Ten years ago, officials with Trigg County Schools entered into an agreement with FNB Bank — generating those early roots for the “Spirit Card” relationship between local consumers and the district.
Friday afternoon, exactly one decade later, FNB Bank officials opened their foyer to celebrate crossing the $300,000 threshold — all of which has gone to the benefit of teachers and students.
FNB Trigg County Market President Kyle Hensley said it was the kind of milestone the organization had long been looking forward to, and that bank customers were the ones to thank.
Over the last decade, “Spirit Card” funds have either assisted or fully paid for a number of improvements on Trigg County’s campus, including: expanded band storage, weight room accommodations, cafeteria dressings.
Superintendent Bill Thorpe, moving into his third year at the helm, said the he and the board are eyeing the creation of the “Born Learning Trail” behind the school, the inclusion of certain fixtures in the new co-curricular building and a potential renovation of the entrance of Wildcat Gymnasium as earmarks for residual and coming “Spirit Card” cash.
FNB President and CEO Sally Hopkins noted her organization had long implemented such programs in both Graves County and McCracken County before opening in Trigg County.
She added it’s such a great program for the schools because, among many positives, FNB doesn’t dictate where the money goes.
The districts do.
FNB Vice President Brooke Wiles said she remembers those early days, when that first quarter yielded just $400 for Trigg County.
As part of Friday’s celebration, Wiles and other officials were able to present a $10,000 check to the Trigg County Schools board for just this past quarter alone, she added that other school districts within the FNB purview envy Trigg County’s relationship and “Spirit Card” success.
Part of that success, Wiles noted, comes down to transparency of how those dollars are spent.
Hensley said the next milestone to celebrate will be $500,000. If this consistent pace continues, that’ll be in the last two quarters of 2028.
For more information about this card option, visit online at growwithfnb.com.
