Alliance Bank proudly recognized its Junior Board of Directors during its annual Celebration Assembly on May 3, 2026, honoring the Class of 2026, highlighting the group’s 2026 community visits, introducing new members, and giving back to two local organizations.
The Junior Board program provides local high school students with hands-on exposure to leadership, business, and community service. Throughout the year, students gain real-world experience through presentations, industry insights, and leadership development opportunities.
At this year’s event, Junior Board members shared highlights from their experiences, including presentations on local industries and professional skills such as interview preparation and business etiquette.
Donation Presentation: Junior Board Members Kandace Kroft, Audrey Dickinson, Ethan Need, and Sydney Mellon present donations to Tanya Burton of the Community Foundation of White County Women Giving Together Fund and Harold Welter of the Cheryl Lyn Welter Foundation.
A key moment of the program was the presentation of the group’s community donations. Junior Board members raised funds through bake sales at local high school basketball games, with Alliance Bank matching their efforts. Together, a total of $2,475 was donated to:
- Community Foundation of White County – Women Giving Together Fund
- Cheryl Lyn Welter Foundation
“The Cheryl Lyn Welter Foundation was honored to be at the Alliance Bank Junior Board Celebration Assembly” posted Harold Welter. “The Junior Board’s donation will help the Foundation help underprivileged kids in our rural schools. Kids helping kids has been a hallmark of Cheryl’s Foundation since the beginning!”
The program honored the current Junior Board.
Class of 2026
- Audrey Dickinson (Winamac)
- Maddox Gutwein (West Central)
- Brody Koppelmann (Twin Lakes)
- Kandace Kroft (Winamac)
- Sydney Mellon (West Central)
- Ethan Need (Twin Lakes)
- Jacob Ramirez-Menjivar (North White)
- Carter Sterrett (North White)
Class of 2027
- Olivia Dahlenburg (North White)
- Makylah Holle (West Central)
- Jaelyn Huddleston (Winamac)
- Tatem Goyer (Twin Lakes)
- Katie Scholz (West Central)
- Sean Stark (Winamac)
- Mary Kate Waikel (Twin Lakes)
- Katelyn Westerhouse (North White)
The celebration concluded with the presentation of new officers and members and a reception celebrating the accomplishments of this year’s Junior Board. Joining the Board next year from the Class of 2028 will be Chelsea Connell and Mandalyn Cook (North White), Colby Egolf and Amelia McAuliffe (Twin Lakes), Zaelyn Jacobs and Cora Miller (West Central), and Evan Burgess and Kannon Hoover (Winamac).
Alliance Bank is proud to support initiatives like the Junior Board of Directors that invest in youth leadership, strengthen local communities, and inspire the next generation.
2025-26 Board Front Row (l to r): Jacob Ramirez, Jaelyn Huddleston, Olivia Dahlenburg, Kandace Kroft, Audrey Dickinson, Mary Kate Waikel, Sydney Mellon, and Makylah Holle. Back Row: Carter Sterrett, Sean Stark, Tate Goyer, Brody Koppelmann, Ethan Need, Maddox Gutwein, and Katie Scholz. Not pictured: Katelyn Westerhouse.
Incoming Class of 2028 Members Front row: Chelsea Connell, Zaelyn Jacobs, Cora Miller, and Amelia McAuliffe. Back row: Kannon Hoover, Evan Burgess, Mandalyn Cook, and Colby Egolf.
