The early morning buzz at Circle High School often includes students and teachers conducting banking transactions at the Citizens Bank of Kansas Branch at CHS.  August marks the one-year anniversary of the new high school branch – the second high school branch for CBK. 

Staffed with four student interns and a faculty Education Manager, the CBK/CHS branch does more than just cash checks and take deposits: the student interns are charged with learning and teaching financial literacy classes to other students at the high school and middle school level.

“We are working to teach our peers and younger people about banking and finances,” said Chloe Foster, second year intern at CBK/CHS.  “Some of these things they don’t teach in school.”   Chloe is now working as a part-time teller at the CBK El Dorado branch this summer and training new interns.  “I love making relationships at CBK – it’s helping me figure out what I want to be.”

Shawn Lehecka teaches Banking and Financial Management and other business classes at CHS.  He is also the CBK/CHS Education Manager.  “Shawn has done a great job adjusting to running the branch, teaching classes, and coaching basketball and tennis,” said Shannon Beal, CBK Community Branch President in El Dorado. 

For Shawn Lehecka, the opportunity to serve as the CBK/CHS Education Manager has been an extension of his teaching role, and an opportunity to learn from his students.  “When we opened the branch, we really didn’t know what to expect.  We visited Derby High School [CBK branch] and saw the operation,” Lehecka said.  “This has a been a great opportunity for our students, to learn outside of the classroom.”  Lehecka also noted that the CBK/CHS branch adapted to changes during the first year of operation.  “The students asked for more hours of availability.  With administration approval, we increased branch hours to include the seminar period when students have free time available.”

Both Chloe Foster and Shawn Lehecka mentioned the atmosphere at CBK, which enables the CBK/CHS branch to succeed.  “CBK’s motto of ‘Banking isn’t a money business, it’s a people business’ is 100 percent true.  CBK really cares about their employees and their families,” Lehecka said.

The student interns and CBK staff look forward to hosting the Circle teacher/staff luncheon on August 8, 2024, and participating in the open house at Circle High School on August 20, 2024.  Students and parents are invited to stop by the CBK/CHS branch during the open house.