Morristown Valedictorian setting out to impact world in positive way

Friday, June 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM

Allison Marshall is a fourth-generation graduate of Morristown High School. Yet, she has plans to tackle global problems as an environmental scientist.

Morristown’s Class of 2025 Valedictorian will attend Earlham College and major in Biology with either a minor or double major in Environmental Sustainability.

Marshall’s senior photo of her lying on the floor of a library is telling. Always an advanced reader, she has explored the world outside of northern Shelby County and found issues she wants to help remedy.

“In seventh or eighth grade I had a lot of time to do research,” she explained. “I saw the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an island the size of Texas full of trash. It’s stuff that people have discarded and it ended up there because the ocean flows that way.

“The Ocean Cleanup project is trying to clean it up and get it out of the ocean. That sparked my interest. This is a lot of trash. This is affecting a lot of people and animals. I want to help with situations like that where I can be of use.”

Marshall toured seven different college campuses and found Earlham, located in Richmond, Indiana, to be just right for her.

“Earlham was just my favorite and it made the most financial sense,” she explained. “I just loved Earlham’s campus, the programs, their science spaces are amazing, and they have Miller Farm, which is a big garden where you can do research on soil plants and compost. I think it’s just the perfect place for me.”

While at Morristown, Marshall was an active band member who loved playing trombone in the Jazz Band. She was the president of the senior class and member of the Academic Team. She also was a student manager for the soccer and boys track and field teams.

That sense of small-town pride will travel with her on her first journey away from home.

“I’ve lived here all my life. I have a lot of history here,” she said. “I love the focus on community, how I can do athletic tickets and know half the people coming through because they are all from the school.

“It’s just such a close-knit community, it feels like family. I spent more time at the school than I did at home most days. I really appreciate all the people there.”

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