College-bound students awarded WVCF scholarships

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

CARLISLE-- Four area high school graduates have received a financial boost as they prepare for college, thanks to the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF).   

The annual Kyle Snyder American Legion Post #398 Scholarships, totaling $500 each were awarded to North Central graduates Mia McCoskey and Jeremy Corbin.  Both plan to attend Lincoln Trail college in the fall.  Ms. McCoskey is pursuing a nursing degree while Jeremy Corbin plans to graduate with a criminal justice degree.  Shakamak High School seniors Tyler Willis and Emmalee Mahon were also on the receiving end of the 2016 WVCF American Legion Scholarships.  They will be attending Indiana State University.  Tyler Willis seeks a pre-veterinarian degree while Ms. Mahan will be working towards a degree in criminology.     

The WVCF incarcerated veterans created the scholarships with a military twist.  Wabash Valley Chaplain Tim Tanner, the post coordinator, said a contest of sorts helped determine the recipients. To qualify seniors attending both high schools needed a 3.0 GPA or higher and a family member serving or having served in the United States Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard).  Each was then required to submit a 500 word essay about a relative and what his or hers service to our country meant to the contestant.  Chaplain Tanner and post officers then determined the winners, a young man and woman from each school.  Chaplain Tanner presented each recipient with a scholarship certificate, the American Legion Scholarship Medal and the $500 check.   
 
The scholarship program rotates among local high schools each year.  In 2015, the first year for the scholarships, Sullivan High School students benefited from the Kyle Snyder Post awards.   
   
Chaplain Tanner said Post 398 is dedicated to giving back to community, especially our youth, which he noted was the driving force behind the creation of the scholarships.   
 
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About the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility:
 
WVCF is located north of Carlisle, Indiana in Sullivan County and began operations in 1992.  An average daily population of 1,972 offenders is housed on the 340 acre site adjacent to U.S 41.  Total capacity is 2,198 with 651 approved state staff positions including 524 custody and 118 contractual employees. Annual operating costs total nearly 38 million dollars.  ​