Ella Mitchell, a graduate of Franklin Community High School and current sophomore at Franklin College, has been awarded the “Realizing the Dream” scholarship from the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the honor recognizes 28 outstanding first-generation college students across the state.

As part of the recognition, scholarship recipients are invited to acknowledge an educator who had a meaningful impact on their decision to pursue higher education. Mitchell selected her former Franklin Community High School teacher, Kat Sarles.

In a release shared by Franklin College, Mitchell reflected on Sarles’ lasting influence:

“Ms. Sarles was undoubtedly the first person who came to mind when I thought about who I wanted to honor with this grant. In high school, I always looked forward to her class, whether it was World History or U.S. Government. I admired how she turned her love for history and traveling the world into a career and taught from such a knowledgeable, real-world perspective. Because of her influence, Ms. Sarles inspired me to do the same. Before college, I struggled to figure out what I wanted to pursue as a career, but thinking back to her class reminded me that it’s possible to turn passion into purpose, inspiring me to turn my own passion for creativity into a career path.”

The occasion beautifully highlights both Mitchell’s impressive accomplishments as a first-generation student and the profound, lasting impact educators can have on shaping their students’ futures.