Congratulations to the Statewide Winner!

Congratulations to Sydney Guthrie who was named this year’s statewide winner. Sydney was hosted by Burke & Herbert Bank. As the statewide winner, Sydney received a $5,000 scholarship in addition to her $2,500 regional scholarship.

Read Sydney's winning essay here!

Congratulations to the 2024 Bank Day Regional and Honorable Mention Winners!

Each of the six regional winners will receive a $2,500 college scholarship. There were also six honorable mention winners who will each receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

Regional Winners:

Capitol Region Winner: 
Charles Riccardino, Jr., Atlee High School, Hosted by Truist Bank

College Attending: James Madison University

Potential Major: Psychology 

• What’s the top thing on your bucket list? Exploring the world and embracing different cultures
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Instagram, I like to keep up with events around me
• Favorite Weekend Activity? Playing soccer with the Richmond Kickers

 

 

 

Central/Southside Region Winner: 
Ele Norton, Blacksburg High School, Hosted by First Bank & Trust Co.

College Attending: Georgia Tech

Potential Major: Mathematics

• What’s the most used app on your phone? Strava
• Favorite Weekend Activity? Hiking
• How would you spend one million dollars? Traveling and eating good food

 

Eastern Virginia Region Winner: 
Destiny Caravello, Nansemond River High School, Hosted by Blue Ridge Bank

College Attending: James Madison University

Potential Major: Nursing

• What’s the top thing on your bucket list? To visit the 7 wonders of the world.
• If you could host a talk show or podcast, who would be your first guest? My first guest would be Michelle Obama.
• Favorite Weekend Activity: My favorite weekend activity is to curl up on the couch with a warm blanket, Chick-fil-A, and a book.

 

Statewide & Northern Virginia Region Winner: 
Sydney Guthrie, James Madison High School, Hosted by Burke & Herbert Bank

College Attending: Northeastern University 

Potential Major: Undecided but pre-med track

• What’s the top thing on your bucket list? A trip to visit the southern coasts of France and Italy 
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Camera
• Favorite weekend activity: Coaching younger swimmers

 

 

 

Southwest Virginia Region Winner: 
Blair Rutherford, Patrick Henry High School, Hosted by First Bank & Trust Co.

College Attending: Virginia Tech

Potential Major: Agribusiness Management 

• What’s the most-used app on your phone? TikTok
• If you could host a talk show or podcast, who would be your first guest? Drew Barrymore
• Favorite weekend activity: Anything outdoors

 

Valley Region Winner: 
Savannah Hillman, Valley Baptist Christian School, Hosted by First Bank, Virginia

College Attending: Golden State Baptist College and online classes at Pensacola Christian College

Potential Major: Secondary Education with an English Major

• If you could host a talk show or podcast, who would be your first guest? I would choose my parents because they have taught me so many great things, and I would want them to share their story to help to help others. 
• Favorite weekend activity: My favorite weekend activity is volunteering at my church by visiting and giving back to the kids who come on our church bus in our community.
• How would you spend one million dollars? I would help my church start a Christian school to help the children in our community - after I bought a new outfit!

Honorable Mention Winners:

Capitol Honorable Mention Winner:  
Gabriella Greth, Hanover High School, Hosted by C&F Bank

College Attending: George Washington University

Potential Major: Economics and Public Health

• What’s the top thing on your bucket list? The top thing on my bucket list is to visit all fifty states. 
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? Instagram
• Favorite Weekend Activity: My favorite weekend activity is playing lacrosse, followed closely by reading!

 

 

Central/Southside Honorable Mention Winner: 
Sarah Dinkel, Blacksburg High School, Hosted by First Bank & Trust Co.

College Attending: George Mason University

Potential Major: Environmental Science

• What’s the most-used app on your phone? The most used app on my phone is probably my email. I enjoy checking my email to look at what’s next for me in college and in school overall.
• Favorite weekend activity: My favorite weekend activity is getting outside! Whether I’m running or hiking, I love exploring new places with my friends!
• How would you spend one million dollars? If I had one million dollars, I would probably pay for my college and use the rest to travel!

 

 

Eastern Virginia Honorable Mention Winner: 
Joseph Scott, Lancaster High School, Hosted by Chesapeake Bank

College Attending: James Madison University

Potential Major: Kinesiology/Exercise Science

• If you could host a talk show or podcast, who would be your first guest? If I hosted a talk show or podcast, I would have Buffalo Bills quarterback, Josh Allen as my first guest. Josh Allen is my favorite player and I would love the chance to have a conversation with him.
• Favorite weekend activity: My favorite weekend activity is having dinner at my grandparents’ house every Sunday. I enjoy getting to see them and the rest of my dad’s side of the family.
• How would you spend one million dollars? If I had a million dollars I would put it towards my college and buying my first house. I would then invest the remainder.

Northern Virginia Honorable Mention Winner: 
Ashraf Abdou, Justice High School, Hosted by Burke & Herbert Bank

College Attending: The George Washington University 

Potential Major: Computer Science 

• What’s the top thing on your bucket list? To one day own my own company/business 
• What’s the most-used app on your phone? YouTube
• If you could host a talk show or podcast, who would be your first guest? Mufti Menk 
• Favorite weekend activity: Biking
• How would you spend one million dollars? Building my own software company whilst investing in a mix of stocks, real estate, and possibly international assets for growth potential

Southwest Virginia Honorable Mention Winner: 
Ethan Cloud, Eastside High School, Hosted by Powell Valley National Bank

College Attending: UVA Wise

Potential Major: Pre-medicine/Nursing

• What’s the top thing on your bucket list? Ever since I was little, I have had a fascination with traveling and the outdoors, More recently, however, I have become involved in hunting. So, one of my top bucket list items is going on a hunting excursion to Africa.
• Favorite weekend activity: During the weekend, one of my favorite things to do is go fishing. 
• How would you spend one million dollars? If I were given the chance to spend 1 million dollars, I would first give 10% to my church. After that, I would donate to my family and friends while also paying off my car. I would then update my wardrobe and pay off my family’s mortgage. Then, I would invest the rest of the money.

Valley Honorable Mention Winner: 
Mason Cubbage, Page County High School, Hosted by Blue Ridge Bank

College Attending: Laurel Ridge Community College

Potential Major: General Education and Biology

• What’s the top thing on your bucket list? Go skydiving (and live through it)
• What’s the most used app on your phone? Instagram
• If you could host a talk show or podcast, who would be your first guest? Barack Obama
• Favorite weekend activity: Relaxing
• How would you spend one million dollars? Definitely spend some on myself, but use a large portion to invest in my future/the future of my loved ones.