AIM YP PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TO DEARBORN COUNTY GRADUATES

Abbigail Sampson (left) with AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County President Hollie Stoops following the surprise delivery of her scholarship check.

Because of their strong leadership, big ideas, and excellent grades, AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County has awarded three recent high school graduates with AIM YP Future Leaders of Dearborn County Scholarships.

The annual scholarships are funded through sponsorships for the AIM YP 5K Run/Walk presented by Walmart and Top Quality Building Products held each spring and annual membership dues.

Each scholarship applicant was required to be a student at any of Dearborn County's three high schools or residing in Dearborn County. In addition to their transcripts, each student had to compose an essay their ideas for promoting growth and prosperity in Dearborn County, as well as a second essay detailing their goals and professional aspirations. Two letters of recommendation from professionals or teachers outside their immediate family were also requested.

Two students were chosen from among several qualified candidates in earning AIM YP Future Leaders of Dearborn County Scholarships. Lawrenceburg High School senior Abbigail Sampson and South Dearborn High School's Kaleb Barrows were each awarded $500 to aid in financing their college education.

"This is the best graduation gift, I am so surprised!" Sampson said during a surprise awarding of the scholarship check by AIM YP President Hollie Stoops at her graduation party.

Along with outstanding grades, Sampson's high school activities helping her earn the scholarship included four years on the LHS Academic Team, Students Against Substance Abuse, Student Council, and volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

In her essay, Sampson wrote about her involvement with the Girls on the Run youth health and fitness program and how it has helped lead her towards choosing to study to become a dietitian.

AIM YP's board selected Barrows because of his enthusiasm in the classroom, volunteering, in athletics, and working with his hands. In his essay, the future Xavier University student wrote that he plans to become a dentist and establish an office in Dearborn County.

"I have had a goal from a very young age that I want to own my own business," Barrows stated. "As I have grown older I have evolved that dream into the idea of owning my own dental practice. I feel owning a practice in the Dearborn County area would not only benefit me, but others as well. I have always felt the desire to give back to others with hard work and dedication and believe this would be the chance for me to do that."

Barrows has volunteered numerous hours with the Hope Baptist Church Worship Band, Ripley Creek hunting Association, ORSANCO River Sweep, and other causes. During the summer break before college, Barrows said he plans to try his hand at building pergolas and gazebos. 

Additionally, South Dearborn senior Andrew Bruner was awarded the $250 Young Professionals Scholarship through South Dearborn Dollars for Scholars. He received the scholarship at Dollars for Scholars' awards ceremony held at Dearborn Country Club on June 5.

Bruner is a four-year member of the South Dearborn cross country team and math academic team, as well as an inductee into the National Honor Society. With the help of the Dollars for Scholars Young Professionals Scholarship, he plans to attend Mount St. Joseph University in the fall.

In his essay, Bruner wrote about his desires to help young people in Dearborn County realize the importance of responsible personal finance by offering weekend classes.

"These courses would help the students be able to make sound financial decisions by covering a range of topics," he said.

AIM YP has provided other worthy students help with paying for college. Each year, the organization administers the Maverick Challenge business planning competition for Dearborn County's high school students. 

In May, South Dearborn senior Crystal Nichols was named the 2014 Dearborn County Maverick Challenge Champion and won $3,000 at the local and regional competition levels. Classmates Andrew Wildridge and Kerry Raab shared a $500 prize as the local runner-up team.

AIM YP plans to offer the AIM YP Future Leaders of Dearborn County Scholarships and the Maverick Challenge again in 2015 to students at East Central, Lawrenceburg, and South Dearborn high schools. Interested students and parents can learn more by visiting www.AIMYP.com.