Marion High School Alumni Association congratulates this year’s winners of the James Blackmon Family Scholarship: Dakhota Daley and Jace Freshwater, both members of Marion High School’s Class of 2026.

This scholarship assists students in overcoming obstacles to reach for their dreams. In total, $1,500 was awarded this year.

The Blackmon family has provided scholarships for several years, but this is the third year the MHSAA has had the honor of presenting the awards to the honorees.

Dakhota Daley, $1,000 scholarship winner

Dakhota ranks second in the Marion High School Class of 2026, and she is president of National Honor Society and a member of Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Society, National Science Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Art Honor Society and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honor Society). She was named an IASP Rising Star. 

She is a section leader for the MHS band program, playing with wind ensemble and the Marching Giants and earning several ISSMA awards. She was selected for the IBA All-Region Honor Band and All-District Honor Band, and the Grant County Honor Band. She was also selected as an Indiana Ambassador of Music for their 2025 European tour.

Dakhota is a four-year member of the MHS track and field team, advancing to regional and earning Academic All-Star Honorable Mention. She is vice president for the Class of 2026, and is an officer in Student Senate. She has received awards for excellence in art, chemistry, history, and Spanish. She has also studied dance, and has served as a dance instructor.

She plans to attend the University of Chicago to study neuroscience on a pre-medicine track. Her career goal is to become a neurosurgeon.

Dakhota is a 2026 recipient of two scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Keller Family Science Scholarship, and the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship. She was also selected for a James Blackmon Family Scholarship, which was announced during the MHSAA’s scholarship awards. Her total award is $1,450. 

Jace Freshwater, $500 scholarship winner

Jace was a member of the Marion High School basketball team, earning a sectional championship. 

He plans to study business, and is still considering his college options. He also plans to play basketball at the collegiate level.

Jace is a 2026 recipient of three scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Kerry Clevenger Athletics Scholarship, the Robert Hull Business Scholarship, and the James Blackmon Family Scholarship, for a total award of $3,500.