Texas Bank and Trust welcomes 76 area seniors to
esteemed Student Board

By Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Longview program continues to empower the next generation of leaders through financial literacy and leadership

A Legacy of Leadership:

Texas Bank and Trust recently announced the selection of 76 outstanding high school seniors from the Longview area to serve on its 2025–2026 Student Board of Directors. Now entering its 48th year, the TB&T Student Board remains one of East Texas’s most respected youth development initiatives—connecting students to the world of finance, leadership, and real-world decision-making.

“It’s about equipping students not just for college—but for life.”

— Rogers Pope Jr. JD, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Texas Bank and
Trust Company

Schools Represented This year’s board members were selected from five local high schools:

• Christian Heritage School
• Longview High School
• Pine Tree High School
• Spring Hill High School
• Trinity School of Texas

Parents, teachers, and school administrators were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of these young leaders.

Real-World Learning, Real-World Impact

Throughout the year, the Student Board will participate in The Real L.I.F.E. Experience 2.0—an expanded simulation from TB&T’s Living Institute for Financial Education. Students will navigate the financial challenges of life after high school, including managing a household and preparing for college expenses.

They’ll also serve as youth advisors, contributing ideas and feedback on the development of a middle school financial literacy curriculum, further extending the impact of the program throughout the community.

Financial literacy is a foundation every young person deserves. This program delivers that—plus leadership skills and real-life insight.

How Students Were Selected

Applicants were chosen based on:
Academic performance (GPA)
Extracurricular activities
After-school work experience
A personal essay
Two letters of recommendation (from a teacher or administrator)
Students accepted into the 2025–2026 Student Board were notified in early June.

A Tradition of Excellence

Since the program’s inception in 1978, more than 3,700 high school seniors have completed the TB&T Student Board program. For many, it’s been a defining step toward college, career, and community involvement.
“This isn’t just a board—it’s a launching pad.”

Interested in Next Year’s Program

For information on applying to the 2026–2027 Student Board, please contact:
Tammy Gage
Community Relations Manager
(903) 237-5568