Marion High School Alumni Association congratulates this year’s winners of the Robert Hull MHSAA Business Scholarship: Emma Bento, Larry Cox, and Caleb Hawkins, all members of Marion High School’s Class of 2025.

This scholarship connects Marion High School student-athletes to careers in sports marketing, finance, accounting, or business. In total, $1,500 was awarded this year.

Robert Hull MHSAA Business Scholarship was established in 2023 by Hull, a 1991 graduate of MHS.

Emma Bento, $500 scholarship winner

Emma has been captain for the varsity cheerleading squad, and she is in her fourth year of competition with the MHS track & field varsity team. She was also a 2-year member of the varsity girls soccer team.

She is also vice president of the Class of 2025, and serves as secretary for the National Honor Society and Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (Spanish Honor Society). She is also an officer for the M-Club. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. She has served in the Student Senate, Key Club, and the Best Buddies program. She is a member of FCA, and she is an AP Ambassador. She has also served with Grant County Rescue Mission and Kiwanis Club.

She has volunteered as a guest reader at local elementary schools, and she has participated in Earth Day cleanup at Marion’s Matter Park. She has also assisted with local youth sports camps. 

Emma plans to attend Butler University and major in marketing.

“Playing sports at Marion has taught me to be a leader and to keep my priorities straight,” she said. “It has also allowed me to become more involved with my community and create bonds with students, coaches, and teachers that I would have never been able to without being involved in sports.”

Emma is also a recipient of another scholarship facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship.

Larry Cox, $500 scholarship winner 

Larry has been a standout player for the varsity boys soccer team, earning All-District and All-State twice. He has been named MVP of the team three times, and he earned the Defensive Player of the Season award. He has also competed with the track and field team.  

He plans to attend Manchester University for exercise science, aiming to become a physical therapist. He will be playing soccer at the collegiate level.

“Playing sports at Marion High School has taught me that extra work will pay off,” Larry said.Larry is also a recipient of another scholarship facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship.

Caleb Hawkins, $500 scholarship winner 

Caleb has been running cross country at Marion Community Schools since fifth grade. He was a member of the MHS cross country team for all four years, earning the Most Improved award in his senior year. He is in his third year competing with the track and field team. 

He also competed with the MHS E-Sports team for two years. He is a member of National Art Honor Society and FCA. He has performed with various instrumental ensembles at MHS, including wind ensemble and pep band. He has also competed in the Indiana State School Music Association’s Solo and Ensemble contest three years, earning two gold medals at the state level. He was selected to the All-State Honor Concert Band in his junior year. As a junior he earned a College Board national award.

In addition to his school activities, Caleb has completed a full marathon and 10 half-marathons, and he has hiked in 27 national parks and 16 Indiana state parks. He is also involved as a volunteer at REAL Community Covenant Church. He has served as an intern at Marion Public Library and Museum, and has helped run admissions and concessions for the Police Athletic League (PAL) Club, as well as working other part-time jobs.

He plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University and major in multimedia communications and humanities, with a focus on sports journalism. He has also accepted a spot on the IWU running club. He looks forward to continuing to train for long-distance running.

“Running has been a teacher to me and provided me with invaluable lessons,” Caleb said. “It’s taught me perseverance, discipline, how to push through pain and struggles. It’s taught me how to set and reach a goal. It’s taught me that hard work yields results, and that slacking off doesn’t get you anywhere. It’s taught me that sometimes, you can’t do things alone. Most importantly, running has taught me that every day won’t be your best day, and that’s OK.”

Caleb is also a recipient of another scholarship facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship.

Congratulations to these outstanding students!

Marion High School Alumni Association is grateful for our collaborative relationship with Marion Community Schools and the community, which enables us to help provide excellent opportunities for Marion students!

If you would like to give to the Robert Hull MHSAA Business Scholarship, you can do so online here.