Area students studying to become teachers are among more than 300 recipients of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship.
The scholarship program, established in 2016 through legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly, awards a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 per year (up to $40,000 total) to high-achieving high school and college students who agree to teach in an eligible Indiana school for five years. This year, more than 1,000 students applied, representing over 300 high schools in 90 of Indiana’s 92 counties.
This year, these local students were among the scholarship recipients:
• Vanessa Alfonzo, Lebanon Senior High School;
• Kayla Bloomer, Danville Community High School;
• Callista Clark, Plainfield High School;
• Molly Dean, Tri-West Senior High School;
• Ian DeGeeter, Plainfield High School;
• Grace Eads, Brownsburg High School;
• Leah Engebretsen, Zionsville Community High School;
• Lily Ford, Lebanon Senior High School;
• Hannah Hayden, Western Boone Jr-Sr High School;
• Autumn Johnson, Western Boone Jr-Sr High School;
• Owen McCutchan, Southmont Sr High School;
• Olivia Miller, Zionsville Community High School;
• Lily Ruffner, Avon High School;
• Raeley Shilling, Plainfield High School;
• Whitney Smith, Cascade Senior High School;
• Avery Stokes, Southmont Sr High School; and
• Katelyn Woolwine, North Montgomery High School.
Those qualifying for the scholarship must graduate in the top 20% of their high school class, earn a score in the 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT, or have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
It’s essential that those leading our classrooms have strong academic skills and demonstrate a dedication to teaching future generations. This program has helped so many students achieve their education goals and made our schools stronger.
Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship applications for the 2026-27 school year will open in November.
