Scholarship Process

Each Year the Carmel United Methodist Higher Education Committee awards graduating seniors (or any High School Graduate who has not previously applied) scholarships based on several critera

    -Church and Youth Ministry Particpation

    -Faith Growth & Experience

    -Reference Letters

    -GPA & Educational Goals

The Scholarships Awarded in 2008 included...

Our first scholarship recipient is Sarah Culy, a member of Carmel United Methodist Church for two years. Sarah has been very active in active through youth service, life groups/small groups, summer 2006 Mission Trip to North Carolina, Summer 2007 Mission Trip to Mexico, Christmas Tree sales, youth worship band singer, car wash sales, making donuts, and even had an acting role in the dinner theater play, "It's a Cool Life!". Sarah does volunteer work through National Honor Society, has worked as a camp counselor at Cool Creek Park, was a girls cross country captain - where she also earned three separate varsity letters, and is co-editor of her yearbook. Sarah is graduating from Westfield High School. Sarah plans to pursue a degree in Art possibly visual communications and attend Ball State University.

Our second scholarship recipient is Ashlee N. Evancic. Ashlee, a 12-year member of Carmel UMC, has volunteered at Vacation Bible School; helped with Soup's On; and has been on mission trips. Ashlee has been able to volunteer and reach out to her community through Girl Scouts and Key Club. Ashlee has received the Principal's Award and perfect attendance award. She also received the star award for being most improved in her class. Ashlee is graduating from Carmel High School and will be attending Ball State University. She plans to major in elementary education..

Madeline Podgorski is our third scholarship recipient. Madie has been a member of Carmel United Methodist Church for 14 years. Madie has been a volunteer with Fletcher Place. She has been on three Mission Trips: Iowa in 2005, North Carolina in 2006, and Mexico in 2007. Madie has been involved in the youth group through attending services, being a member of the youth leadership team, and participating in small life groups Bible study. Madie has participated in fundraisers such as car washes and tree sales at Christmas. As a child, Madie participated in VBS, and now she has served as a station assistant, crew leader and has helped with set-up and tear-down. The Angel Tree Mission has always been her favorite project and she has bought, wrapped, organized, and delivered gifts to families. She has also been to Fletcher Place to serve breakfast to homeless people. Sharing the conversations with individuals at these places have meant the most to Madie, and she feels very blessed to have had these experiences. Madie is a four-year member of the dance team and a three-year captain of the team at Westfield High School. She is also a four-year member of the advanced choir. She has competed both as a solo pianist and singer and as a choir member. She has been a member of Amnesty International, National Honor Society and Pen Pal Club. Madie has also served as a tutor of other high school students in math Spanish and English. Madie is graduating from Westfield High School and will be attending Butler University where she  will be in the engineering dual degree program with her focus on biomedical engineering where she will have a degree from both Butler University and the Purdue University School of Engineering.

Our next scholarship recipient is Brian A. Bading. Brian has been a member of Carmel United Methodist Church for seven years. He has been involved in a mission trip here in Indianapolis where he helped sand and paint scaffolding. He has helped with Christmas tree sales and cleanup. Brian volunteered with the Tour de Carmel. Brian is an assistant Junior Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 132. Brian has received a class departmental award for business. Brian has received his Eagle Scout rank. Brian is graduating from Carmel High School and is attending Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis where he plans to major in Biomedical Engineering.

Another scholarship recipient is Andrea C. Reifeis. A member of the church for fourteen years, Andrea has participated in church through youth service. Andrea went through the Confirmation process and attended the Confirmation Retreat. She participated in Christmas tree sales and has helped light the candles in the Christmas Eve service. Andrea participated at Carmel High School in Prime Life Enrichment, Student Athletic Board and Dance Marathon. Andrea was selected as an Ambassador for NCAA "Stay in Bounds" program for three years and this program took her to elementary schools to teach third and fourth graders the importance of hard work in their sports and academics. Andrea also serves on the Principal's Advisory Committee. Andrea received eight varsity letters; four in cross country; three in track and field, and one in swimming. Andrea also served as captain of the Girls 2007 Cross Country Team. Andrea also is receiving the Distinguished Graduate Award naming the top students (high GPAs as well as multiple activities). Andrea also is a member of the National Honor Society,  Carmel High School House Member, and GKOM (Greyhound Kickoff Mentor). Andrea is graduating from Carmel High School and is attending Purdue University where she plans to get a degree in Health and Kinesiology.

Our sixth scholarship recipient is a lifelong member of the church, Alexa R. Robbins. Alexa has volunteered at Fletcher's Place, the Garage Sales, went through the Confirmation Program and attended the Retreat, and has gone on as many mission trips as possible! She attends youth worship every Sunday and attends youth group every Sunday evening. Alexa has been a volunteer at St. Vincent New Hope and a member of All-Star Dance Team. Alexa has also worked at Bub's Burgers while doing all of these other things! Alexa is graduating from Brebeuf Jesuit College Preparatory School and is attending Purdue University where she plans to major in Chemistry with hopes of getting into the Pharmacy program.

Lee Shiverdecker is our seventh scholarship recipient! Lee has been a member of our church for nine years. Lee has attended Sunday School almost every week for the past nine years and was involved in Youth Group throughout middle school and early high school. He has also helped with Christmas tree sales. Lee also worked with the Coats for Kids project, and has assisted with IHN program helping with kids' activities. Over the past six years, Lee has walked and raised funds for the Homeward Bound Walk-a-thon. Lee has been very active with Young Life and many of their activities and projects. The previous two years, he has also been a Wyld Life leader, the program that focuses on middle school Young Life. He also attends their weekly Bible study on Monday nights. Lee also was a State DECA competitor for 2 years and received an award for the highest test score this year. He is a member of the National Honor Society. Lee is also a GKOM (Greyhound Kickoff Mentor). Lee also worked with the Invisible Children organization at Carmel High School (a new club) raising funds for children displaced by the Civil War in Uganda; he also served as one of the club's board members. Lee is graduating from Carmel High School and plans to attend Indiana University where he will major in Business Management/Administration.

Our final scholarship recipient is Kevin G. Silvius! Kevin has attended our church for 18 years and has been a member for seven years. His activities with church include: mission trips to Iowa, Mexico, Mississippi, and planning to attend the upcoming trip to Mexico. He has participated in small groups since they began, and participated in youth group before that. He has helped with the Garage Sales, and Christmas Tree Sales, and the trip to Kings Island. With his lawn mowing business, Kevin has helped out in the community many times. Kevin received an award for Vocational Building Trades. Graduating from Carmel High School, Kevin plans to attend Purdue University where he will major in Construction Management.