Riedel Foundation awards $2,500 scholarships to two graduating Hannibal High School seniors

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal High School seniors Abbie Martin and Kyrie Wilkerson will each receive $2,500 scholarships from the George H. Riedel Foundation. Wilkerson was awarded the Riedel Scholarship for Business and Banking. Martin earned the Riedel Scholarship for Social Advocacy.

The scholarships are awarded in honor of George H. Riedel, a director of F&M Bank for many years. He left his estate in a trust that funds the work of the Riedel Foundation. Since Riedel died in 2000, the foundation has awarded approximately $7.5 million to nonprofit organizations that serve Hannibal residents.

“Mr. Riedel made a living as a banker, but his lasting legacy is the social advocacy work that is accomplished through the non-profit organizations funded by his foundation,” Riedel Foundation administrator Sarah Deien said in a press release. “These scholarships combine the two interests and hopefully help these students launch successful careers and meaningful contributions to society.”

Wilkerson, a son of Alyssa Wilkerson, will attend Lindenwood University in the fall and major in business administration. He has received a scholarship for the cheer squad at Lindenwood.

Martin, a daughter of Stacy and Phillip Martin, will attend Quincy University on a soccer scholarship. She plans to major in psychology or human services.

The Riedel scholarships are administered through the Hannibal Booster Club and go directly to the students to apply toward tuition, room and board.