Franklin College student awarded 'Realizing the Dream' scholarship; FCHS teacher also honored

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin College sophomore Ella Mitchell was honored with the Independent Colleges of Indiana’s (ICI) “Realizing the Dream” scholarship. Mitchell, a resident of Franklin, was one of 28 college students to receive the award.

The award recipients were recognized with the “Realizing the Dream” scholarship at a reception and awards dinner in February at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. Along with recognition at this event, each award winner received $5,000 to assist with the costs associated with attending college.

The scholarship is made possible through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The “Realizing the Dream” program honors one student from each ICI member institution who is the first in their families to attend college.

Mitchell’s academic achievements during her first year at the College were a factor in her nomination for the award by Franklin College. She is a multimedia journalism and Spanish major with an art minor. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, serving as the chapter’s Vice President of Inclusion. She also serves as the Vice President of the Latinx Student Association.

“The Realizing the Dream Scholarship has provided me with a sense of financial security that allows me to pursue my education and embrace my college experience with greater peace of mind,” said Mitchell. “I am grateful for the recognition of my academic achievements and that the dedication I have invested in my studies has not gone unnoticed.”

The “Realizing the Dream” program also provides a $1,000 professional development grant to the teacher whose guidance, encouragement, and belief in the student helped make attending college possible. Mitchell chose Kat Sarles, who teaches history at Franklin Community High School.

“Ms. Sarles was the first person who came to mind when I thought about who I wanted to honor with this grant,” noted Mitchell. “In high school, I admired how she turned her love for history and traveling the world into a career and how she taught from such a knowledgeable and real-world perspective."