Announcing the 2018 First Generation Hope Scholars
Spring is an exciting time for high school seniors planning to start college in the fall. It can also be an anxious time, especially for students who are dependent upon scholarships to make their dreams of higher education possible. With this in mind, in 2017 The Salvation Army worked with multiple donors to establish the First Generation Hope Scholars Program. The scholarship funds that make up this program are intended to help Indiana students become the first in their families to pursue a higher education and attain a college degree.
This Thursday we will celebrate the first class of scholarship recipients at a special luncheon and award ceremony in Indianapolis. The First Generation Hope Scholars Luncheon will take place on March 15 at the Indianapolis Propylaeum, one of the city’s most beautiful architectural jewels, located at 1410 N. Delaware Street. The luncheon will begin at 11:45 and wrap up around 1:15 (reservations required). Guests are free to stay and take self-guided tours of the 3-story historic home after the program ends. 
Scholarships to be awarded on Thursday include:
- The Steven L. Gould First Generation Hope Scholars Memorial Fund
- The Louis W. and Pamela A. Venema Scholarship
- The Mary Frances Rubley and Jerry Hummer “All Things Are Possible” Scholarship
Thursday’s luncheon and award ceremony will be emceed by Eric Halvorson, a long-time supporter of The Salvation Army and member of the Advisory Board in Central Indiana. He will be joined by our keynote speaker, Corey Parchmen, founder of Mini Men Pre-K Leadership Academy. Corey has combined his love for teaching with the resources and lessons learned from a career in the NFL to help children in Indianapolis escape generational poverty through education.
If you have any questions about the luncheon, please contact Sandy Gould at sandy_gould@usc.salvationarmy.org or 317-224-1010. Students, parents, and high school counselors who would like more information about the 2019 First Generation Hope Scholars application process may contact Major Beth Petrie at beth_petrie@usc.salvationarmy.org.