Sullivan: Local students receive first-ever educator scholarship

STATEHOUSE (May 24, 2017) — Local students planning to pursue a career in education are among the recipients of this year’s Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship, according to State Rep. Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville).

Sullivan supported legislation creating this scholarship program last year to help incentivize top-performing students to pursue a career teaching in Hoosier classrooms. 

“As a mother of three children, I am grateful that Indiana has always had strong teachers. We must continue to foster a culture that places a high importance on education,” Sullivan said. “This scholarship program was created in hopes of attracting more students to the teaching profession. I would like to congratulate these scholars and wish them the best as they start their pursuit of a career.”

The Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship pays $7,500 per year for up to four years to students who obtain their teaching license and commit to teaching in Indiana for five consecutive years. The scholarship is available to 200 high-achieving high school and college students each year who either graduate in the top 20 percent of their class or earn a score in the top 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT.

Over 600 students applied, and 200 scholarships were awarded to highly qualified students across the state, including these recipients from Vanderburgh and Warrick counties:

Vanderburgh County

• Alexa Butler, William Henry Harrison High School, University of Evansville
• Kiley Pugh, William Henry Harrison High School, University of Southern Indiana
• Garrett Smith, William Henry Harrison High School, Indiana University Bloomington 

Warrick County

• Courtney Seitz, Castle High School, University of Southern Indiana
• Samantha Wallisch, Castle High School, University of Evansville 

“The Commission wants to congratulate all 200 of the students who were chosen to receive the Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship,” Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers said. “We were encouraged by the high-quality applicants and know these future teachers will have a positive impact in Indiana classrooms.”

The 2018-2019 application will be available beginning in the fall. Visit www.LearnMoreIndiana.org/nextteacher for more information.

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State Rep. Holli Sullivan represents House District 78, 

which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.

A high-resolution photo of Sullivan can be downloaded by clicking here.