Marion High School Alumni Association congratulates this year’s winners of the Jack and Dave Colescott Scholarship: Shaeli Castaneda, Kenzie Larson, Trevor Morgan, and Jyahira Washington, all members of Marion High School’s Class of 2026.

This scholarship, new this year, honors the legacy of Coach Jack Colescott and his son Dave Colescott, one of the greatest players in Marion Giants athletic history. It recognizes Marion Giants who display that most-important quality: sportsmanship. In total, $8,000 was awarded this year.

Shaeli Castaneda, $2,000 scholarship

Shaeli ranks ninth in the Marion High School Class of 2026. She is vice president of Spanish Honor Society; an officer for Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society; and a member of Science National Honor Society and National Honor Society. 

She has played tennis since fifth grade at Marion, and competed in the No. 1 Singles spot for Marion High School. She earned Academic All-State recognition three years, and she was a Sectional and Regional individual champion. She earned three sportsmanship awards from USTA. She has also won more than 15 local tennis tournaments at singles and doubles. Shaeli also played soccer for Marion High School, and earned Academic All-State recognition three years. She also has served as manager for boys tennis, and is an IHSAA Ambassador.

Shaeli also is vice president of her class and served in the MHS Student Senate; president of the Best Buddies Club; and a member of Key Club, M-Club, and FCA. She is a JROTC cadet and has earned Cadet Challenge and Outstanding STEM Achievement awards. She was a musician with the Marion High School band program, and she played with pep band and jazz band, earning ISSMA Gold with Distinction awards three times. She has also volunteered with MCS Unified Sports, the MHS swim team, and helped coach kids tennis camps. 

She plans to attend Purdue University in Lafayette to major in pharmaceutical science and pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Her career goal is to become a licensed pharmacist. 

Shaeli is a 2026 recipient of several scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Jack and Dave Colescott Scholarship, the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship, the Beekman-Porter Tennis Scholarship, and the Keller Family Science Scholarship, for a total award of $3,050.

Kenzie Larson, $2,000 scholarship

Kenzie 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, Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society.  

Kenzie ran with the MHS cross country team all four years, and was named Runner of the Year and is in the top 10 runners of all time at MHS. She also ran with the MHS track and field team all four years, and she earned the Encourager Award. She was also an MHS swimmer for two years. She will continue to run competitively at the collegiate level. She is also a member of the Best Buddies Club. 

She plans to study occupational therapy at Indiana Wesleyan University and plans to pursue a doctorate. Her career goal is to become an occupational therapist who works with people with special needs. 

Kenzie is a 2026 recipient of three scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Jack and Dave Colescott Scholarship, the Robert Hull Business Scholarship, and the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship, for a total award of $3,250

Trevor Morgan, $2,000 scholarship winner

Trevor was a four-year member of the MHS varsity football team, earning 2nd Team All-Conference recognition. He was also a four-year member of the MHS swim team, earning the Mental Attitude Award and the Leadership Award, and serving as team captain. He also competed with the MHS track and field team four four years, two at the varsity level, and was named Field Athlete of the Year. He will continue to compete with the track and field team in shot put, discus, and hammer throw at the collegiate level.

He is Co-President of his class and Chairman of the MHS Student Senate; and a member of National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society. 

Trevor plans to attend Wabash College in Crawfordsville, where he will double major in political science and rhetoric while participating in their pre-law program. He intends to pursue a Juris Doctor degree and work in the legal field. 

Trevor is a 2026 recipient of two scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Jack and Dave Colescott Scholarship, and the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship, for a total award of $2,250.

Jyahira Washington, $2,000 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 Jack and Dave Colescott Scholarship winners Kenzie Larson, Trevor Morgan, alumnus Dave Colescott, and winners Shaeli Castaneda, and Jyahira Washington.