Marion High School Alumni Association congratulates this year’s winners of the MHSAA F. Ritchie Walton Arts Scholarship: Elise Henry, Stella Inskeep, and Daniel Terhune, all members of Marion High School’s Class of 2024.

This scholarship honors Marion High School students for their accomplishments and involvement in arts education, and their plans to pursue a career in the arts. The three honorees this year were awarded $500 each.

The MHSAA F. Ritchie Walton Endowment for the Arts was established in 2021, combining the MHSAA Giant Arts Endowment, founded in 2015, and the F. Ritchie Walton Endowment, founded in 2002 in honor of innovative music educator F. Ritchie Walton, who put Marion High School on the map with excellent music and theatre programs. Walton’s legacy lives on in the performing arts center named for him at Marion High School.

Elise Henry has been studying dance for 14 years, along with visual arts, dance, theater performance for a decade, and theater production for the last several years too. In addition to being a member of the Marion High School Class of 2024, she has participated in the exclusive MCS partner program the CSA Arts Academy, a pre-professional arts training program. She is also a 10-year member of the CSA Theatre compANY.

Elise is an active member of her church and has been involved with international missions work. She has volunteered with Grant County Rescue Mission and Habitat For Humanity, and she is a teacher assistant for preschool dance classes at the Community School of the Arts.

She plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University for art education, with a career goal of elementary to junior high level art teacher.

“In being a part of the arts for so long, I’ve not only learned many creative techniques, but I’ve also learned how to learn and how to apply myself to get the most out of any class or learning experience,” Elise said.

Stella Inskeep has been studying dance, visual arts, and theater performance for 12 years, and theater production for six years. In addition to being a member of the Marion High School Class of 2024, she has participated in the exclusive MCS partner program the CSA Arts Academy, a pre-professional arts training program. She is also a 10-year member of the CSA Theatre compANY.

Stella is a member of National Honor Society and a tap dance teacher for ages 3-6 at Community School of the Arts. She is a frequent volunteer for CSA Civic Theatre. She has also volunteered with events including summer camps and track meets.

She plans to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ School of Design and Production with a focus on Properties Design, with a career goal of props design and management for theater or film.

“Being an artist has allowed me to share stories with my community and grow as a human,” Stella said. “The arts have changed how I think and have made me a more empathetic human.”

Daniel Terhune has been a member of several Marion High School music ensembles, including marching band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, pep band, jazz choir, and show choir.

He has also been involved in theater. Daniel is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Society, and the tennis team.

He has also been active with his church. He plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University for music education and theater, with a career goal of teaching.

“The arts taught me the ability to be a member of a team, and how to lead a team,” Daniel said.

Congratulations to these three outstanding young artists!

Marion High School Alumni Association is grateful for our collaborative relationship with Marion Community Schools and the community, which enables us to help provide excellent opportunities for Marion students!

We are also grateful to those who served on the scholarship committee. We thank them for giving their time to this special task!

If you would like to give to the MHSAA F. Ritchie Walton Endowment for the Arts, you can do so online here: givetogrant.org/giantarts.