Bank Iowa scholarships include area recipients

Each year, Bank Iowa awards $1,000 scholarships to commendable high school students across the state. This year’s Spirit of Chandy scholarship award recipients totaled 19 seniors in Iowa high schools.

Local winners of the 2025 Spirit of Chandy scholarship winners include Alyssa Clements of Colfax-Mingo School District, who plans to attend Drake University and Lola Rivera of Newton Senior High School, who plans to attend Grand View University.

The Spirit of Chandy scholarship honors Bank Iowa co-founder Harry Barr’s daughter, Chandy Barr Clanton, who passed away in 2009. Students are selected based on academics, character, leadership, honors/awards received and participation in school and community activities, including swimming, biking, running and flying — activities Chandy was passionate about.

As part of the application process, students were encouraged to listen to Chandy’s story and complete an essay describing their personal strengths, as well as their education and career goals.

“It’s impossible not to feel inspired when you read the stories and get a glimpse into the goals driving our next generation of leaders,” Bank Iowa President/CEO Jim Plagge said.