Marion High School Alumni Association congratulates this year’s winners of the Jason Taylor Family Scholarship: Lilly Carter, Aubry Roedl, Evelynn Lopez-Gomez, and Jyahira Washington, all members of Marion High School’s Class of 2026.

This scholarship assists students in overcoming obstacles to reach for their dreams. In total, $12,500 was awarded this year.

The Jason Taylor Family Spark Fund was established in 2022 by Jason Taylor, a 1992 graduate of MHS. Though previous awards have been given out of the Spark Fund, 2024 was the first year for the Jason Taylor Family Scholarship.

Lilly Carter, $5,000 scholarship winner

Lilly is in the top 10 percent of the Marion High School Class of 2026, and she is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and National English Honor Society. 

She served as Battalion Commander for the MHS JROTC program and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel and adjutant officer S1. She competed with the JROTC drill and color guard teams for four years, serving as color guard commander for two. She was a three-year member of the MHS varsity girls tennis team. She was also president of the MHS Latino Student Alliance. 

Lilly plans to attend Indiana University – Fort Wayne, with a career goal of becoming an ultrasound technician and minor in psychology. 

Lilly is also a 2026 recipient of two scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Jason Taylor Family Scholarship, and the JROTC Scholarship. She was also selected for a Grant County Sports Hall of Fame scholarship, which was announced during the MHSAA’s scholarship awards. Her total award is $5,500.

Aubry Roedl, $2,500 scholarship winner

Aubry ranks sixth in the Marion High School Class of 2026. She is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Society, and Spanish Honor Society.  

She is a three-year member of the MHS girls tennis team, earning All-NCC Second Team honors; a four-year member of the MHS girls basketball team, earning All-NCC honors; and a four-year member of the MHS volleyball team, earning All-NCC and All-Academic honors; and a two-year member of the MHS cheerleading team, earning All-American honors. She is also a member of Key Club, and has volunteered for youth sports camps, community cleanups, and more. 

Aubry plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan and major in nursing. Her career goal is to become a registered nurse and then a nurse practitioner.

Aubry is a 2026 recipient of three scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Beekman-Porter Tennis Scholarship, the Jason Taylor Family Scholarship, and the Keller Family Science Scholarship, for a total award of $3,000.

Evelynn Lopez-Gomez, $2,500 scholarship winner

Evelynn is a Cadet in the Marion High School JROTC program and reached the rank of corporal. She competed with the JROTC Raiders team, earning third- and fifth-place national championship awards. She also competed with the JROTC drill and color guard team. 

She was a student athletic trainer for MHS, and she also was a four-year member of the MHS track and field team. She also was a musician with the MHS band program, earning several ISSMA awards. She was selected for the IBA All-District Honor Band and the Grant County Honor Band. She is a member of the Latino Student Alliance, Best Buddies Club, Key Club, and Student Senate. 

Evelynn plans to study exercise science and is still considering her college options. Her career goal is to become an athletic trainer. 

Evelynn is a 2026 recipient of two scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Robert Hull Business Scholarship, and the Jason Taylor Family Scholarship, for a total award of $3,500. 

Jyahira Washington, $2,500 scholarship winner

Jyahira was a four-year member of the MHS track and field team. 

She was also a musician with the MHS band program, playing in symphonic band, wind ensemble, and pep band, and serving as color guard section leader for the Marching Giants. She is a member of National Honor Society and was involved with theater and robotics. She also volunteered at track meets and robotics competitions for lower grade levels.

She plans to attend Indiana University – Indianapolis, where she will study medical imaging technology. Her career goal is to become a radiologic technologist. 

Jyahira is a 2026 recipient of three scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Jack and Dave Colescott Scholarship, the Keller Family Science Scholarship, and the Jason Taylor Family Scholarship, for a total award of $4,700.  

From left, 2026 Jason Taylor Family Scholarship winners Jyahira Washington, Aubry Roedl, Evelynn Lopez-Gomez, and Lilly Carter.