TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: Northview’s Strain thrilled to win Lilly scholarship

Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Hunter Strain
Contributed photo

For Hunter Strain, his senior year at Northview High School has definitely had its obstacles.

The constantly-changing schedules affected by COVID-19, as well as a nagging injury that sidelined him for much of the cross country season, have impacted what normally is the highlight of a student’s high school career.

Things picked up for Strain over the weekend, though, as he found out he was the recipient of a Lilly Endowment Scholarship from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation.

The prestigious award grants Strain full tuition to any Indiana public or private college, plus required fees and a $900 stipend for books and other equipment.

“I was super excited,” Strain said Sunday about the life-changing phone call. “It opens up so many more opportunities. I was confident, but I didn’t expect to win. I was humble about it.

“I gave it my best shot, and I was just hoping it was enough to win. And it was.”

Strain thinks his well-rounded resume, which includes extensive experience in scouting as well as academic and athletic accomplishments at Northview High School, was his best asset in the rugged competition.

“I think it was a combination of some of my achievements from all of my different activities,” he said. “I try to conduct myself well, and I hope that served me well in the interview.”

Strain feels he has gotten a great education through Clay Community Schools.

“I’d like to thank all my teachers,” he said. “They’ve all taught me things that I could use later on. They all deserve credit.”

Strain comes from a family with a strong educational background, as his older brother Conor was an English teacher at North Clay before joining the Indiana State Police and his father (Bryan) is an assistant principal at Sullivan High School.

“Along with my mom [Elizabeth], they’ve all definitely helped me to value education and understand what it takes to be successful,” he said. “I have had academics as a top priority.”

Like many students, Strain has learned to deal with the oddities of his senior year and is just making the best out of a difficult situation for everyone.

“I’m willing to work through all of it, as long as I see what’s on the other side of it,” he said. “It’s been worth it having to go through these weird Coronavirus activities. I have never been the biggest fan of e-learning, but if I have to go through a few weeks of it to get to go back to regular schooling then I’m willing to work with it.”

After graduating from Northview next spring, Strain will enroll in college — but he has not decided where yet.

He would like somewhere around home.

His field of study, as of now will be in business and economics. Strain would like to run a company someday, and own his own business at some point.

“My preferences are constantly changing when it comes to being specific,” he admitted.

Depending upon the school, the valuation of Strain’s scholarship will likely extend into six figures.

He is happy to be able to not have to worry about student loans, and to ease the burden on his parents — who will also be sending Hunter’s twin sister Paige off to college next year.

“It definitely takes a lot of weight off your shoulders, not having to be worrying about student loans or tuition, and it’s definitely a big relief for that,” Strain said. “With Paige also going off to college, that’s just one less they have to pay for.”

Ironically, nearby Putnam County’s winner of the same award was Evan Steffy of South Putnam — who is one of a set of triplets.

“Maybe they felt a little sympathetic for the parents,” Strain said with a laugh.

Northview boys’ cross country coach James Grounds has had a front-row seat to observe Strain’s progress over the past several years, and is thrilled for the scholarship winner.

“I’ve had the luxury of knowing Hunter for many years prior to coaching him,” Grounds said. “He is a great young man who takes a lot of pride in his hard work and being a leader amongst his peers. As his coach for the past four years; I have witnessed how hard of a worker he is and the pride that he takes in his academics as well as his athletic pursuits.”

James Grounds

Grounds thinks that Strain’s ability to deal with his injury problems are one of the factors that make him such a strong person.

“He has dealt with a lot of adversity over the years due to injuries, yet he has never let that hold him back,” he said. “He would still show up and do whatever he could to support his team. No matter what happened over the years, he has been instrumental in our team’s success whether it’s by competing or being a great teammate.”

Grounds predicts great success for Strain.

“The Lilly Scholarship just shows what I have seen first-hand from Hunter,” he said. “He is a hard worker who puts academics first. Hunter is very deserving of this great award and will do great things because of it.”

Hunter Strain awards, honors

Scouting

Boy Scouts (6 years)

Eagle Scout (Project – Restored Knightsville War Memorial)

Order of the Arrow (Honor Society of BSA)

Junior Assistant Scout Master

Northview High School

Clubs/activities

National Honor Society

President of the German Club

3 year Academic Letter

Academic Honors Diploma

Statewide Transfer General Education Core Certificate (STEGC)

3 year Band Member

1-year Choir Member

2x National Geography Bee State Finalist

Sports

4 year letterman Cross Country

Academic All-State Cross Country

4x Sectional Champion Team, 4X Regional and Semi-State qualifier, 2x State qualifier

3 year letterman Track & Field

All Conference

2x Regional Qualifier

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