Whitko Jr/Sr High School held a 2025 Senior Scholarships and Awards program Friday morning, May 16. These prestigious honors recognize outstanding members of the graduating class who have demonstrated exemplary academic performance, leadership, service, and character throughout their high school careers.

The scholarship and award programs at Whitko Jr/Sr High School are designed to celebrate students who have not only excelled in the classroom but have also made meaningful contributions to their school and community. Through their hard work, resilience, and dedication, these students have distinguished themselves as role models among their peers.

“We are incredibly proud of this year’s scholarship and award recipients,” said Jodie Clark, Principal of Whitko Jr/Sr High School. “These students represent the best of what our school stands for — integrity, academic excellence, and a commitment to serving others. It is our privilege to recognize and support them as they take the next step in their educational and personal journeys.”

Each recipient has met or exceeded rigorous academic criteria and has actively demonstrated leadership both in and out of the classroom. Many have volunteered within the community, participated in extracurricular activities, and served as positive ambassadors of Whitko Jr/Sr High School.

These scholarships and awards have been made possible through the generous support of local organizations, businesses, and individual donors who are dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential through education. We extend our sincere gratitude to all contributors for their continued investment in the future of our students.

The full list of awards, scholarships and recognitions are listed below.

This year’s award and scholarship recipients are:

• Kaylee Adkins – Ted & Loretta Easterday Legacy Award, Eppelmann Family Memorial Scholarship, Whitko Community Teachers Association Scholarship, Homer J. Shoop Memorial Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund
• Holly Branning – Justin Hostetler Memorial Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund
• Magdalynn Clark – Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, Jarrod Day Scholarship, Active Impact Scholarship, Daniel D. and Martha J. Rock Memorial Scholarship
• Keaton Cornell – Questa Scholarship, Pierceton Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, Homer J. Shoop Memorial Scholarship, Mary Jane Miller Scholarship, Ignite Your Future: The Don Wood Foundation Scholarship
• Aleeya Cramer – DeMoney Grimes Life Science Scholarship
• Jillian Culp – American Red Cross Scholarship, Pierceton Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, Larwill Lions Club Scholarship, Mediacom World Class Scholarship, Questa Scholarship, Homer J. Shoop Memorial Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund, SRC Scholarship, Robert and Grace Karst R.N. Scholarship, Daniel D. and Martha J. Rock Memorial Scholarship, Charles H. White Scholarship
• Trevor Freel – Ed Pequignot Athletic Award, Questa Scholarship, Ernie Lee Wallen Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund, Ignite Your Future: The Don Wood Foundation Scholarship, Jonathan Lewis Simmons Memorial Scholarship, B.V. and Flossie Widney Memorial Scholarship
• Jaylen Gibson – Mick Bishop Athletic Award
• Easton Grable – Ted & Loretta Easterday Legacy Athletic Award
• Riley Harman – Ernie Lee Wallen Scholarship
• Clifford Hawkins –Tenney Family Scholarship, Whitley Co. Korean War Veterans Memorial Scholarship
• Guy Howard – Senator Harold “Potch” Wheeler Memorial Scholarship, Ignite Your Future: The Don Wood Foundation Scholarship, Gene C. Carter Memorial Scholarship
• Gwen Howard – valedictorian, Ted Eugene & Mary Alice Long Athletic Award
• Issac Irwin – Echoes of the Past Scholarship, Sidney School Alumni Association Award, Eli B. Michel neverlostneverlate Wilderness Scholarship
• Hannah Long – Robert and Grace Karst R.N. Scholarship
• Juan Macias-Nino – Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship
• Chaselynn Neer – Justin Hostetler Memorial Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund
• Aliya Patrick – Schultz Family Foundation First Generation Empowerment Scholarship
• Adriyanna Phillips – Whitko Scholarship Fund
• Carli Reeser – Tenney Family Scholarship, South Whitley Community Facilities Scholarship, Justin Hostetler Memorial Scholarship
• Kohen Schipper – Craig Sherbahn Memorial Ag Plus Scholarship, Homer J. Shoop Memorial Scholarship, Indiana Farm Bureau Scholarship, Keystone Cooperative, Whitko Scholarship Fund, LuAnn Warner Memorial Scholarship, Steven L. Sickafoose Memorial Scholarship, B.V. and Flossie Widney Memorial Scholarship
• Cassidy Skinner – salutatorian, Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, Margaret “Margo” Kaleh Langohr Art Scholarship
• Carle Sroufe – Tenney Family Scholarship, Larwill Lions Club Scholarship, Daniel E. Bolinger Memorial Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund, Steven L. Sickafoose Memorial Scholarship, David “Fuzz” Wilfong Agricultural Scholarship, Craig Sherbahn Memorial Ag Plus Scholarship
• Hannah Thomas – Whitko Community Teachers Association Scholarship, Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, Jarrod Day Scholarship, Pierceton American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship, Indiana Farm Bureau Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund, Phillip and Leta Shriver Scholarship
• Chloe Thompson – Whitko Community Teachers Association Scholarship, Justin Hostetler Memorial Scholarship, South Whitley Community Facilities Scholarship, Whitko Scholarship Fund, Delta Theta Tau Scholarship
• Bailey Wolfe – Whitko Scholarship Fund, Donald E. Love Memorial Scholarship

Students also were recognized for the following:

Earning a Technical Diploma

Addison Bumgardner, Brooklyn Cooley, Jillian Culp, Gabriella Griffith, Annalise Rios, Josephine Scott and Bailey Wolfe

Earning an Academic Honors Diploma

Hope Bradley, Grady Branning, Magdalynn Clark, Mikayla Craft, Madison Cripe, Trevor Freel, Adeline Garr, Isaac Irwin, Juan Macias-Nino, Chaselynn Neer and Adriyanna Phillips

Earning Academic Honors AND Technical Honors Diplomas 

Holly Branning, Amy Brown, Keaton Cornell, Jaylen Gibson, Easton Grable, Emerson Harper, Braisha Harrison, Guy Howard, Gwen Howard, Hannah Long, Kohen Schipper, Cassidy Skinner, Carle Sroufe and Hannah Thomas

Top 10 Percent Academically

Gwen Howard, Cassidy Skinner, Hannah Thomas, Magdalynn Clark, Guy Howard, Madison Cripe, Adeline Garr, Carle Sroufe, Chaselynn Neer and Bailey Wolfe

National Honor Society members

Amy Brown, Magdalynn Clark, Adeline Garr, Adriyanna Phillips, Kohen Schipper and Carle Sroufe