Growing up, Brandi often wondered if she was going to have food to eat or if she would wake up to find presents under the tree. Living in poverty is never easy, and being able to afford college seemed like a long shot. While in middle school, Brandi was presented with the opportunity of becoming […]
Anyea Gooch remembers the overwhelming feeling when she opened her first bill from Vincennes University as a freshman. “How am I going to do this?” she thought. Then, she checked her bill through the Vincennes digital portal. The online version showed her scholarships applied, including one from 21st Century Scholars to cover all of her […]
Caleb Morey’s dad left the family about 11 years ago, leaving Caleb’s mom to raise two kids on a school nurse’s salary. Saving for college just wasn’t an option. So, when Caleb was in junior high, his mom signed him up for 21st Century Scholars. “I don’t really remember having to do much. Then I […]
She grew up in Huntington County. In middle school, her dad served time in prison, leaving her mom to raise her and her younger sister alone. Thankfully, a guidance counselor knew the family was going through a tough time and recommended Caroline sign up for 21st Century Scholars. “It was sort of presented to me […]
When Katie Huston graduated from Ball State in 2018 with a marketing degree her mom Debbie cried. A lot. “She bawled like a baby,” Huston said. “She’s a huge reason why I am where I am. She’s my biggest supporter.” Debbie Huston did not attend college, but she insisted that her daughter and two sons […]
For Ball State basketball fans, the NCAA first-round tournament game against UCLA in 2000 is a source of pride. Despite losing, the Cardinals fought hard on a national stage against a much larger foe. But the Cardinals weren’t the only underdogs in the arena that night. Another was student sportswriter Tom Gubbins, ’02. For Tom, […]
Andrea McDermott wasn’t just the first person in her family to graduate college—she was the first to graduate high school. Her parents and four older siblings never made it across the graduation stage. Not only did Andrea graduate from Franklin Community High School, she also earned her bachelor’s in political science in 2019 from Ball […]
The opportunity to attend college was a blessing, according to Jonathan Isbill. And the 21st Century Scholars program was like the angel that provided it. “I really wanted to change the world with health and nutrition. They gave me the opportunity to do that. I don’t know that I would have gone to college without […]
Mike Rivera’s dad worked a lucrative job at a Gary steel mill. “For Christmas, whatever we wanted, we got,” Mike recalled Then, when Mike was in fifth grade, his dad left. Suddenly, his mother was raising three children alone. Two years later, she suffered a heart attack that left her permanently unable to work. The […]
Ball State alumna Tammy Brant was inducted into the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance Professionals for her undying commitment to physical education.
