2023 NEB Scholarship Recipients

National Exchange Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the recipients of the National Exchange Bank 2023 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 daughter of active National Exchange Bank & Trust 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:

Greta Benzinger

Greta Benzinger is the daughter of Bob Benzinger, vice president of retail banking based out of the Fond du Lac office located on S. Main Street. Benzinger plans to attend UW-La Crosse to major in Biology and minor in English. She was active throughout high school as a part of the yearbook committee, ski club, the Cardinal Singers, Cardinal TV and Cardinal Community Mentors. Outside of school, she participated in the Fond du Lac County Teen Court and South Shore Chorale in addition to working at Fresh Fit Café.

Vincent De Ceuster

Vincent De Ceuster is the son of Dolf De Ceuster, vice president of commercial lending at the West Bend office. De Ceuster currently attends UW-Platteville where he is majoring in Soil and Crop Science with an emphasis in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. During high school, he was a part of the soccer and track teams. In college, he is involved with the ultimate frisbee, Spikeball and Agronomy clubs. Outside of school, De Ceuster has volunteered at several activities including vacation bible school, basketball camp, the county fairgrounds, highway cleanups and as a camp counselor.

Raelynn Hansen

Raelynn Hansen is the daughter of Tina Hansen, a customer service representative at the Omro office. Hansen plans to major in Finance at UW-Stevens Point. Her career goal is to work at a bank or another type of financial institution to help people with their finances. Throughout high school, she was an active member of 4-H as both vice president and reporter, the cheerleading team and the National Honors Society. In addition, she helped with the winter dance and managed the school store.

Kyle Harms

Kyle Harms is the son of Tamara Harms, a personal banker at the Chilton office. Harms currently attends UW-Stevens Point and is majoring in Business Administration and Management with a Criminal Justice minor. He aspires to become a financial analyst or advisor to help individuals and business make informed decisions about investments and financial planning. Harms is active as a part of intramural rugby and corporal/team leader for the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

Mercedes Herrmann

Mercedes Herrmann is the daughter of Sara Hermann, a personal banker at the Campbellsport office. Herrmann plans to major in Political Science and Spanish at Ohio State University. She was active in high school as the manager of the dance team, vice president and president of the drama club, vice president of student council, a participant and choreographer for show choir and a part of forensics. Outside of school, Herrmann has been involved in the community theater, student tutoring, freshman mentoring, the dance team’s kiddie clinic and church mission trips.

Gavin Jahns

Gavin Jahns is the son of Laura Jahns, assistant vice president and mortgage loan officer at the Fond du Lac office located on S. Main Street. Jahns plans to attend Marian University. In high school, he was a part of the basketball, football and golf teams. He earned awards and honors such as being captain of the basketball team, First Team All-Conference for basketball, All Defense for basketball, Second Team All-Conference for basketball and honorable mention at conference for football. Outside of school, Jahns participated in numerous volunteer events at his local church and works First Tee at Whispering Springs Golf Course and as a score keeper at UW-FDL basketball games.

Taylor Jahns

Taylor Jahns is the daughter of Laura Jahns, assistant vice president and mortgage loan officer at the Fond du Lac office located on S. Main Street. Jahns is majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Marketing at UW-Oshkosh. In high school, she was active as a part of key club, the soccer and volleyball teams, math club, yearbook committee and prom committee. In college, she has been on the honor roll and a part of the honor society.

Britney Laatsch

Britney Laatsch is the daughter of Michelle Laatsch, a lien documentation specialist that works out of the operations office in Fond du Lac. Laatsch currently attends Marquette University where she is majoring in Exercise Physiology with the career goal of becoming an athletic trainer. She is active as a part of CHAARG – a health and fitness community on campus and the MKE Roots Project – a set of programs and initiatives focused on social justice. Additionally, she works as a ticket sales associate at Marquette University and a cashier at Laatsch’s Piggly Wiggly.

Megan Pomplun

Megan Pomplun is the daughter of Sherry Pomplun, a customer service representative at the Pardeeville office. Pomplun is currently majoring in Biology at UW-Madison with the career goal to become a physician’s assistant. In high school, she was active in 4-H where she held roles such as president and treasurer, the Bulldog Stomp where she was the assistant team leader, FFA where she was a student advisor, sentinel and executive team member, student council where she was parliamentarian, the basketball team, and the softball team where she was captain her senior year.

Gavin VandeKolk

Gavin VandeKolk is the son of Jodi VandeKolk, an imaging representative that works out of the Fond du Lac office located on S. Main Street. VandeKolk is majoring in Finance at UW-Green Bay with a career aspiration to become a financial planner or advisor. In high school, he was active in baseball, band, youth group and Spanish club. At UW-Green Bay, VandeKolk is active in UWGB Cru, Pinky Swear and UWGB Welcome Week Cleanup. Additionally, he works as a counter attendant at Riviera Lanes.