Ryan Miller and Abigail Sayler were recently awarded financial scholarships from the Journal Review. Each student received $1,000 to use toward their college expenses.
Miller is a Crawfordsville High School graduate who plans to study and train for his pilot’s license at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.
Miller has worked as a lifeguard, taught swim lessons and helped sponsor a blood drive with the Crawfordsville Fire Department. He also was a four-sport athlete and maintained a 3.8 grade point average.
While in high school Miller participated in cross country, football, swimming, track as well as National Honor Society, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Principal’s Advisory Committee, Link Crew, Spirit Club, Champions Together and was an intern at SafeHiring Solutions.
“I feel that this shows how strong my work ethic is, how I am passionate about succeeding and how determined I am to excel at anything I put mind to,” he said. “I feel my success on and off the course is one way I have been able to prove how hard I work to meet my goals.”
At the beginning of his high school career, Miller told himself he would do whatever was necessary to become the best runner to go through the school. He did that by his junior year.
“While striving to reach my goal I also exceeded my expectations by setting the school record in cross country and the 4x800 and the 3200m for track,” he said. “I believe with my determination, discipline, work ethic and passion, I will be able to achieve my goal of becoming a pilot.”
Miller is grateful for the scholarship and that it will help support him in his educational pursuits.
Sayler, a graduate of Southmont High School, will use her scholarship to pursue a career helping children with autism. She is enrolled at Ball State University, where she will major in applied behavioral analysis. She hopes to begin her career as a registered behavioral technician, then pursue her master’s degree in the same field to become a board certified behavioral analyst.
“This scholarship is valuable in funding my education and to the kids that I can help succeed in life,” Sayler said. “As a future board certified behavioral analyst it will be my responsibility to build up their life skills and enable kids to advocate for themselves. I will be able to support the kids, their families and the therapists who work with them.”
Sayler describes herself as kind and patient and passionate about working with children with autism. She currently is working as an intern at a local autism center.
“Some days are harder than others, but by persevering through the challenges, I see progress and improvement,” she said. “It is rewarding to see their progression, and ultimately their graduate from the facility.”
While in high school Sayler participated in Sudden Impulse Show Choir, theater, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, National Technical Honors Society, Royal Ambassadors, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Rising Stars Show Choir, camp counselor, FCCLA, junior high tutor and yearbook.
Her community activities include dance, 4-H, Woodland Heights Youth Student Leaders, Distinguished Young Women, Miss Montgomery County Fair Queen Court, preschool teacher and after school care assistant.
Sayler said receiving this award will help her make a difference in the lives of others.
