FNB participates in a statewide essay- writing contest sponsored by CBAI Foundation for Community Banking. The CBAI Foundation of Community Banking can award a $1,000 scholarship to a student in 11 of CBAI’s 12 groups along with $500 to a second- place person in each group, which ensures geographical uniformity of winners. The statewide winner will win $1,000 a year for up to four years of higher education. An additional $500 will be awarded to the school of the overall winning student. In addition, FNB will choose two local award winners. First place will receive $500 and second place will receive $250. Up to six additional essays will be sent to CBAI for entry in the statewide scholarship contest.
Contact your high school guidance office or the FNB Trust Department for additional details or an application.
Due Date – February 2, 2024
John Juenger was born on July 6, 1915, in the small community of Burnt Prairie, IL. He served in the Pacific Thester during World War II, where he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat. He then moved to Fairfield. Immediately following his honorable discharge after World War II, John was employed by Boyd Construction (now B-Way) in Fairfield, IL. John retired from Boyd Construction in the mid-seventies, after about 30 years. He loved to hunt and fish all over Wayne County. He also trapped wild animals and sold the fur during the winter months. His garden produced many vegetables every summer that were shared and enjoyed by friends and neighbors. John continued all these activities until just before his death on January 9, 2011, at the age of 95.
John began attending the First Baptist Church of Fairfield, IL in the early 1970s. He was very active for many years with youth and children in the bus ministry. He was also an active choir member. John very seldom missed Sunday School or a worship service. In fact, during a period of over ten years in the 1980s and 1990s, he was honored for “Perfect Sunday School Attendance.
Mr. Juenger’s official “will” established the John Juenger Charitable Trust. The John Juenger Scholarship Trust awards three $3,500 one-time scholarships to Fairfield High School graduating seniors who intend to enroll in a post-secondary educational program.
Contact your high school guidance office or the FNB Trust Department for additional details or an application.
Due Date – March 22, 2024
The Puckett Foundation established by B. Earl Puckett, awards scholarships to promising FCHS graduating seniors each year in order to assist them in obtaining a quality college education. Mr. Puckett was born and raised in Wayne County; attended Wayne County schools, and eventually moved to New York to become a successful businessman and entrepreneur. Mr. Puckett understood the necessity of a solid educational background and training for any type of career and through his foundation, he continues to “give back” to the hometown that grounded him throughout his life.
The Puckett Foundation scholarship is for $3,000 per year for four years and is to be awarded on the basis of scholarship, ability, industry, and integrity.
Student applicants must have a minimum score of 19 on the ACT; maintain a 4.0 unweighted grade point average or better; and rank in the upper 25% of his or her class.
Contact your high school guidance office or the FNB Trust Department for additional details or an application.
Due Date – April 3, 2024
The Fairfield National Bank has created this scholarship in memory of FNB’s long-time employee and friend, David Kinney. David was an Agricultural and Commercial Loan Officer at FNB for 26 years. The purpose of the scholarship is to help a promising graduate obtain a quality college education in an Agricultural-related field.
Contact your high school guidance office or the FNB Trust Department for additional details or an application.
Due Date – April 5, 2024
Though lost with generations, there was a time when everyone in Wayne County was familiar with Orlen “A.O.” Brach and Barbara “Babe” Brach Ward. They had a hand in multiple businesses and charitable organizations and enjoyed helping people as they could. After serving in the second World War, Orlen went on to own and operate the DX service station, a Ford tractor dealership, a Studebaker dealership, a trucking business, the Brach shopping complex, and even built multiple houses establishing several neighborhood subdivisions – all of this in Wayne County. As many of your grandparents could tell you, he was also one of the funniest people you ever met and always had a story.
Orlen always felt a skilled trade was invaluable to business and promoted that with every chance he could. He knew many students, because of various reasons, would not be able to complete a degree program in a university but with financial assistance might be able to complete a program to learn a trade or skill to enable them to better support themselves and their family. With that sentiment, Orlen Brach and Babe Ward wanted to provide an opportunity for Wayne County students seeking a skilled occupation to pursue that goal. His family and Fairfield National Bank, Trustee are proud to keep continuing that opportunity through the A. Orlen Brach & Barbara “Babe” Brach Ward Scholarship. Eligibility requirements do not stress grade point averages as much as need and a desire to learn a trade. The career you are pursuing shall not require a four-year college or university.
Contact your high school guidance office or the FNB Trust Department for additional details or an application.
Due Date – April 1, 2024
The Frank & Marie Beiswenger Foundation, established by Frank & Marie Beiswenger in 2001, awards scholarships to promising FCHS graduating seniors in order to assist them in obtaining a quality post-secondary education.
Frank & Marie Beiswenger were lifelong residents of Wayne County. Frank, who passed away in 1996, was a farmer and foreman at Airtex Products. Marie was a schoolteacher for 38 years and began her teaching career in a one room school in the Pond Creed area, then eventually moved to the Fairfield Grade School district. Marie passed away on May 5, 2015 just three months shy of her 102nd birthday. Marie’s desire to see students continue their education led to the establishment of this foundation.
The advisory committee of the foundation selects scholarship recipients based on applications submitted demonstrating academic achievement, school and community activities and financial need.
Contact your high school guidance office or the FNB Trust Department for additional details or an application.
Due Date – April 5, 2024
The Foundation was created by Dr. Tom Lloyd whose third year in college was spent at the University College of North Wales. Lloyd’s experiences during this time were pivotal in establishing his career path. After completing his undergraduate degree at Antioch College he earned a PhD in biochemical pharmacology at Harvard, followed by five years at the National Institutes of Health. He was recruited by the Penn State College of Medicine in 1975 where he spent the next 45 years as a research scientist, teacher and as the architect of novel educational programs for medical students and physicians in training. In his effort to give back to the broader collegiate community Lloyd started in 2001 making scholarships available for college students to undertake international educational experiences.
Both international and domestic programs are eligible for support. The Foundation believes that the greatest learning, development of self-awareness, and development of global understanding occurs when students between the ages of 18 and 24 years are given the opportunity to live and study in locations which have different creature comforts and cultural values than those they have grown up with. It is expected that the student will spend not less than three weeks, nor more than an academic semester immersed in courses and/or programs of study that will complement their own course of study.
The Foundation places emphasis on supporting institutions based in the United States whose students undertake programs at international or domestic colleges or universities where students will be able to take courses and/or programs of study that will complement their course of study.
Contact your high school guidance office or the FNB Trust Department for additional details or an application. You may also obtain more information by visiting the Foundation’s Website at http://www.spiritoflifefdn.org/.
Due Date – Applications are due April 1st through April 15th each year. No application will be considered if received before or after these dates. Applications can be mailed, emailed, faxed, or dropped off in-person to the FNB Trust Department.