Marion High School Alumni Association congratulates this year’s winners of the Nellie and Rosie Business, Marketing, and Music Scholarship: Gigi Bunker, Justin Peters, and Zoey Wayman, all members of Marion High School’s Class of 2026.

This scholarship is named for Nellie Eltzroth and Rosalyn “Rosie” Howell and established by their descendants in their honor. It provides assistance to graduating Marion Giants who plan to further education in the fields of business, marketing, or music. In total, $2,250 was awarded this year.

Gigi Bunker, $1,000 scholarship winner

Gigi ranks eighth in the Marion High School Class of 2026, and she is a College Board AP Scholar. She is a member of National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, Student Senate, Key Club, M-Club, and FCA. 

She was a four-year member of the MHS cheerleading team, three on the varsity squad, and earned the Best Mental Attitude Award. She was also selected a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) All-American. She also played on the MHS tennis team.

Gigi plans to attend Indiana University – Bloomington, where she will study finance at the Kelley School of Business. 

Gigi is a 2026 recipient of three scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Nellie and Rosie Business, Marketing, and Music Scholarship, Robert Hull Business Scholarship, and the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship, for a total award of $2,250. 

Justin Peters, $750 scholarship winner

Justin is a cadet in the Marion High School JROTC program. He competed with the JROTC Raiders team, earning third- and fifth-place national championship awards. He also competed with the JROTC drill and color guard team.  

He was also a musician with the MHS band program, playing in wind ensemble, and jazz ensemble, earning many ISSMA awards. He was a member of the Marching Giants, serving as drum major for one year. He also was a member of the pit orchestra for theatrical performances. He was selected for the IBA All-Region Honor Band and All-District Honor Band, the IJEA All-District Jazz Band, and the Grant County Honor Band. 

Justin was a member of the MHS football team and the track and field team. He is an honor roll student and is a member of National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society.

He plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University and major in music performance. His career goal is to be in the Marine Corps’ Presidents Own Band or the Army’s Field Band. 

Justin is a 2026 recipient of the Nellie and Rosie Business, Marketing, and Music Scholarship facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association, a $750 award.

Zoey Wayman, $500 scholarship winner

Zoey is in the top 10 percent of the Marion High School Class of 2026, and she is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society. She has also earned a Presidential Academic Achievement Award. 

Zoey is a musician with the MHS choir program, earning a Best Sophomore Performer and Outstanding Junior awards, as well as many ISSMA awards. She also served as president of the Varsity Choir. She was selected for the ICDA All-State Honor Choir. She was also selected as an Indiana Ambassador of Music for their 2023 and 2025 European tours. She was also selected for the IMEA Future Music Educators Colloquium. 

She has been in the cast of several theatrical productions through Marion High School and CSA Civic Theatre. She has also earned a photography award. She also was a member of the Marion High School cheerleading team. She has also studied dance since the age of 3, also serving as a teacher’s assistant. 

She plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University to study music education and theatre. Her career goal is to be a choir director and college professor. 

Zoey is a 2026 recipient of two scholarship facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the F. Ritchie Walton Scholarship, and the Nellie and Rosie Business, Marketing, and Music Scholarship, for a total award of $750.

From left, Nellie and Rosie Scholarship winner Justin Peters, Eltzroth family representative and alumna Lori Eltzroth, and winners Gigi Bunker and Zoey Wayman.