Marion High School is proud to spotlight two outstanding members of the Class of 2024 who were recently awarded Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarships by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education: Daniel Terhune and Sabrina Thomas.
The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provides high-achieving high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 per year (up to $40,000 total). In exchange, students agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding, prorated amount of the scholarship. Recipients are selected through a competitive process based on academic achievement and additional factors.
Terhune was a standout member of the MHS band program, and was previously honored with Marion High School Alumni Association previously awarded him the MHSAA F. Ritchie Walton Arts Scholarship. He will be attending Indiana Wesleyan University for music education and theater.
During his time at MHS, Terhune was named to various state honor ensembles and earned numerous regional and state Solo and Ensemble awards. He was a member of several MHS music ensembles, including marching band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, pep band, jazz choir, and show choir. He was also involved in theater, and was a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Society, and the tennis team. He was a JROTC cadet and a member of their Drill and Color Guard team, earning a Cadet of the Quarter award during his junior year. He was also a camera operator for Marion Giants TV. He has also been active with his church.
Thomas was also a standout member of the MHS band program, and was selected to participate in the Indiana Music Educators Association’s Future Music Educators Colloquium. Students selected for this honor have demonstrated not only musical talent and skill, but also a strong desire to be a music educator. They attend the annual IMEA conference and learn alongside other music educators. She will be attending Ball State University for music education.
During her time at MHS, Thomas was named to various state honor ensembles and earned numerous regional and state Solo and Ensemble awards. She was a member of several MHS music ensembles, including marching band, wind ensemble, and pep band. She was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society and German National Honor Society.
To qualify for Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, students had to either graduate in the top 20 percent of their high school class, earn a score in the 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT, or have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. To continue earning the scholarship in college, students must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year.
There were 307 scholarship winners this year, about a third of the record-breaking 945 students who applied for the 2024-25 Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, a 58 percentage point increase over the previous year. Applications were received from students representing 315 high schools in 89 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Additionally, 71 percent of applicants were Indiana high school seniors with the remainder being current college students.
“Teachers play a vital role in inspiring hope and preparing students for postsecondary and career success,” Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery said. “Thanks to the Indiana General Assembly for supporting this initiative, the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship is key to ensuring future Hoosier educators have access to training and resources needed to build the next generation of the Indiana teacher workforce.”
For more information about the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, including how to apply, click here.
Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education plans, coordinates and defines Indiana’s postsecondary education system to align higher learning with the needs of students and the state. The Commission also administers Indiana’s financial aid programs, including the 21st Century Scholars early college promise scholarship, which celebrated 30 years in 2020.