State awards educator scholarship to local students

Local students preparing to become teachers are among this year's recipients of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle).

The scholarship program, established in 2016 through legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly, awards a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 per year (up to $40,000 total) to high-achieving high school and college students who agree to teach in an eligible Indiana school for five years. A record-breaking 1,091 students applied for the 2025-2026 Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, with nearly 300 scholarships awarded.

"These scholarships help our future teachers cover the cost of college while preparing to lead Indiana's classrooms," Baird said. "It's an investment in both their future and the students they'll serve."

This year, these local students were among the scholarship recipients:

• Corey Branigan, Cloverdale High School;
• Avery Capps, Greencastle Senior High School;
• Addison Owen, Edgewood High School;
• Ryleigh Secrest, Cloverdale High School; and
• Kynndall Willhite, North Putnam Sr High School.

Baird said those qualifying for the scholarship must 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 a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

To learn more and apply for the next round of scholarships opening in the fall, visit LearnMoreIndiana.org/nextteacher. Questions may be directed to NextTeacher@che.in.gov.