Aaron Sandel, a senior at Benton Central Junior/Senior High School and 10-year 4-H member in Shelby Township, Tippecanoe County received a $1,000 state accomplishment award and college scholarship from the Indiana 4-H Foundation.
    Sponsored by Gerald and Robin Nickel & Katie Stam Irk (Miss America 2009), the Servant Leadership Scholarship recognizes Sandel’s accomplishments in 4-H projects and his outstanding work in citizenship. Aaron plans to study Communication and play jazz in college next year.
    Alec Ward, a 2017 graduate of Benton Central Junior/Senior High School and 10-year 4-H member in Shelby Township, Tippecanoe County received a $1,000 state accomplishment award and college scholarship for his outstanding work in communication.
    Ward’s scholarship was sponsored by The National Group. Alec is a sophomore at Ball State University pursuing a career in telecommunications and audio production.
These awards were two of 42 given out to recognize life skill acquisition and accomplishment by the Indiana 4-H Foundation at its annual Scholarship and Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on November 10th in Carmel. Scholarship recipients from junior in high school to sophomores in college were chosen from nearly a thousand applicants from across the state.
    “We are proud to be able to award $45,000 in college scholarships thanks to the generosity of our donors,” said Shelly Bingle, Executive Director of the Indiana 4-H Foundation. “Each recipient was chosen through a rigorous application and interview process, and they are all very deserving of this honor.”
    The Scholarship Recognition luncheon was hosted by FOX59’s Gabby Gonzalez, with music by former 4-Her Caroline McKinney of Austin, Texas.
     Aaron and Alec have been friends for over 12 years and were especially pleased to be able to share this moment of success.
    From riding the school bus to and from Otterbein Elementary each day, to their performances with the Benton Central band program, to shared local, county, and state 4-H events such as State 4-H Band and State Junior Leader Conference, these young men count their friendship as one of the greatest benefits of 4-H.