Birmingham, AL – AmFirst proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of high school seniors from across Central Alabama at the 2024–2025 Rising Star Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held Friday, April 25. Among the six prestigious scholarship recipients was Calhoun County’s own Bentley Bean, a senior at Wellborn High School.
Each week during the academic year, WBRC selects a Rising Star — a student who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and service to others. These honorees, all seniors planning to attend college or trade school full-time in Fall 2025, represent the best and brightest from schools across Alabama. From a highly competitive group of 30 Rising Stars, six students were chosen to receive a $5,000 scholarship to help advance their educational dreams.
The 2025 Rising Star Scholarship recipients are:
Bentley Bean, Wellborn High School
Kimora Dejarenette, Sylacauga High School
Carleigh Lipscomb, Gadsden City High School
LeeAnn Satterfield, Southside High School
James Murphy Jr., Minor High School
Lana Todd, Holly Pond High School
Winners were selected based on academic performance, extracurricular achievements, community service efforts, and a final interview round that showcased their leadership and determination. Each student honored embodies perseverance, passion, and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.
“We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with WBRC to highlight and support the next generation of leaders through the Rising Star program,” said Kevin Morris, President and CEO of AmFirst. “These students are a powerful reminder of the promise our future holds.”
In addition to the six Rising Star Scholarships, AmFirst awarded the Bill and Pat Connor Scholarship for the second consecutive year. This $5,000 scholarship, named in honor of former CEO Bill Connor and his wife, Pat, was awarded to Ryan Kozlek of Oak Mountain High School, recognizing his academic and personal achievements as a dependent of an AmFirst employee.
AmFirst, a federally chartered community credit union with 21 branches in 13 counties across Alabama, remains committed to providing cost-effective financial services and supporting educational opportunities for the next generation. With over 200,000 members, AmFirst is recognized as one of the strongest credit unions in the nation.
Congratulations to Calhoun County’s Bentley Bean and all the Rising Stars for their incredible achievements and bright futures ahead!
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