Big Ideas, Big Rewards

High school seniors in Rice County with big business ideas have a chance to win scholarships through the First Bank 2025 Entrepreneurial Scholarship Program.

The scholarship, now in its second year, encourages students to develop their own business plans and think like entrepreneurs. One senior from Chase High School, Lyons High School, and Sterling High School will each receive a $500 scholarship. A second $500 prize will be awarded to one of the three school winners as the Rice County Overall Entrepreneurial Winner.

“First Bank believes in the entrepreneurial spirit of Rice County and wants to encourage our area students to ‘Make Life Better’ by fostering their big ideas while teaching them how to be successful,” said Raechel Manley, First Bank Marketing Director.

Last year’s scholarship winners had creative and innovative business ideas, including a piano teaching business, sculptures made from recycled metal, and even a safety feature designed to prevent school shootings.

Students must submit a completed application, business budget,  by April 1, 2025. The winners from each school will be chosen by school designees, while a panel of community representatives from the Sterling and Lyons Chambers of Commerce and Rice County Economic Development will select the overall county winner.

Scholarship recipients will present their business plans at a First Bank event and will be recognized in various media outlets. In Lyons, residents were able to see metal art on display from last year’s USD 405 winner at the local bank branch throughout the summer.

The scholarships will be paid directly to the college or trade school of the recipient’s choice.

Interested students can apply online at https://form.jotform.com/250306923447052.

For more information, students should contact their school’s scholarship coordinator or visit First Bank.