Marion High School is proud to spotlight an outstanding member of the Class of 2025 who was recently awarded an IHSAA / C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship: Nathaniel Beck.
Beck is one of only 12 student-athletes across the state chosen from among more than 150 applicants for this special scholarship this year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association announced in a news release on March 20.
“These well-rounded, positive role models have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character, sportsmanship, and citizenship,” the IHSAA said in the release.
Beck will receive a $2,500 scholarship and will be recognized during the IHSAA Foundation Impact Awards set for April 17 at Gridiron Hall, part of the Indianapolis Colts Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis.
He plans to attend Purdue University College of Engineering, where he will study chemical engineering.
Beck is the valedictorian of the MHS Class of 2025, with a 5.086 weighted grade-point average. He is also a standout multi-sport athlete and has earned 16 varsity letters. He is All-State Academic in soccer, cross country, and track and field, wrestling, and served as team captain for all four sports. He has also earned All-North Central Conference (NCC) and All-NCC Academic awards in all four sports. He has been a state qualifier in track and field, a semi-state qualifier in cross country, and a regional qualifier in wrestling. In track and field he has also been a Midwest Meet of Champions qualifier.
Beck is very active in clubs and community service as well. He is the co-founder of MHS’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes club, a leader in Student Senate and Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, president of National Honor Society, a member of Science National Honor Society, and an officer of M-Club. He has been an AP Ambassador and a member of the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee, and he is involved with the Best Buddies Club at MHS. He has volunteered with the Grant County Rescue Mission, and he has helped provide athletic opportunities for younger students, helping with the youth soccer camp and officiating at middle school track and field events and wrestling meets. He has also volunteered at the NAIA National Championship Track Meet.
The C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship is the IHSAA’s largest and longest-standing scholarship. Previously known as the Centennial Scholarship, it was renamed in the 2009-10 season in tribute to former IHSAA Commissioner C. Eugene “Gene” Cato. He served as Assistant Commissioner of the Association from 1976 until he became the Commissioner of the IHSAA in 1983, and went on to provide leadership until he retired in 1995. Cato’s passion for athletics and his belief in the intrinsic value of athletic competition on the formation of a child’s character enabled him to positively impact generations of young men and women with his well-known “firm, fair, and friendly” approach to caring for others. Gene passed away in October of 2008.
Since 2003, IHSAA has recognized 293 outstanding student-athletes with scholarships, totaling $676,500. The IHSAA Foundation Impact Awards serves to recognize the accomplishments of the next generation of leaders in competition, in the classroom, and in their communities, IHSAA said. Sponsors of this year’s event include Forte Sports Medicine, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Fever, the Indiana Pacers, and Sport Graphics Inc.