WC Indiana News

Indiana College Students ‘Realizing the Dream’ with Scholarships, Connection to Influential Educators

Twenty-nine first-generation Indiana college students got a boost to their education funds this academic year and re-connected with influential educators who helped along the way after being named “Realizing the Dream” recipients by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). These 29 scholarship recipients, one from each of Indiana’s private, non-profit colleges and universities, were celebrated at a banquet on February 25 at the Eiteljorg Museum. Award recipients, videos, and photos are listed below.

Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program annually recognizes first-generation college students from ICI colleges and universities. Students are selected for the $4,000 award for outstanding achievement during their freshman year as they successfully advance toward completing their bachelor’s degrees.

To honor recipients, ICI created individual videos of each student describing what it means to them to be a first-generation college student and thanking the influential educator they have chosen to honor. Videos can be found at icindiana.org/rtd.

“Thanks to the continued support of Lilly Endowment, we get the opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of these first-generation students and the impact local educators have had on their drive to succeed academically,” said Jodie Ferise, JD, ICI’s vice president & general counsel. “These scholarship awards will provide critical support for these young people who are dreaming of future success.”

In addition to the students’ scholarship awards, the influential educators also receive $1,000 in professional development grants.

Listed below are the Realizing the Dream recipients and the colleges they are attending, as well as the teacher they’ve named as their most influential educator and school where they taught the recipient.

Katelyn Quiroz, Anderson University

William DeLisle, Hamilton Southeastern High School 

Austin Falk, Bethel University

Michael Nolt, Northwood High School

Idalia Moreno, Butler University

Matt Payne, Avon High School

April Mendoza, Calumet College of St. Joseph

Lauren Nelson, Portage High School

Stephanie Haynes, DePauw University

Leta Sena-Lopez, Kahler Middle School

Makaylah Castelow, Earlham College

Kari Catanzaro, Maconaquah High School

Amy Garrido Portillo, Franklin College

Katie R. DeArmitt, Center Grove High School

Brenton Hieu Pham, Goshen College

Miriam Miller Avelar, Goshen High School

Itsel Flores-Uribe, Grace College

Mayra Aguilar, Concord Community Schools

Clara McCulley, Hanover College

Hannah Oliver, Silver Creek High School

Dion Payne-Miller, Holy Cross College

Rick Ankney, Elkhart Community Schools

Aaron Dolph, Huntington University

Beth Davis, Elkhart Area Career Center

Cameron Scott, Indiana Institute of Technology

Pat Shifley, Bishop Luers High School

Gabriella Hoover, Indiana Wesleyan University

Jim “Umfundisi” Lo, Indiana Wesleyan University

Erica Ortiz, Manchester University

Gwen Mize, Manchester Jr. Sr. High School

Chloe Delgado, Marian University

Julie Hult, Columbus East High School

Kiara N. Bailey, Martin University

Stanley Law, George Washington High School

Monesjia Harvey, Oakland City University

Shirley Posey, Imhotep Institute Charter High School

Elley Adkins, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Cindy Aubuchon, McCutcheon High School

Rylee Williamson, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Christopher M. Todd, South Spencer High School 

Ruby Meza, Saint Mary’s College

Ana T. Acosta, Bishop Noll Institute

Christina Veatch, Taylor University

Megan Orcutt, Noblesville High School

Bethany Morgan Schmitt, Trine University

Emily Watkins, Trine University

Ashtyn Baxter, University of Evansville

Chasten Bear, Herron-Riverside High School

Imelda Pozos, University of Indianapolis

Lizzette Menendez, Frankfort High School

Hayley JIE Brownd, University of Notre Dame

Jason McGee, Crown Point High School

Aye Aye Ma, University of Saint Francis

Pamela Cobb, East Allen Career Center

Hannah Schoner, Valparaiso University

Michael Tuholski, Laporte High School

Jake Oostman, Wabash College

Vincent Lewis, Crown Point Community School Corporation

Original source can be found here.