GALENA — Apple River State Bank and First Community Bank of Galena recently awarded $1,000 college scholarships to six area high school graduates.
● Galena High School: Violet Doyle is the daughter of Gavin and Marcy Doyle. She will attend the University of Illinois and major in journalism.
● River Ridge (Ill.) High School: Samuel Rife is the son of Jerod and Kristen Rife. He will attend Marquette University and major in civil engineering. He will also participate in the Air Force ROTC program.
● Scales Mound High School: Lainey Frey is the daughter of Darreyl and Cheryl Frey. She will attend Western Illinois University where she will major in criminal justice.
● Warren High School: Emma Rodriquez is the daughter of Michael and Tessa Moore. She will attend Highland Community College to major in mass communications, then transfer to Illinois State University to major in mass media.
● Southwestern High School: Alyssa Zeller is the daughter of Lucas and Eric Zeller. She will attend the University of Wisconsin River Falls, where she will major in companion animal science.
● Darlington High School: Cagyn Paisley is the son of Beau and Angie Paisley. He will attend Northeast Iowa Community College to major in radiologic technology.
In addition to these six scholarships, the bank’s Trust Department has awarded two $1,000 scholarships from the Earl, Vera, and Hal Heller Educational Trust. The recipients are:
● Mya McCoy, is the daughter of Nate and Amy McCoy. She will attend the University of Central Oklahoma to major in nursing.
● Kennedy Roddick, is the daughter of Blake & Tara Roddick. She will attend Drake University to major in zoo and conservation science.
Bank Commits $200 to Each Area High School Graduate
In addition to the $1,000 scholarships, Apple River State Bank will again provide a $200 Community Commitment Award to each of the 226 graduating seniors from Galena, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Warren, Southwestern, and Darlington High Schools. Combined with the $1,000 scholarships that were awarded in each school district, the total commitment by Apple River State Bank and First Community Bank of Galena is over $51,000 to this year’s graduating class.
Since the Community Commitment Award’s inception in 2021, the bank has dedicated over $250,000 to graduating seniors in our communities.
Seniors from these six high schools received a certificate that they can take to their local Apple River State Bank office. $100 will be deposited in a new or existing Apple River State Bank checking or savings account. Between December 11, 2026, and January 31, 2027, an additional $100 will be deposited into the account at their request.
“We are prepared to be the bank for these young adults, wherever their future takes them. Congratulations and best wishes for the future from your friends at Apple River State Bank,” said Joel Holland, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer.
Apple River State Bank is located throughout Jo Daviess County, including Apple River, Elizabeth, Hanover, Scales Mound, Warren, Galena (First Community Bank of Galena), and Darlington and Hazel Green, Wisconsin. In addition, the bank operates a network of 53 ATM locations.
