By Sheryl Swingley—
MUNCIE, IN—Two scholarships administered by the Muncie Central Alumni Association were awarded at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Delaney Strange was selected as the Harris-Jones scholarship recipient for 2023-24, while Ella Piche received the Muncie Central High School Alumni Association scholarship.
Strange has begun studies at Purdue University and plans to obtain a civil engineering degree with a concentration in transportation and a minor in Spanish. Strange’s ultimate professional goal includes working on projects in underserved communities, both in the United States and abroad.
While at Central, she was in National Honor Society, participated in Hoosier Girls State and served as a page with the Indiana General Assembly. She was selected for an Outstanding in Chemistry Award and received other academic honors.
Strange was an accomplished athlete, lettering in cross country, swimming, and track and field. Team captain in both cross country and swimming, she was team MVP in both sports. An All-Academic North Central Conference athlete, she was a cross country regional qualifier.
The Harris-Jones Scholarship was established by 1962 Muncie Central graduate Sherry Harris Jones and her husband Ralph T. Jones. The endowed scholarship is intended to support students who enroll in public or private accredited colleges or universities for baccalaureate degree programs. It is a financial needs-based scholarship granted on the basis of high school academic achievement and educational promise. Applicants must possess the qualities of leadership, industry and integrity.
Piche is attending Ball State and plans to obtain a teaching degree, with a goal of teaching secondary math education.
In a reference letter for Piche, her teacher and class sponsor described her as a dedicated member of the student body, a born leader who “has gone above and beyond to make the high school experience great for students of Muncie Central.”
Academically, she ranked sixth in her class while taking part in a variety of diverse extracurricular activities. She served on the prom committee, was involved with choir and theater, and was a member of National Honor Society, serving as vice president for two years. She was also active with student government.
An athlete, Piche was on the swim and track teams and participated in soccer. She lettered in all three sports.
In her application for the scholarship, Piche wrote that she would like to return as a teacher at Muncie Central after she obtains her degree and applauds Central for having a strong community. “I cannot wait to support the next generation with your Alumni Association of learners,” she said, adding that she wants to contribute to helping them be part of a strong community they can rely on.
The Alumni Association scholarship is a $2,000 stipend presented annually to a graduating senior through an application process.
Membership forms for Muncie Central alumni and non-Central graduates interested in supporting Muncie Central students and teachers are available from the alumni association’s website, https://www.munciecentralalumniassociation.com/, under “How to join.” Membership forms and donations may be mailed to Muncie Central Alumni Association, 6604 W. Talamore Court, Yorktown, IN 47396. Checks should be made payable to MCHS Alumni Association.
