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
Katelyn Quiroz
College: Anderson University
Most Influential Educator: William DeLisle, Hamilton Southeastern High School
Austin Falk
College: Bethel University
Most Influential Educator: Michael Nolt, Northwood High School
Iadlia Moreno
College: Butler University
Most Influential Educator: Matt Payne, Avon High School
April Mendoza
College: Calumet College of St. Joseph
Most Influential Educator: Lauren Nelson, Portage High School
Stephanie Haynes
College: DePauw University
Most Influential Educator: Leta Sena-Lopez, Kahler Middle School
Makaylah Castelow
College: Earlham College
Most Influential Educator: Kari Catanzaro, Maconaquah High School
Amy Garrido Portillo
College: Franklin College
Most Influential Educator: Katie R. DeArmitt, Center Grove High School
Brenton Hieu Pham
College: Goshen College
Most Influential Educator: Miriam Miller Avelar, Goshen High School
Itsel Flores-uribe
College: Grace College
Most Influential Educator: Mayra Aguilar, Concord Community Schools
Clara McCulley
College: Hanover College
Most Influential Educator: Hannah Oliver, Silver Creek High School
Dion Payne-Miller
College: Holy Cross College
Most Influential Educator: Rick Ankney, Elkhart Community Schools
Aaron Dolph
College: Huntington University
Most Influential Educator: Beth Davis, Elkhart Area Career Center
Cameron Scott
College: Indiana Institute of Technology
Most Influential Educator: Pat Shifley, Bishop Luers High School
Gabriella Hoover
College: Indiana Wesleyan University
Most Influential Educator: Jim “Umfundisi” Lo, Indiana Wesleyan University
Erica Ortiz
College: Manchester University
Most Influential Educator: Gwen Mize, Manchester Jr. Sr. High School
Chloe Delgado
College: Marian University
Most Influential Educator: Julie Hult, Columbus East High School
Kiara Bailey
College: Martin University
Most Influential Educator: Stanley Law, George Washington High School
Monesjia Harvey
College: Oakland City University
Most Influential Educator: Shirley Posey, Imhotep Institute Charter High School
Elley Adkins
College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Most Influential Educator: Cindy Aubuchon, McCutcheon High School
Rylee Williamson
College: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Most Influential Educator: Christopher M. Todd, South Spencer High School
Ruby Meza
College: Saint Mary’s College
Most Influential Educator: Ana T. Acosta, Bishop Noll Institute
Christina Veatch
College: Taylor University
Most Influential Educator: Megan Orcutt, Noblesville High School
Bethany Morgan Schmitt
College: Trine University
Most Influential Educator: Emily Watkins, Trine University
Ashtyn Baxter
College: University of Evansville
Most Influential Educator: Chasten Bear, Herron-Riverside High School
Imelda Pozos
College: University of Indianapolis
Most Influential Educator: Lizzette Menendez, Frankfort High School
Hayley Jie Brownd
College: University of Notre Dame
Most Influential Educator: Jason McGee, Crown Point High School
Aye Aye Ma
College: University of St. Francis
Most Influential Educator: Pamela Cobb, East Allen Career Center
Hannah Schoner
College: Valparaiso University
Most Influential Educator: Michael Tuholski, Laporte High School
Jake Oostman
College: Wabash College
Most Influential Educator: Vincent Lewis, Crown Point Community School Corporation