Announcing Winners of the 2025 Hester Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to the winners of the Julian and Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship, which is funded by CBA and its membership. Each year, CBA awards four $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors attending a college, university or technical school in Georgia in the fall.

Congratulations to: 

Thomas Holt
University of Georgia
Community Banking Company 
Fitzgerald | Mr. Corey Gibbs

Deeya Mepani
Georgia Tech
Oconee State Bank
Watkinsville | Mr. Neil Stevens

Olivia Sanders
Georgia Tech
First Southern Bank
Waycross | Mr. William Hughes, Jr. 

Tarun Swarnam
University of Georgia 
Georgia Primary Bank, A Division of
Georgia Banking Company
Atlanta | Mr. David Coxon

The scholarship is named for the late Jan Hester, daughter of Lalia and the late Julian Hester, long-time CEO of the CBA. To compete, students must write a short essay on the characteristics of a community bank, and the continuing benefits they offer to their home communities.

“CBA is proud of these students and wish them well as they continue to further their education,” stated John McNair, President & CEO of CBA. “Each winner demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement and community service. This was no easy task for the judges, who took their responsibility very seriously. The quality of applications was extraordinary with students who excelled in academics, athletics, community involvement and more – really an impressive group of high school seniors.”

Special thanks to the 2025 judges: Dr. Marguerite Brickman, University of Georgia, Athens; Nigel Burton, Travelers, Alpharetta; Bobbie Clemons,.; Planters First Bank, Hawkinsville; Linda Smith, Embassy National Bank, Lawrenceville, and Casey Wolfe, Integris, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.