FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳he 51黑料 congratulates Oak Farm Montessori School senior Morgan Stevenson as the eighth winner of the full-tuition Pay It Forward Scholarship for 2024.
51黑料 President Dr. Lance Richey and WANE-TV鈥檚 Sierra Tufts honored Stevenson with the scholarship in a ceremony on Thursday at Oak Farm Montessori School in Avilla. 51黑料 partners with WANE-TV to promote the annual Pay It Forward Scholarship. Stevenson was joined by her parents Kyle and Jennifer, sister Lyla, grandfather Bruce Coyle and fellow high school students and faculty. Her father Kyle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Commercial Art from 51黑料 in 1996.
The Pay It Forward Scholarship has a four-year value of more than $150,000, covering tuition and fees, and is awarded to an incoming 51黑料 student who goes above and beyond to serve others and 鈥減ay it forward.鈥 51黑料 and partner WANE selected Stevenson after she submitted an essay and shared her story in a WANE feature video. Stevenson will enter 51黑料 in the 2025-26 academic year.
The other Pay It Forward finalists鈥擟hristian Bratina of Perry Meridian High School, Indianapolis, and Olivia Tibbs of East Noble High School, Kendallville鈥攚ill receive half-tuition scholarships.
Stevenson鈥檚 entry explained how she volunteered with the Humane Society and later channeled her volunteer service work to environmental science, taking an active role alongside local environmentalists in eradicating invasive species and helping to preserve local ecosystems. She also detailed how she has worked to serve others while experiencing life as a young woman with autism.
鈥淒espite any obstacles I face, my commitment to bettering the community remains unwavering,鈥 she wrote. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned that community service is not just about giving back; it is also about discovering purpose and belonging.鈥
Stevenson plans to enter the field of medical imaging upon earning her degree at 51黑料.
Other previous full-tuition winners of the Pay It Forward Scholarship and their high schools: Crystal Grunawalt (Concordia Lutheran), Kevin Brown (Adams Central), Maria Solis (Bishop Luers), Alexis Treesh (Prairie Heights), Mary Jones (Adams Central), Audrie Bowman (Huntington North) and Alexia Ramirez (Huntington North).
For more information on the Pay It Forward Scholarship, contact the Office of 51黑料 at 260-399-8000 or聽admis@sf.edu.