Marion High School Alumni Association congratulates this year’s winners of the Keller Family Science Scholarship: Nathaniel Beck, Julia Detamore, Lautusi Jackson, Damien Martin, and Abigail Ndow, all members of Marion High School’s Class of 2025.

This scholarship is for students planning to pursue a career in a science field. In total, $1,250 was awarded this year.

The Keller Family Science Scholarship was established in 2023 by Kathleen Keller, a 1991 graduate of MHS.

Nathaniel Beck, $250 scholarship winner

Nathaniel is valedictorian of the MHS Class of 2025. 

He is president of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (Spanish Honor Society), and secretary of National Honor Society. He is a leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Senate, and M-Club. He has served on the IHSAA Student Advisory Council and he is an AP Ambassador. He is also a member of Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, and the Best Buddies program. 

He is a College Board national honoree, and was selected an Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) Rising Star in his junior year. He has earned the AP Scholar with Distinction designation, for which a student needs to earn scores of 3 or higher on five or more Advanced Placement exams, with an average score of at least 3.5 on all exams taken. A score of 3 designates the student as “qualified” and capable of doing the work of an introductory-level course in a particular subject at college, and many colleges and universities grant credit and placement for scores of 3, 4, or 5.

Nathaniel has been the captain of the cross country, track and field, wrestling, and soccer teams. He has sung with the choir, and he is an active member of his church youth group. He has helped with officiating for middle school track and field, as well as wrestling. He has also volunteered with Marion Community Schools Youth Sports, and with Grant County Rescue Mission, and the NAIA National Championship Track Meet.  

Nathaniel plans to attend Purdue University and study chemical engineering. 

He credits his MHS teachers with helping him to develop a strong work ethic and a desire to always do his best. 

Nathaniel is also a recipient of another scholarship facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Marion Giants Athletic Boosters Scholarship.He was also selected for a Grant County Sports Hall of Fame scholarship, which was announced during the MHSAA’s scholarship awards.

Julia Detamore, $250 scholarship winner

Julia is president of National English Honor Society and of Delta Epsilon Phi National German Honor Society, secretary for the Key Club, and she is a leader for Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society. She is a member of National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She has also competed with the Quiz Bowl team.

She is a varsity cheerleader and a leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is also an active church member. She was also first runner-up in the 2024 Grant County Distinguished Young Women scholarship competition.

Julia plans to attend Purdue University to study pharmaceutical science, with a career goal of becoming a pharmacist.She said her chemistry classes at MHS have helped her build confidence in her skills even in complicated lab work, which will help her succeed in college and in her career. 

Lautusi Jackson, $250 scholarship winner

Lautusi is an officer in Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, part of the leadership team of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and, and the Student Advisory Council, and is a member of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (Spanish Honor Society), Black History Club, Key Club, and the Best Buddies program.

“Marion High School taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance and it has laid a strong foundation for success, even in the face of adversity,” he said.

He was a member of the varsity basketball, football, and cross country teams. He has volunteered with the Grant County Boys and Girls Club and as a referee with Marion Youth Sports.

Lautusi plans to attend Indiana University – Bloomington to study computer science. He has previously participated in IU’s Jim Holland summer enrichment, science research, and STEM education programs.

“Growing up, I lacked role models in STEM who share my background, which has fueled my determination to create change in this field,” he said.

Lautusi is also a recipient of another scholarship facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Jason Taylor Family Scholarship.

Damien Martin, $250 scholarship winner

Damien was a member of the state champion math academic team, and also competed with the science academic team and a four-year member of the Quiz Bowl team. He also was a member of the squad that placed in the top 10 at the Mu Alpha Theta national convention and competition. He has served as treasurer of National Honor Society and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (Spanish Honor Society). 

He is a College Board national honoree, was selected an Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) Rising Star in his junior year. He has earned the AP Scholar designation, for which a student needs to earn scores of 3 or higher on three or more Advanced Placement exams. A score of 3 designates the student as “qualified” and capable of doing the work of an introductory-level course in a particular subject at college, and many colleges and universities grant credit and placement for scores of 3, 4, or 5.

Damien is also an accomplished musician. He is a member of the Marching Giants and pep band, and he has earned gold at the Indiana State School Music Association’s state level Solo and Ensemble competition with his saxophone solo.

He has worked with the MHS broadcast crew, which livestreams events including athletic competitions and more. He has also put these skills to use at his church, and he has also volunteered at the Grant County Rescue Mission.

Damien plans to attend the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and major in neuroscience, with a career goal of becoming a neuropsychologist.He credits his experience in Advanced Placement classes at Marion High School with helping him learn how to make the best of rigorous learning opportunities, putting an emphasis on using what you get wrong as a springboard to growth.

Abigail Ndow, $250 scholarship winner

Abigail is a member of Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (Spanish Honor Society), National Honor Society, Student Senate, Black History Club, Key Club, Fellowship of Student Athletes, Student Advisory Council, and the Best Buddies program. She is also a four-year member of the MHS cheerleading and girls tennis teams, and she was named an All-American Cheerleader in her junior and senior years. She has served as a peer-tutor at Marion High School, and she has helped coach Marion Youth Sports cheerleading. She is also an active member of her church, and has been dancing for many years. She also is an award-winning musician, having earned gold at the Indiana State School Music Association’s Solo & Ensemble competition.

She is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, having logged more than 130 volunteer hours through the Leadership for Service (L4S) program administered by Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Foundation. Abigail participated in a HOBY leadership conference in her sophomore year, and has been connected with the program since then, including work as a junior staff member. 

Abigail is a College Board national honoree, was selected an Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) Rising Star in her junior year. She has earned the AP Scholar designation, for which a student needs to earn scores of 3 or higher on three or more Advanced Placement exams. A score of 3 designates the student as “qualified” and capable of doing the work of an introductory-level course in a particular subject at college, and many colleges and universities grant credit and placement for scores of 3, 4, or 5. She was selected the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of Grant County, part of the annual DYW nationwide scholarship competition, and she earned a scholarship at the state level competition as well.

She plans to attend Butler University and major in biochemistry, with a career goal of becoming a pediatrician or pediatric oncologist.

“My experience at Marion has taught me how to be a better student, athlete, and person through academics, sports, and extracurricular activities,” she said.

Abigail is also a recipient of two other scholarships facilitated by the Marion High School Alumni Association: the Beekman-Porter Tennis Scholarship and the Blackmon Family 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 Keller Family Science Scholarship, you can do so online here.