National Exchange Bank & Trust Announces NEB Scholarship Recipients

National Exchange Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the recipients of the National Exchange Bank 2024 scholarships offered to the children of its employees. Students were judged on articulated financial need, academic achievement, school involvement, work experience, community and volunteer involvement and a personal statement.

The scholarships, in partnership with the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, are awarded to the sons and daughters of active National Exchange Bank employees. Renewable scholarships are available for $4,000 per year for a baccalaureate degree and $3,000 per year for a technical college degree. This year’s recipients are:

Sophia Bartelt
Sophia Bartelt is the daughter of Kevin Bartelt, a loan officer based out of the Mayville office. Bartelt plans to attend Minnesota State University – Mankato to major in nursing and minor in psychology. She was active throughout high school as a part of the golf team, soccer team, and student council, Key Club and Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Leah Bobek
Leah Bobek is the daughter of Connie Bobek, a personal banker at the Princeton office. Bobek plans to attend UW-Platteville where she will major in animal science and minor in agribusiness . During high school, she was a part of the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams, Future Farmers of America (FFA), and the National Honors Society (NHS). Outside of school, Bobek has volunteered at several activities including blood drives, a spaghetti dinner, and youth sports tournaments. Additionally, she has worked on her family farm, working the fields and maintaining the health and daily care of their beef cattle.

Oliver De Ceuster
Oliver De Ceuster is the son of Dolf De Ceuster, a vice president of commercial lending based out of the West Bend office. De Ceuster intends to further his education at UW – Whitewater, majoring in business finance. Throughout high school he was an active member of the soccer, track, bowling, and swimming teams as well as the Saving Earth Every Day (SEED) club. Additionally, he has lead vacation bible school and participated in both middle school and high school youth groups at his church and works as a sandwich artist at Subway.

Alexander Disbrow
Alexander Disbrow is the son of Becky DeVries, a retail loan underwriter at the Waupun office. Disbrow is planning to attend UW – Platteville, where he will major in computer engineering. He aspires to work for a technology company, building data centers for larger corporate companies. He was active in high school as a member of the track, cross country, and soccer teams, a band member, and actor in the drama club. Outside of school, Disbrow is a city worker, cleaning up parks and maintaining buildings, and a library page, putting away books and keeping shelves in order. He has been actively involved in his community through his church’s youth group and choir, the school’s Waupun Warrior Blaskapelle Band, and Waupun Warrior Band.

Addison Kautzer
Addison Kautzer is the daughter of Rebecca Kautzer, an accounting representative at the Fond du Lac office located on W. Johnson Street. Kautzer plans to major in molecular and cell biology on the pre-med track at UW – Madison. She aspires to apply for medical school and become an oncologist. She was active in high school as the president of math club, member of pep club, Spanish club, mission club, and yearbook club. She also played volleyball and softball. Through her involvement in the National Honors Society (NHS), Kautzer has volunteered for yearly spring yard clean up, Project Linus, Breakfast with Santa, concessions for various sporting events, and Zielanis Elementary’s Christmas program.

Kaitlyn Kesler
Kaitlyn Kesler is the daughter of Shannan Kesler, a team leader at the Elkhart Lake office. Kesler plans to attend the College of Lake County (CLC), a two-year community college, where she will enter the pre-veterinary program. Following her two years at CLC, she plans to transfer to UW – Platteville to continue her education in veterinary medicine. In high school, she was a part of the bowling, soccer and tennis teams. She also participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and American Field Service (AFS). Outside of school, Kesler works as a calf feeder for Summit Farms and a cook and bartender at Anchor Lanes.

Payton Priest
Payton Priest is the daughter of Julie Priest, a loan processor based out of the Fond du Lac office located on W. Johnson Street. Priest plans to major in nursing and minor in nutrition at Carroll University. With a passion for helping people, she aspires to become a nurse. In high school, she was active as a part of traveling choir, theater, academy kids, forensics, and the track team. Priest works as a waitress and event server at South Hills Country Club and Golf Course and a server at Switchback Entertainment.

Allison Riley
Allison Riley is the daughter of Marsha Riley, a customer service representative that works out of the operations office in Fond du Lac. Riley currently attends UW – Madison where she is majoring in industrial engineering. In high school, she was a member of the tennis and soccer teams and served as a student ambassador, giving tours of the high school to incoming transfer students. She currently works as a seasonal assistant at Riley Electrical Supply.

Anna Riley
Anna Riley is the daughter of Marsha Riley, a customer service representative that works out of the office on North Main Street in Fond du Lac. Riley currently attends Fox Valley Technical College, where she is majoring in dental hygiene. During high school, Riley was involved in Cardinals Nest and the tennis and soccer teams. She is an active member of the Dental Club at FVTC and currently works as a waitress at Sunset on the Water Bar & Grill.

Kaden Taddey
Kaden Taddey is the son of Tammy Taddey, a loan documentation representative that works out of the Fond du Lac office located on W. Johnson Street. Taddey is majoring in kinesiology at UW-Parkside with a career aspiration to become a physical therapist. In high school, he was active in track, soccer, and baseball. During his senior year, he volunteered in the library at the high school. He currently works at Taco Bell, taking orders and making food.