Bull Dog Alumni Association Announces 2024 Scholarships and Awards

Webb Salmon Excellence in English Scholarship

This $10,000 scholarship was created by a small group of Columbus High School alumni from the late 1950’s and early 1960’s to honor their favorite teacher, Webb Salmon. Mr. Salmon taught English, Literature, and Creative Writing at CHS and was English Department chair.

This year’s Salmon Scholarship winner is Hannah Michel, a gifted writer who excelled in accelerated and AP English courses during her time at CNHS while participating in Show Choir and numerous extracurricular activities. Hannah is planning to attend St. Mary’s College in South Bend, with a concentration on Communications. She states that her career goal is “to become someone who can help other people, especially through my love of intentional communication like writing, song, or speeches.”

Sam Simmermaker Journalism and Communications Scholarship

This scholarship has been awarded annually since 2010 to honor the huge contribution Sam has made to the community and Bull Dog Athletics. It goes to a CNHS senior planning to pursue a college degree in Journalism or Communications. In 2024, the scholarship amount was doubled to $2000.

This year’s Simmermaker recipient is Brynn Stewart. Brynn has been deeply involved and exceptionally successful in media and journalism throughout her CNHS career. She received numerous awards and prestigious assignments during her work at the Bull Dog News Network, CNHS media, The Triangle, and Indiana University Journalism workshops. Brynn is planning to attend Indiana University’s Media School, where she has already won a Media School scholarship. She says her career goal is to make documentaries about the interaction of the environment and Public Health.

Paige Hatter was awarded a Carmichael scholarship this year due to her exceptional dedication to Bull Dog Athletics. As a Student Manager and Student Athletic Trainer for the basketball, football, and baseball teams for 3 years, she still found time for numerous extracurricular activities and maintained high academic standards (Honor roll student all four years). Paige will attend Indiana University in the fall studying Human Biology – with the goal of becoming a neonatologist – specializing in the care of newborns whose lives are at risk due to disease or congenital disability.

Alex Clark is a 2024 True Blue scholarship winner based on his dedication and perseverance as a member of the CNHS golf team. Alex also played football and hockey for CNHS while maintaining a higher-than-4.0 grade point average and serving as Senior Class President. He will attend Purdue University and study finance with a career goal of working in wealth management or real estate.

John Hinds Tradition of Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship honors the incredible record of success and excellence of John Hinds, Gymnastics coach at CHS and CNHS – whose teams won 13 state championships in the 17 years of IHSAA competition in men’s gymnastics.

This year’s Tradition of Excellence scholarship goes to Laney Acton, gymnastics team captain, who competed in all-around for all 4 years of her career. Laney was also on the CNHS Honor Roll all 4 years. She intends to study Sports Marketing and Management at Indiana University with the long-term goal of doing marketing for a college or professional sports team.

Michael Garber Memorial Scholarship

The Garber Scholarship is awarded in honor of 1986 CNHS graduate Mike Garber, who was a master chef and enthusiastic world traveler with many varied interests and passions.

The 2024 winner of the Garber Scholarship is Nariah Simpson, who has been an outstanding culinary arts student in the CNHS C-4 program. Nariah is planning to attend Sullivan University in Kentucky to continue her culinary arts education. Her career goal is to become a private chef and travel the world while doing so.

2024 Outstanding Teacher of the Year

The Bull Dog Alumni Association began awarding a cash honorarium to the Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2016 in what has become a key part of our Teacher Appreciation Program. In 2024 this honorarium was doubled to $2000.

This year the Outstanding Teacher of the Year is Science teacher Lisa Enneking, a favorite of students and colleagues alike. Mrs. Enneking has taught Chemistry, Physics, and Earth & Physical Science at CNHS since 1994. She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association and holds a master’s degree in physics education.