Hills Bank announces scholarship opportunity for high school juniors

Local high school juniors are encouraged to apply for college leadership grants sponsored by Hills Bank and the Iowa 4-H Foundation. For the past 18 years, Hills Bank has partnered with the Iowa 4-H Foundation to provide leadership grants for youth residing in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, and Washington counties.

Students apply during their junior year in high school and are evaluated on involvement in community service, student group activities, work experience, and high school academic performance. Applicants are not required to be 4-H members. Grants are available to students attending any of Iowa's accredited colleges, universities, or community colleges.

In addition to the $1,000 scholarship, recipients are provided nine hours of leadership training. The training focuses on communication, listening, team building, leadership, networking, and learning about serving your community. 'By taking part in the Hills Bank Leadership Grant program, I was able to better prepare for college and also learn the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity given. The Leadership Grant gave me a drive to do better in my community and motivation to help people,” said Bethany Gorsch, 2010 Leadership Grant recipient and current Hills Bank employee.

Information and applications for the Hills Bank Leadership Grants are available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation Web page www.iowa4hfoundation.org/scholarships or at www.HillsBank.com/leadershipgrant. Applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m., March 1, 2020, for consideration.

With questions regarding the Hills Bank Leadership Grant, please contact Mary Clancy, Iowa 4-H Foundation scholarship coordinator, at clancy@iastate.edu or 515-432-3882.