industry vital to the local economy, and intends to move to an area near Willow Springs, Mo., to practice both small and large animal medicine.
Kinley Richards, daughter of Steve Richards, of Mountain View, Mo., will attend the University of Missouri – Columbia to study pre-law. Richards has had strong academic performance and believes she can make a difference through the career path she has chosen by helping other people, something she has striven to do throughout her school career.
Established in late 2014, the West Plains Bank and Trust Company Employee Scholarship Fund was created by Bank employees with the purpose of supporting college-level study for young people interested in the field of banking or a related field. Opportunity to apply was extended to graduating seniors in the West Plains R-7, Mountain View-Birch Tree R-3 and Willow Springs R-IV school district, the communities in which West Plains Bank and Trust Company has branches located.
“The funds for this scholarship come directly out of the pockets of our employees who contribute to the fund each Friday in order to wear jeans to work,” said David M. Gohn, West Plains Bank and Trust Company President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our employees view encouraging young people to pursue higher education a worthwhile investment in our future leaders. We are excited to help encourage young people to follow their dreams.”
West Plains Bank and Trust Company opened its doors to customers in 1883, making it the oldest continually operating business in the area. With 137 years of service to the local region, total assets of West Plains Bank and Trust Company have grown to more than $410 million with seven locations. For additional information, visit www.westplainsbank.com or call 417.256.2147.
