Shafer awarded IBA Student Athlete Achievement Award...

Waukon High School senior Bailey Shafer was one of five Iowa high school seniors who received a 2021 Iowa Bankers Association (IBA) Student Athlete Achievement Award during the Iowa High School Girls Basketball State Tournament March 5-6 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. One student from each class was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the IBA to the college of her choice, with Shafer pictured at right receiving her award during the Class 3A State Championship game Saturday, March 6 from Dennis Lyons of FreedomBank of Waukon.
Award recipients were selected based on their academic performance, athletic participation, leadership skills and community involvement. Other award recipients included Class 1A: Ellie Lago, Newell-Fonda High School; Class 2A: Alexis Shike, Nodaway Valley High School; Class 4A: Emma Hughes, Glenwood High School; and Class 5A: Lindsey Kelderman, Waukee High School.

“We’re proud to support the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and to recognize these student-athletes with this scholarship award. They’re deserving not only because of how they excel on the court, but also for their classroom achievements and community leadership,” said Tara Deering-Hansen, the IBA’s vice president of marketing and communications. “Iowa bankers strive to help Iowans reach their financial goals. We hope that with this scholarship the winners are better able to fund their higher education, so they can learn new skills and continue serving their Iowa communities.”

For more than three decades, the IBA has sponsored the Student Athlete Achievement Awards in partnership with the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. The program includes awards to student-athletes in football, basketball and wrestling. The IBA has awarded $275,000 in scholarships since the program began.

The Iowa Bankers Association represents Iowa banks and savings institutions. Iowa bankers are committed to the values of honesty, hard work and community service, and have been a resource for Iowans for more than 100 years. Iowa banks offer FDIC insurance and lend $68.1 billion to help individuals, business owners and agriculture. Nearly 40,000 Iowans work at an Iowa bank, and bank employees volunteer more than 300,000 hours to support local communities each year. To learn more, visit www.iowabankers.com.