Six named National Merit semifinalists
National Merit Scholarship Corporation officials announced the names of more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition.
About 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship.
Receiving semifinalist status in Columbus, all from Columbus North High School, are:
- Sreepadaarchana Munjuluri
- Alexandra G. Osburn
- Ajay R. Singiredd
- Manya A. Suresh
- Henry D. Thomas
- David Zhang
Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 320 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
For more information about the competition, visit www.nationalmerit.org.
Student graduates from university
Northern Illinois University
Columbus: Noah Carlock, bachelor of science in sport management.
INDOT offers engineering scholarships
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is seeking applicants for its Engineering Scholarship Program, available for undergraduate and graduate students. Recipients receive financial assistance, as well as opportunities for paid employment during summer breaks and upon graduation.
Students must be accepted or enrolled full-time in one of Indiana’s accredited Civil Engineering schools. The program must also be certified by Indiana’s Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Eligible universities with ABET-certified Civil Engineering programs include Purdue University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Purdue University Northwest, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Trine University, University of Evansville, University of Notre Dame, University of Southern Indiana, Indiana State University and Valparaiso University.
INDOT’s scholarship program offers $3,125 per semester or $2,083 per trimester for up to five years of post-secondary civil e+ngineering education. Scholarship funds may be applied to educational expenses, fees, and books. In return, recipients have the opportunity to work at INDOT in full-time, paid positions during summer breaks and upon graduation.
Learn more about the INDOT Engineering Scholarship Program and the application process at indotscholarship.in.gov. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year must be emailed or postmarked by Sunday, Dec. 31.
One State, One Story book selected
INDIANAPOLIS —Indiana Humanities and Indiana Center for the Book announced the selections for the 2023-2025 One State / One Story statewide reading program. “All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake” by Tiya Miles is the high school/adult selection, and “Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life” by Ashley Bryan is the children’s selection. This will be the first cycle to feature two titles.
One State / One Story is a signature program of Indiana Humanities and this year is part of the organization’s Advancing Racial Equity programming, which supports discussions of history and memory and how engaging with the past can help Hoosiers understand contemporary injustices and strive for racial equity.
“All That She Carried” won the National Book Award for nonfiction in 2021 — along with many other awards — and is the account of how a cloth sack found at an outdoor flea market in 2007 was revealed to be an 1850’s artifact of both love and enslavement. Miles traces the sack itself and, more importantly, the three women connected to the sack’s history in this riveting reflection on American history. Ashley’s sack, and the historical work that Miles does is a prime example of what the humanities can do. In learning and contemplating the history of one object, she reveals how practicing the humanities helps others to imagine more just futures.
“Freedom Over Me” by Ashley Bryan is an award-winning picture book that grew from an appraisement of property that includes the names and prices of a community of enslaved people. From that document, Bryan infuses life into each individual by pairing poetry and artwork contrasting the list price of a person with the priceless value of life experiences and dreams. The accessible language and bold artwork will resonate with young children, while the themes and topics will draw older readers into discussions centered around the humanity of all people who have come to live on this land.
Accompanying One State / One Story is the Community Read program, which offers grants of $750, copies of the book and promotional swag to organizations that have signed up to host a series of three or more programs that explore the themes and ideas of the book selections. Applications are currently being accepted and learn more on Indiana Humanities’ website at https://indianahumanities.org/program/one-state-one-story/.
Lash joins Ivy Tech as VP
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College has named Kathryn Lash as the vice president for K-14 and strategic initiatives. Lash most recently served as executive director for East Central Educational Service Center in Connersville. She joins the college on Oct. 9.
As vice president for K-14 and strategic initiatives, Lash will support the development of partnerships involving secondary schools and career centers. She’ll lead college-wide strategic initiatives related to middle school and high school populations, including dual credit and dual enrollment courses, degree completion pathways, initiatives in support of enrollment of students to the College and the Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP). Lash will work closely with campus teams, statewide leaders and external partners to achieve these objectives and have a positive impact on students and communities around the state.
With over 10 years of experience in teaching and leading in the K-12 public sector, Lash has leveraged partnerships with various stakeholders, all possessing a shared interest in supporting students. Throughout her career, Lash has served as a change agent for implementing ideas for students in settings from elementary school through graduate programs.
With Lash’s leadership, ECESC nearly tripled the annual budget and managed awards of over $6 million dollars of competitive grants aimed at innovative solutions. She collaborated daily with superintendents and school leaders from over 40 member organizations in East Central Indiana to provide operations consortiums, professional development and cooperative solutions in education. She transformed the agency from a fiscal deficit to a leading educational agency in the state with many partners in higher education, state agencies, state professional associations, community leaders and employers.
She has served over the years as the Lilly Scholars Network Advisory Council Chairperson (Outgoing), the East Central Indiana Talent Region’s Guiding Team, and others. Additionally, she was a fellow in the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation.
Lash holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Administration & Supervision, and a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.), Educational Leadership & Supervision, from Ball State University. She obtained her Master of Science in Education from Indiana University and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Manchester University (formerly College). Her teaching certifications include elementary, special education, and English as a new language. She holds building-level and district-level administrative licenses.
