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