Each year, Independent Community Bankers of Colorado (ICBC) awards five $1,000 scholarships to students across Colorado to support their educational journey.

Applicants must be employees or customers of an ICBC member bank, or their parents must be employees or customers.  They must have a 3.0 or higher GPA and have participated in a variety of school activities, athletics, and community service.  

The application is rigorous and includes a 500-word essay based on a local news story with analysis on the impact the issue of the story has on their community.  

Applications are vetted by a committee of ICBC Associate Members, redacted of identifying information about the applicant and the ICBC sponsoring bank. 

June 6, 2023, Michael Van Norstrand, Executive Director of the Independent Community Bankers of Colorado, awarded an ICBC scholarship to Samantha Courkamp, sponsored by GN Bank Eads, and Sean Lening.

 “This scholarship will help me work toward my dream of becoming an X-ray technician as I plan to study radiology. I’m looking forward to college because this is the next step in life towards pursuing my dream career. This award means I am able to make that dream a reality. “Thank you, Independent Community Bankers of Colorado, for this generous gift,” said Samantha. Samantha will be attending Fort Hays State University in Hays KS.

Samantha graduated from Eads High School in May. While in high school Samantha participated in FFA, volleyball, track, basketball (honorable mention- CO High School All Conference Basketball Team) FBLA, Student Council,  and coached the third & fourth grade volleyball. Samantha has been a constant on the Eads Honor Roll and has taken college course at LCC and being placed on the President List (grade point average of 4.0). She also was honored as Eads High School 2023 Prom Queen.