AIM YP HELPING LAWRENCEBURG, SOUTH DEARBORN FUTURE LEADERS PAY FOR COLLEGE

Rachel Magee receives her AIM Young Professionals Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarship check from AIM YP president Mike Perleberg. 

Three recent high school graduates are getting help paying for college from AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County.

The AIM YP Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarships acknowledge the recipients' strong leadership, academic excellence, and big ideas for their home county. The scholarships are funded by the annual AIM YP 5K, sponsorship of the organization by local businesses, and membership dues.

Lawrenceburg High School graduate Rachel Magee earned the first place scholarship worth $750. Magee ranked at the top of her class. She participated the high school’s academic team, Spanish club, key club, and soccer team. Exhibiting her leadership abilities, Magee also served as president of the student council and National Honor Society chapter. When not at school, Rachel worked as a ski instructor at Perfect North Slopes or tutoring other students.

Each scholarship applicant was required to write an essay about a business idea they have or a way to improve an existing local institution or business. In her essay, Magee pitched the idea of establishing a preschool in Dearborn County in which children would have the opportunity to learn in an interactive, hands-on way while focusing on exploration and discovery.

“I want to thank YP for awarding me the scholarship. I liked that the essays allowed me to be creative and include drawings beside just writing,” Magee said.

Rachel plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to study interior design and business. She is the daughter of Andy and Tina Magee, of Greendale.

Two more local students each earned $500 runner-up scholarships from AIM YP. They are Lawrenceburg High School graduate Katlyn Fischer and South Dearborn High School graduate Evan Oatman.

Fischer excelled academically while being active in LHS’ softball team, choir, French club, pep club, National Honor Society, and Students Against Destructive Decisions. She also works a part-time job as a server and hostess at the local Bob Evans restaurant. The daughter of Dillsboro residents Ken and Carla Fischer, Katlyn will begin attending Purdue University to study economics in the fall.

“Thank you to the scholarship committee for allowing me to put this money to good use,” Fischer said.

Katlyn Fischer is presented her scholarship.

Oatman plans to attend the University of Tennessee to double major in communications and business analytics. While at South Dearborn, he served as vice president of the student government and was a member of the school football, basketball, and track and field teams. During the spring semester of his senior year, Oatman was among the first participants in Aurora Utilities’ new internship program. He is the son of Eric and Meghan Oatman, of Aurora.

“This scholarship stood out to me because I’ve always taken an interest in creating jobs. I love the business world,” Oatman shared.

Evan Oatman (left) accepts his scholarship check from AIM YP president Mike Perleberg.

 AIM YP has provided other worthy students help with paying for college or pursuing a career straight out of high school. Each year, the organization administers the Maverick Challenge business planning competition open to all of Dearborn County’s high school students. This year's county champion, South Dearborn High School freshman Sidney Schaefer, won a $2,000 prize.

AIM YP plans to offer the AIM YP Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarships and the Maverick Challenge again in the 2016-2017 school year to students at East Central, Lawrenceburg, and South Dearborn high schools. Interested students and parents can learn more by visiting www.AIMYP.com or inquiring with their school guidance counselor.