Citizens Bank of Kansas is pleased to announce the addition of a student-run branch located at Circle High School, Towanda, Kansas.

Modeled after the highly successful branch at Derby High School, the CHS branch will offer a special account for Thunderbird students, and accounts for Circle teachers and staff.  The CBK-CHS branch will also provide deposit services and cash transactions.

Two student interns have been selected from many applicants for the new branch, Evelynn Stierwalt and Chloe Foster.  Shawn Lehecka, a business education teacher at Circle High School, has been hired to serve as the Education Manager for the CBK-CHS branch in addition to his teaching duties at CHS. Lehecka joined CHS in 2021 and is a coach for tennis and basketball.  He is a graduate of Kansas State University

“The possibility of a new student-run branch at Circle High School has been in the mix for a few years,” said Jane Deterding, Chairman of the Board of Citizens Bank of Kansas.  “Everything came together to open in the fall semester of this year.  CBK is a long-time partner of Circle schools and we’re thrilled to open this new branch at CHS.”

"We are extremely excited about the partnership between Citizens Bank of Kansas at Circle High School,” said Matthew J. Carroll, Principal of Circle High School. “This partnership will allow our students to gain real world financial literacy tools while at the same time providing opportunities for our students to intern in the bank. Our thanks to CBK for their commitment to our school and the Circle community." 

The CBK-CHS branch will open on August 17, 2023, and will be open before school and during the lunch period during school days.  It is open to all CHS students, faculty, and staff.