Indiana High School Athletic Association

Centennial Scholarship Recipients

As an integral part of its Centennial Celebration, the Indiana High School Athletic Association is presenting 10 scholarships to outstanding student athletes from throughout the state. Each of the scholarships is for $2,500.00.

Over 100 applications were received for the scholarships and a blue ribbon panel, through much time and effort, decided upon the deserving students. That panel consisted of: Steve Heck, Executive Director, Indiana Association of School Principals; Bob Kanaby, Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations; Lee Lonzo, President, IHSAA Board of Directors; Patty Poehler, Vice-President, Farm Bureau Insurance; Suellen Reed, Superintendent, Indiana Department of Education; and Blake Ress, Commissioner, Indiana High School Athletic Association.

The IHSAA wishes to express its appreciation to three outstanding organizations which provided the financial support to make these scholarships possible: Methodist Sports Medicine Center, the Official Sports Medicine/Health Care Provider to the IHSAA; Jostens, producers of all IHSAA championship rings and a leading provider of products, programs and services that help people celebrate important moments, recognize achievements and build affiliations and; WIBC, the flagship radio station of the IHSAA Championship Network.

This year’s recipients are:

William T. Borders is the salutatorian of his graduating class at Tell City High School. William has lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. His extra-curricular activities have included four years membership in the Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), French Club, Relay for Life and his church Youth Council. Additionally, William has been a member of his school’s Student Council for two years, served as class president his senior year, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Named to Hoosier Boys State, serving as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and through the many other service projects in which he participates, William has shown a desire and empathy to provide service to his community and those in need.

Elizabeth Crumble, a three year member of the National Honor Society, has garnered the valedictorian honors of her graduating class at Calumet High School. Elizabeth was a three sport athlete all four years of her career with the Warriors, participating in basketball, and serving as captain of the volleyball and tennis teams. She has been an active member of the Student Council, leading that group as a class officer her junior and senior years. Active in student government, serving in her school’s Student Senate for three years, Elizabeth has also found time to be a peer tutor, while participating in the Student Senate food drive and the Student Council blood drive.

Laura Geswein is the valedictorian of the class of 2004 at Plainfield High School. Laura has earned seven varsity letters in cross country and track while maintaining a 4.445 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Laura has been a four year member of the Key Club and the German Club and a two year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Ambassadors and the National Honor Society, serving as this organization’s Vice President. Laura’s talents extend into the arts as she was named the Outstanding Junior in Art at Plainfield last year. Laura is also very active in her church participating in their youth group, religious education, and the parish youth council. She has been a teacher of pre-school religious education and a vacation bible school teacher for two years.

Patricia R. Gorenc of Delta High School is a student athlete who is a four year standout on her school’s soccer and tennis teams. Her accomplishments of straight A grades, a 1350 SAT score and a three-year membership in the National Honor Society are evidence of her focus on academics. Each of her four years at Delta, Patricia has served as her class treasurer, while maintaining membership on the Student Council. Her volunteer activities are exemplary. While excelling in academics and athletics, she still finds time for blood drives, recycling programs, Habitat for Humanity, and the Harvest Soup Kitchen.

Nate Hollander is the salutatorian of the class of 2004 at Heritage Hills High School. A member of the National Honor Society for three years, he is also a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student. Nate was a four year member of the football team and a participant on the 2000 Class 3A state championship team. He was also an outstanding three year member of the Patriots track team. Nate has served as the Student Council treasurer for four years, and has maintained a membership in the school’s pep club, while performing as a Community Action Volunteer, part of his commitment to activities of service both in his community and school. He also has been very active in his church, serving in the youth group and as the Sunday school secretary for four years.

Lindsay Jackson captured valedictorian accolades for the class of 2004 at Bloomington North High School. A member of the National Honor Society during her four years there, Lindsay has also excelled as a member of the school’s swim team, setting several school records. She has been a Student Council officer for four years and is currently the student body president, all the while showcasing her abilities as a member of the Cougars show choir for three years. Her volunteer service in the community has been exemplary, giving of her time and efforts for Habitat for Humanity, Middleway House and Southern Indiana Pediatrics. Lindsay has also found time to be a member of the First United Methodist Church Handbell Choir for the past four years.

Thomas H. Rish of Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran High School has been a member of his school’s soccer, basketball and baseball teams for the past four years. As a student, Tommy ranks near the top of his class, while taking a challenging schedule of honors and advanced placement courses. A quiet leader, highly respected by both students and adults, Thomas is a two year member of the National Honor Society. Additionally, he gives of himself as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has been very active in his church, serving as a Bible study leader, church usher, and a leader of the youth in the community, serving as a mentor for third-graders.

Aubrey Smith is the salutatorian of the 2004 graduating class at Noblesville High School. With her outstanding SAT score of 1400, Aubrey is a member of the National Honor Society. Athletically, she has been a four year member of the Millers track and cross country teams. She is active in girls show choir and has taken a strong role in planning and developing leadership development programs. While at Noblesville, Aubrey has been involved with the Challenge Retreat Leadership Group, a member of 4-H, and she is active in the Christian church.

Christine E. Thompson is a gifted student maintaining the second highest cumulative grade point average in a very talented senior class at Northwestern High School. While there, Christine has been a four year member of the school’s golf team, leading the Tigers to a berth in the IHSAA State Championships. Christine is heavily involved in extra-curricular activities. She has carried membership in 4-H, is a four year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a three year member of Rotary Interact and a four year member of the Drama Club and the Sunshine Society. Christine has put her many talents on display as a three year member of the all-state honor choir, while participating in regional and state music competitions throughout her four years of high school.

Whitney Young will serve as valedictorian for the class of 2004 at LaCrosse High School. As an athlete for the Tigers, she earned an amazing 19 varsity letters, competing as a four year member of her school’s volleyball, cross country and basketball teams, and also a three year performer in track and softball. Whitney has had membership in the National Honor Society for three years and was a strong contributor on her school’s Academic Superbowl Team. Whitney participates in a variety of volunteer activities, including heavy involvement in the work of refurbishing area community parks. She has also been active with the Girls’ Club and the LaPorte County Leadership Program.

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