Realizing the Dream
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 students from Indiana’s 29 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.
REALIZING THE DREAM RECIPIENTS
Maddi Martin
College: Anderson University
Most Influential Educator: Kimberly Kaiser, Hamilton Heights High School
Smyrna P. Masih
College: Bethel University
Most Influential Educator: Umeki Williams, Mishawaka High School
Sarah Ripperger
College: Butler University
Most Influential Educator: Betsy Baugh, Batesville High School
Blaze Cano
College: Calumet College of St. Joseph
Most Influential Educator: Larry Govert, Hanover Central High School
Alexis Meyer
College: DePauw University
Most Influential Educator: Chad Gayso, Jasper High School
Carly Mays
College: Earlham College
Most Influential Educator: Thom Crist, Northside Middle School
Skyler Journey Cosby
College: Franklin College
Most Influential Educator: Beth Klinker, Sacred Heart Elementary School
Ashley Penzenik
College: Goshen College
Most Influential Educator: David Kieft, Northridge High School
Bianca Jimenez-Ortiz
College: Grace College
Most Influential Educator: Jeff Stutzman, Concord Community Schools
Sierra Adkins
College: Hanover College
Most Influential Educator: Gerard Striby, Roncalli High School
Jelani Cotton
College: Holy Cross College
Most Influential Educator: Leslie Burns, John Adams High School
Victoria Hilderbrand
College: Huntington University
Most Influential Educator: Ken Bracey, Grace Christian Academy
Julia Rose VanDuyn
College: Indiana Institute of Technology
Most Influential Educator: Mindy Weaver-Flask, Shortridge High School
Maddy Welker
College: Indiana Wesleyan University
Most Influential Educator: Steve Lubbehusen, Carroll High School
Kyle Newcomb
College: Manchester University
Most Influential Educator: John Arndt, New Prairie High School
Stephany Gutierrez
College: Marian University
Most Influential Educator: Patricia Lawton, Central Nine Career Center
Quanisha Dowdell
College: Martin University
Most Influential Educator: Demond Woods, Paramount School of Excellence
Michael Nash
College: Oakland City University
Most Influential Educator: Tosha Embry, Clarksville High School
Tim Ausec
College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Most Influential Educator: Carole Duran, Knox Community High School
Taylor Howard
College: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Most Influential Educator: Holly Kanizer, Terre Town Elementary School
Sheccid Gutierrez
College: Saint Mary’s College
Most Influential Educator: Tyler Gellinger, Fairview Elementary School
Ben Tobey
College: Taylor University
Most Influential Educator: Christiann MacLean, Irvington Preparatory Academy
Garrett Adams
College: Trine University
Most Influential Educator: Andrew Shores, Morristown Jr./Sr. High School
Alyssa Burnett
College: University of Evansville
Most Influential Educator: Deb Gee, Cascade High School
Sha’Quan Logan
College: University of Indianapolis
Most Influential Educator: Pat Higgins, Brown Intermediate School
Justin Le
College: University of Notre Dame
Most Influential Educator: Doris Derheimer, Bishop Dwenger High School
Sanae Jennings
College: University of Saint Francis
Most Influential Educator: Jami Redman, John Adams High School
Payton Wolfenbarger
College: Valparaiso University
Most Influential Educator: Brenda Cooper, LaPorte High School
Austin Pickett
College: Wabash College
Most Influential Educator: Renee Howell, Fountain Central Jr./Sr. High School