On May 18, the Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) awarded 88 scholarships totaling over $126,000 to Carmel High School’s (CHS) Class of 2022. CEF scholarships represent the legacy of area educators, athletes, scholars, performers, school and civic leaders, and families who have invested in a scholarship to promote the life-long learning of CHS seniors.
The Brett Ryan Finbloom Memorial Scholarship was established in 2013 after he passed away from alcohol intoxication just days before starting college. The Finbloom family has since been active in the promotion of the Indiana Lifeline Law and the Make Good Decisions Campaign. Andrew Caito and Andrew Valdez each received this scholarship for their part in promoting the campaign throughout Carmel High School, presented by Shane Schmidt, who coached Finbloom as a CHS varsity soccer player.
Dawn Finbloom, Brett’s mom, along with her husband Norm and daughter Jenna, shared the following: “The Brett Ryan Finbloom Memorial Scholarship gives our family HOPE for the future. Every year since 2013 we have had many remarkable CHS students who work to make sure that Brett’s story is known and understood. We know of several young lives saved as a direct result of their dedication. This is the most important legacy that our son has.”
Two students, Grant Herrmann and Luca Kim, received the Jon Teuscher Memorial Scholarship. Teuscher was a beloved educator in Carmel Clay Schools and long-time principal of College Wood Elementary. Upon his passing in 2016, the College Wood Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, along with Jon’s wife, Deb Teuscher, founded this scholarship to honor his legacy.
“The Jon Teuscher Memorial Scholarship is a win/win: two former College Wood Elementary students receive financial assistance from the endowed scholarship fund and Jon’s contributions as a Carmel Clay teacher and principal are remembered and honored,” Deb Teuscher said.
There were two new scholarships awarded this year. One was the Joseph del Busto Memorial Scholarship, awarded to first-generation college student and first-generation immigrant, Austin Guo. The Tadikonda Family Scholarship was awarded to Kathleen Lemme in recognition of her active involvement in performing arts and athletics while maintaining academic excellence.
More than 50 donors and selection committee members selected recipients from nearly 400 applications. A full listing of the Carmel High School CEF Scholarship recipients can be found at ccs.k12.in.us/foundation/scholarships.
CEF Executive Director Jennifer Penix congratulated all 88 extraordinary young adults on their scholarships.
“CEF is proud to recognize these students not only for their involvement in philanthropy, school and community organizations,” Penix said, “but for their character as it was expressed through their applications.”
Scholarships were presented at the CHS Community Scholarship Night at Creekside Middle School. Many donors presented their awards in person, while others joined by video to share the story of their scholarship and to honor the recipient. Jim Streisel, a CHS teacher and 2012 Carmel Clay Schools Teacher of the Year served as the Master of Ceremonies. State Bank generously sponsored the evening which allowed for a reception for donors and presenters prior to the ceremony, and a dessert reception for all honorees and their guests. State Bank President Andy Pinegar congratulated students and announced the Start Me Up Cup, an entrepreneurial scholarship to be funded by State Bank and awarded in 2023.
CEF is the non-profit partner of Carmel Clay Schools and is governed by a volunteer board of directors who raise funds to support the scholarship program, to fund teacher and school grants, and to provide resources for Carmel Clay Schools. The CEF scholarship program is the largest public education foundation scholarship program in Indiana. For more information visit ccs.k12.in.us/foundation/scholarships or contact Executive Director Jennifer Penix at jpenix1@ccs.k12.in.us or (317) 844-9961 ext. 2680.
About the Carmel Education Foundation
One of the oldest foundations of its kind, the Carmel Education Foundation was created to help Carmel Clay students achieve their full potential. Since 1966, CEF has awarded over $2.1 million in college scholarships to Carmel High School seniors and over $850,000 in education grants to inspire lifelong learning for Carmel Clay students. CEF is governed by a volunteer board of directors who give their time and energy to accelerate the Foundation’s mission by funding grants, awarding more than 80 scholarships annually and expanding resources for Carmel Clay Schools.