What did the scholarship allow you to do that you otherwise wouldn’t have done?

I always tell people that the scholarship changed my life. It’s hard to imagine my life without it. It allowed me to go to my first choice school that would have created tremendous debt for me and my parents. Having that monetary freedom allowed me to take advantage of some other opportunities, like studying abroad and taking internships. And, it probably contributed to me staying in Indiana and even taking jobs in the nonprofit sector.

What’s one way you’ve been able to give back to your community?

I am really happy that I’ve been able to coach middle school volleyball for the past five years. The school needed a last minute fill in and I thought I might just do one interim year, but I absolutely loved it and really enjoyed being around the game again, so I kept coaching. Volleyball was very important to me at a similar age. It helped me find my voice and confidence, and turned me into a leader both on and off the court. I think it’s one of the best team sports and I love that I get to share that camaraderie and passion with young girls, many of whom also need some positivity and confidence in themselves.

What’s the last novel you read?

I just finished Land by Maggie O’Farrell, and it was my favorite book of the year. The sentences were beautiful, the plot winding and at times unpredictable, and I truly miss the characters. I haven’t read her book Hamnet yet, but that’s now at the top of my list! 

What’s one community organization you’re proud to be a part of?

In 2018 a community leader gathered a few people together to talk about how we could make a better/more visual entrance to Greencastle. I had only lived in Greencastle for a few years, but he had known me for a long time, so he brought me to the table. That group came up with the idea of creating a very large mural (we think it’s Indiana’s largest) on some very old and decrepit silos as you come into town. It was a huge success locally, and it turned into the Putnam County Mural Festival, which now commissions international and regional artists to create murals around the county every other year. I know nothing about art and murals. But my co-founders do. And I understand the importance of community building, tourism, and placemaking. I can fundraise and write grants and manage a budget. I love that I get to be part of this group making Putnam County a more vibrant place to live and visit.