For Isabell Coryea, a first-generation college student, inspiration comes from many places. She was inspired by the sacrifices made by her mother, who sometimes worked two jobs to provide for Isabell and her siblings.
“For me, earning a college degree honors her sacrifices,” she says.
However, she was also inspired by her Plainfield High School computer science teacher, Shane Abrell. She says, “Mr. Abrell goes beyond just fulfilling his duties as an educator. In the classroom, he encouraged all his students to pursue a secondary education, and offered us real-world advice.”
Isabell received the “Realizing the Dream” scholarship from the Lilly Endowment, and named Mr. Abrell as her “Most Influential Educator.” She plans on putting the scholarship funds towards continuing her education at St. Mary of the Woods College.
Please help us in congratulating Mr. Abrell on this high honor!
To watch Isabell’s acceptance video, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICbu91ZD9rg