Realizing the Dream 2020–2021

Congratulations to these Realizing the Dream Recipients! 

Realizing a dream takes commitment, hard work, and, most often, a helping hand from family and others. And that’s exactly what these 30 students from Indiana’s private, non-profit colleges and universities are celebrating. 

These students have realized the dream of being the first in their families to attend college, have been selected by their colleges for outstanding achievement in the freshman year, and are successfully advancing towards completing their bachelor’s degrees. Each recipient shares what it means to them to be a first-generation college student and gives thanks to an influential educator in the videos below. Click here to read the press release.

 

REALIZING THE DREAM RECIPIENTS

Vanessa Weaver

College: Ancilla College

Most Influential Educator: Shanna Ricker, Ancilla College

Alice Dang

College: Anderson University

Most Influential Educator: Christy Kaufmann, Anderson Christian School

Samarah Williams

College: Bethel University

Most Influential Educator: Camellia Dabagia, Knapp Elementary School

Hannah Weiler

College:  Butler University

Most Influential Educator: Marcie Trossman, East Central High School

Hailey Jenifer Brown

College: Calumet College of St. Joseph

Most Influential Educator: Jenifer Toth, Frank O’Bannon Elementary

Hannah Shrock

College: DePauw University

Most Influential Educator: Shanna Lank, Dekalb High School

Bailey Elisse Owens

College: Earlham College

Most Influential Educator: Kim Carter, Centerville High School

Madison Van Gorden

College: Franklin College

Most Influential Educator: Lindsay Chase, Southwestern Jr./Sr. High School

Daniela T. Castro

College: Goshen College

Most Influential Educator: Theresa Collins, Goshen High School

Trinity Christmas

College: Grace College

Most Influential Educator: Aaron Burkhart, Pike High School

Allison Speas

College: Hanover College

Most Influential Educator: Daniel Varnes, Cloverdale High School

Hannsel Lopez Alvarez

 

College: Holy Cross College

Most Influential Educator: Juan Carlos Alvarez, Adams High School

Preston Moistner

College: Huntington University

Most Influential Educator: Joy Miller, Lincoln High School

Daniel Heredia

College: Indiana Institute of Technology

Most Influential Educator: Enrique Catalan, Hammond High School

Marqueshia M. Allen

College: Indiana Wesleyan University

Most Influential Educator: Michelle Hawk, Indiana Wesleyan University

Heather Binion

College: Manchester University

Most Influential Educator: Alan Conrad, Lebanon Middle School

Micah Elise Thompson

College: Marian University

Most Influential Educator: Melissa Thompson, Anderson High School

Jasmine Hamer

College: Martin University

Most Influential Educator: Viveca Carter, Martin University

Maizy Gilliland

College: Oakland City University

Most Influential Educator: Kristie Bladen, Bloomfield Jr./Sr. High School

Blake Deckard

College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Most Influential Educator: Brian Rosenburgh, Edgewood High School

Ethan Stattner

College: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Most Influential Educator: Suzie Jorden, Cloverdale Elementary School

Elizabeth Mendez

College:  Saint Mary’s College

Most Influential Educator: Jena Dreibelbis, Lincoln Junior High

Jessica Ditton

College: Taylor University

Most Influential Educator: Chelsey Wiley, Roanoke Elementary School

Emily Wampler

College: Trine University

Most Influential Educator: Michelle Klawans, Bloomington High School North

Paige Johnson

College: University of Evansville

Most Influential Educator: Kyle Brasher, Gibson Southern High School

Siang Tha Len

College: University of Indianapolis

Most Influential Educator: Sara Berghoff, Southport High School

Camryn Barnett

College: University of Notre Dame

Most Influential Educator: Jason Giordano, Noblesville High School

Yamilex Diaz

College: University of St. Francis

Most Influential Educator: Kyle Allison, University of St. Francis

Larissa Chavarria

College: Valparaiso University

Most Influential Educator: Benjamin Kerezman, Valparaiso High School

Bryce McCullough

College: Wabash College

Most Influential Educator: Jeff Maupin, Greensburg Community High School