GRADUATES EARN DEARBORN COUNTY "FUTURE LEADER" SCHOLARSHIPS

AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County award four scholarships totaling $1,750

AIM Young Professionals awarded four Dearborn County high school students their checks for the annual AIM YP Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarships on May 23. Pictured (left to right) are AIM YP Co-Secretary Cara Brooks, Alex Smith of South Dearborn High School, Holly Nutley of Lawrenceburg High School, Kara Newman of Lawrenceburg High School, and Zac Cody of East Central High School. 

(Dearborn County, Ind.) – East Central High School graduating senior Zac Cody has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County.

AIM YP recently presented winners from East Central, Lawrenceburg and South Dearborn high schools with the organization’s annual Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarships. The scholarships acknowledge the recipients’ strong leadership, academic excellence, and big ideas.

The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Zac Cody. After graduating from East Central this spring, he plans to attend Purdue University and study wildlife next fall as he pursues a career in ecology.

In their scholarship applications, each recipient was asked to write an essay about a business idea they have or devise a way to improve an existing local institution or business. In his essay, Zac wrote about a real business he is already running called HAIRlooms by Zac.

HAIRlooms by Zac allows customers to choose a piece of pottery that Zac has spun. They then send hair of a person or a pet to Zac, who burns the hair to the pottery after it has been heated in a kiln to 1,200 degrees.

“The hair leaves unique carbon trails and smoke patterns. It’s a way to commemorate an animal or a person,” says Cody.

Zac, whose application also included glowing letters of recommendation and an outstanding high school transcript, is the son of David and Karen Cody of West Harrison.

Kara Newman, a senior at Lawrenceburg High School, was awarded a $250 Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarship. Kara plans to attend the University of Evansville to major in neuroscience. She has already earned direct entry into the physician assistant program.

“I heard about it at school in our senior newsletter with all the scholarships listed on there. So I thought I’d apply,” Newman said.

Kara is the daughter of Kipp and Cindy Newman of Greendale.

Fellow LHS classmate, Holly Nutley, also earned a $250 scholarship from AIM YP. She plans to go to the University of Cincinnati to study interior design.

Holly is the daughter of Chris and Stephanie Nutley of Greendale.

Alex Smith of South Dearborn High School was awarded a $250 scholarship. After high school graduation this spring, Alex will attend Franklin College where he will major in elementary education and play baseball for the Grizzlies.

Alex is the son of Bill and Michelle Smith of Greendale.

The AIM YP Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarships are funded by the annual AIM YP 5K, sponsorship of the organization by local businesses, and membership dues.

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 for Dearborn County’s high school students. This year’s Dearborn County champions, South Dearborn High School seniors Oliver Moisio and Chris Weissmann, won a $1,750 prize to be shared.

AIM YP plans to offer the AIM YP Future Leader of Dearborn County Scholarships and the Maverick Challenge again in 2017-2018 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.