INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis City-County Councillor Blake Johnson has announced the recipients of the 2018 Eastside Emerging Leaders Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors (or adults planning to enroll in post-secondary education for the first time) who live or go to school in Council District 12 and who have demonstrated a commitment to community service and volunteerism. This year, the program awarded $20,000 in scholarships — the largest sum to date.
The recipients of the Eastside Emerging Leaders Scholarship are:
• Vivian Armstrong, Thomas Carr Howe Community High School
• Kassidy Batt, Cathedral High School
• Dayla Bedford, Thomas Carr Howe Community High School
• Chloe Edwards, Irvington Preparatory Academy
• Atanai Nunez Samaniego, Arsenal Technical High School
• Clarissa Simnick, Herron High School
• Kristen Sitzman, Scecina Memorial High School
“This group of award recipients represents some of the best and brightest in our community,” said Councillor Johnson. “They have shown an uncommon commitment to giving back, making our city and neighborhoods stronger, and proving that young people can make an extraordinary difference.”
Scholarship selections were made by a panel representing the neighborhoods of City Council District 12, including representatives of the Historic Irvington Community Council, Little Flower Neighborhood Association, Community Heights Neighborhood Organization, Bosart Brown Neighborhood Association, Emerson Heights Community Organization, Otterbein Neighborhood Association, and the Christian Park neighborhood.
The Eastside Emerging Leaders Scholarship is made possible using a portion of City Councillor Blake Johnson’s salary, as well as donations from local entrepreneur Chris Baggott, IPS Board of Commissioners President Mike O’Connor, Community Hospital East, Citizens Energy Group, Black Acre Brewing Company and individual donations from community members.