March 28, 2024

Newton-area seniors encouraged to apply for Bank Iowa $500 Spirit of Chandy scholarship

Applications accepted now through March 26, 2021

For the eighth year, Bank Iowa is pleased to offer graduating high school seniors in the Newton area an opportunity to apply for the Spirit of Chandy Scholarship. Bank Iowa annually awards up to 20 $500 scholarships to commendable high school students across the state.

The scholarship is a tribute to Bank Iowa co-founder Harry Barr’s daughter, Chandy Barr Clanton, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 36 while piloting her aerobatic plane during a training flight. Clanton was a successful businesswoman, competitive athlete, talented pilot and a beloved mother of two sons, including Harrison Clanton who now works at Bank Iowa in the family-owned bank’s West Des Moines headquarters.

“My mom tried to use her hobbies in ways that benefited both the community and others,” Harrison Clanton said. “Everything she did flying-wise reflected her desire to help; she never kept a single penny of her award money. She was a very selfless person, and I can’t think of a better representation of who she was than to continue to give.”

Hear more from Harrison Clanton in this Bank Iowa video.

According to Bank Iowa President and CEO Jim Plagge, Chandy Clanton’s pursuit of excellence, commitment to giving back and zest for life is a legacy that lives on through the lives of young people in the communities served by the bank.

Scholarship applicants must be pursuing higher education at an accredited university or college and complete an essay describing personal strengths, as well as education and career goals. Past scholarship winners, of which there are now more than 100, each displayed sound academic achievement, strength of character, leadership ability and participation in community activities, such as swimming, biking, running and flying––a few of the interests Chandy Clanton passionately pursued.

The application deadline is March 26, 2021, and recipients will be announced in May. To apply for the scholarship, visit www.bankiowa.bank/about-us/spirit-of-chandy-scholarship/