of wabash county inc. www.thepaperofwabash.com April 9, 2014 Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977 Vol. 37, No. 5
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
Eckelbarger selected as Lilly Endowment Scholarship Winner by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com On Thursday, April 3, Northfield High School Principal Mike Keaffaber, select teachers, and members of the press waited anxiously in the Northfield High School office for the arrival of Emily Eckelbarger, recipient of this year’s Lilly Endowment Scholarship. Waiting with them were two proud parents, Brian and Kryston Eckelbarger. Just as anxious were the six finalists, knowing that one day soon, the winner of the four-year, full-tuition scholarship would be announced. The “ambush” style announcement ensured that the winner was completely surprised. While the group waited, secretary Melanie Penn made her way to Eckelbarger’s class to formally escort the winner to the office. As she entered the office’s conference room, she saw her principal, teachers and parents, as well as cameras rapidly capturing her reaction. Then she saw Julie Garber, program director for the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and instantly, Eckelbarger knew why she was there. “Is this what I think it is?” she said as she took a seat at the head of the table. With that, Garber announced that Eckelbarger had been chosen to receive the prestigious scholarship.
“I’ve never had Mrs. Penn escort me, so I thought that spelled trouble, but I couldn’t think of anything,” said Eckelbarger after the reveal. “[I was] a little confused, but kind of connected it once I saw Julie. That connected the dots and I realized that if this was what I thought it was, I was about to have the best surprise...of this year.” Eckelbarger clearly earned the scholarship. In addition to being an exceptional student, she is the president of student council and Teens for Global Awareness, which educates students on global issues, such as hunger, poverty, and education. She displays her commitment to these issues by volunteering at F.I.S.H.’s food pantry, the Lighthouse Mission, and the Roann branch of the free lunch program. In addition, she plays piano in the school’s jazz band and Mrs. Coppler’s Studio of Music. She is a National Honor Society member, as well as a performer and set designer in the school’s theatre program. Finally, she manages to keep a part-time job at Modoc’s Market. When asked about her motivation to achieve, Emily looked at her parents and said, “I think these two are to be credited for that. I’ve always been taught that hard work pays off in great rewards.” “We were just overjoyed and thrilled and relieved,” Kryston Eckelbarger said about being notified that her daughter was the winner. “It takes a big burden off.
EMILY ECKELBARGER IS SURPRISED AND OVERWHELMED as Community Foundation of Wabash County Program Director Julie Garber tells her that she has been selected to receive this year’s Lilly Endowment Scholarship on April 3 in the Northfield High School conference room. (photo by Eric Stearley) We were kind of sweating.” A blind committee, which takes into account academic standing and achievement, financial need, family history of education, work experience, and community involvement selects the winner of the Lilly Endowment Scholarship. Finalists are also interviewed, which fac-
tors into the final score. “It’s a privilege,” Garber told Eckelbarger after presenting the award. “You rose to the top of that group.” The last Northfield High School student to receive the scholarship was Josh Unger in 2011. It is always exciting for a (continued on page 5)
Museum hosts Grand Opening of the Charles R. Showalter Gallery
JOHN SHOWALTER CUTS THE RIBBON during the Grand Opening of the Charles R. Showalter Gallery, located on the second level of the Wabash County Historical Museum on Friday, April 4. Son of the late Charles Showalter, John was joined by members of his family, including his wife, Peggy, Museum Communications Specialist Emily Gardner, and Chamber of Commerce President Lance Agness. (photo by Eric Stearley)
by Eric Stearley eric@thepaperofwabash.com The main attraction at April’s First Friday Art Walk was the Wabash County Historical Museum’s Grand Opening of the Charles R. Showalter Gallery. Along with Chamber of Commerce representatives and a large group of community members, Mr. Showalter’s son, John, and his family, were in attendance to cut the ribbon and officially open the gallery. The gallery will be a permanent installation in the museum. It was designed to showcase the work of Wabash County artists, and will feature new artists each quarter. The Showalter name has a long history in Wabash. Charles R. Showalter was the son of two-time Wabash County Mayor Homer T. Showalter. Described by his grandson, John, as a gregarious, gladhand politician and “Mr. Wabash,” Homer Showalter was a great promoter of the city, county, and state. Growing up in his family’s home on Sinclair Street, Charles Showalter was the “black sheep” of the family, according to John. He left Wabash as a young man, traveling to Chicago to pursue his passion for art. After returning from mil-
itary service, Showalter began working with Haddon Sundblom, creator of the original “Coca-Cola Santa Claus.” Showalter gained recognition as Sundbloms’ protégé, continuing to work on future Coca-Cola Santas. In addition, he created advertisement illustrations for Sealy mattresses and Hush Puppies Shoes. He was also the man behind the poster for the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” film and the designer of the first Coppertone Baby. “It’s classic oil painting artwork, back when illustration art was classical art,” said John. “It wasn’t cartoons, it was classical art. The irony is, unless you ran the studio, unless you were the ad agency, nobody knew who you were.” John and his wife, Peggy, spoke highly of Wabash and its museum. They have fond memories of visiting Homer, who died in his home on Sinclair Street in 1978. “Coming back here and going back down the streets that we visited when I was a kid…going down Hill Street to the park, and down the hill and looking at what used to be the cafeteria where we had lunch every Sunday when we would come to visit, it’s just kind of neat,” said (continued on page 5)