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