BNB Celebrates Five Local Students as Business Scholars
Bridgehampton National Bank has announced the winners of this year’s BNB Business Scholars Award. This year, the selection process was the most competitive since the scholarship was started, with applicants from 16 different high schools.
The BNB Business Scholars for 2015 are Frank Leotta (Westhampton Beach High School), Courtney Murphy (Mattituck High School), Madison Flotteron (Bay Shore High School), Stephanie McAleer (Smithtown High School West) and Meagan Loyst (Sachem High School North).
“I am so proud of the accomplishments of our local students,” says BNB President and CEO Kevin O’Connor. “The BNB Business Scholars program recognizes the talent and ambition of students across Long Island High Schools. This modest scholarship is a small contribution to the bright futures ahead of them. I hope that some of them may find their way back to us in the future.”
The BNB Business Scholarship is open to seniors from high schools in the communities of BNB’s 40 branches. The scholarship was initiated as part of the celebration of the Bank’s 100th anniversary in 2010. Each year, five local college-bound seniors are awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue studies in a business field.
The application requirements include having applied to a 2- or 4-year college with a plan to study business, finance, economics or accounting, as well as answering an essay question. This year the question was, “What is the role of a community bank and how can it impact the people and businesses in your town or village?” A panel of BNB professionals reviews the students’ transcripts, reference letters, and the short essay, using a point scale to determine the awards. The applicants’ names are masked during the evaluation process. The volunteer review committee consists of a mix of BNB staff members representing various areas of banking and operations.
BNB expects the scholarship program to expand as the bank grows its business and expands its reach. After its recent acquisition of Community National Bank, BNB has $3.4 billion in assets and 40 branches serving Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan area.