This year’s Cullman Savings Bank Foundation Scholarship recipients are pictured with members of the bank’s Board of Directors (back row). (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN – Cullman Savings Bank on Friday held its annual scholarship awards luncheon. The bank, through its foundation, awards scholarships to Wallace State Community College to several area students. Eligibility for these scholarships is based on recommendations from the students’ teachers and principals, and the award amounts range from $250 to $5,000. Recipients for the 2018-2019 awards were honored Friday morning at a luncheon at Top of the Town.
CSB President John Riley shared, “We are in the people business, the Cullman business, and that goes in many, many different directions. It’s not just making loans, it’s not just cashing checks; it’s a lot of different things. I love being a part of these things.”
Riley said the scholarship program stemmed from the bank’s desire to take some of its profits and put them back into the community.
“People don’t come ask us for money; we just watch and look for different things,” he said. “When we see something good happening that needs a little push, we don’t just throw money at it, we go get involved in it and find out what they’re doing. We make sure that it’s money well-spent and that the money being spent is actually doing good. Over the years, one of the greatest things to do, that we’ve found, is to get involved with the school system. When we see that we can invest in these young people, it’s amazing to watch that financial gift that we give make such a difference in people’s lives.”
Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette shared. “I’d like to say how much I appreciate Mr. Riley and his staff at Cullman Savings Bank. This wouldn’t be possible without you and your board of directors, and we’re very grateful and appreciate that. I’d also like to recognize our principals and our guidance counselors and the impact that you have on our young people. Then I’d like to congratulate our young people, and I guess the challenge that I’d like to give y’all is to be a success story. Don’t take this for granted. Somebody saw something in you, and they knew you would follow up on this and continue this path, so I challenge you to do that.”
In addition to the scholarships, recipients were given gift bags. First-time recipients were given Galaxy Tab E tablets and Bluetooth keyboards, returning recipients received smart watches and Wallace State students who graduate this year were given cash.
First-time recipients were:
-Logan Mae Chambers – Holly Pond
-CarrieAnn Douglas – West Point
-Haley Frankham – Cullman
-Kailey Goble – Fairview
-Anna Hampton – Fairview
-Serah Hudson – Hanceville
-Cassidy Johnson – Good Hope
-Presley Marks* – Holly Pond
-Jamie Marotz – Vinemont
-Katelyn Neely – Fairview/Cullman Area Technology Academy
-Madison Smith – Vinemont/Cullman Area Technology Academy
Returning recipients were:
-Emily James
-Tania Albarron
Graduating students (from Wallace State) were:
-Marissa Woodall
-Kayley Fortner
*Marks was also the recipient of the Mike Duke Scholarship. All the schools in the county, including Cullman High School and the Cullman Area Technology Academy, are eligible for two Foundation Scholarship winners each. However, in memory of CSB employee and Holly Pond graduate Mike Duke, Holly Pond HS is allotted a total of three scholarship recipients: two for Foundation Scholarships and one for the Mike Duke Scholarship, if one student doesn’t win both the memorial award as well and the Foundation award.
The CSB Board of Directors includes: Senator Paul Bussman, Judge Kim Cheney, Nancy McClellan, Chad Burks, Greg Barksdale and Dr. Bill Peinhardt.
Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
