Pictured are members of the Kosciusko Board of Realtors’ community outreach committee and the board’s 2023 scholarship winners. From left are Ashley Black, Patton Hall Real Estate; Ethan Spencer; Tessa Graney; Shelby Hartley; Keely Roe; Rylee Firestone; Nathan Kryder; LeeAnne Francis, Ruoff Mortgage; and Angie Jarrett, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group. Photo provided by Kosciusko Board of Realtors.

News Release

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Board of Realtors has announced its 2023 scholarship winners.

Scholarships awarded by the board are intended to identify bright and motivated students in Kosciusko County and support them in their educational pursuits.

Following are this year’s winners and what the board learned about each student in making its selections:

Rylee Firestone: Rylee attended Wawasee High School where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She was a member of the girl’s golf team and the team captain and most valuable player in her senior year. She was also a member of the student council, Key Club and DECA. DECA prepares upcoming leaders in marketing and finance. She was in DECA leadership positions in her last two years. She won district and state accolades including earning sixth place at the state level in her division last year. This fall, Rylee will be pursuing an accounting degree at Indiana University Bloomington. John Szynal, mathematics teacher, Wawasee High School shared, “Rylee has a strong plan for her future and has taken steps during her high school career in order to set herself up for those goals.” Rylee is the daughter of Lawrence and Kristen Firestone of Leesburg.

Tessa Graney: After her graduation from Warsaw Community High School this spring, Tessa will be attending Ball State University. Her plans after college graduation are to remain in Indiana and work for a company in the field of business marketing. During her years at Warsaw High School, Tessa was a member of the Lady Tiger golf and volleyball teams and the Business Professionals of America. She has worked as a lifeguard, swim instructor and youth sport instructor for the YMCA of Kosciusko County for the past two years. Tessa shared with the selection committee that her parents have been the most influential people in her life. They have supported her pathway to higher education at Ball State University. Both are associated with Warsaw public schools; her father, Daniel, is an elementary teacher and her mother, Rhonda, a high school guidance counselor. The Graney family is from Warsaw.

Shelby Hartley: Shelby is a 2023 Warsaw Community High School graduate. She will be attending Palm Beach Atlantic University majoring in exercise science concentrated in pre-occupational therapy. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Shelby plans to attend graduate school to obtain a doctorate in occupational therapy. Shelby participated in cross country in grades seven through 12. Per Jason Fleming, girls varsity cross country coach at Edgewood Middle School, “During her time as a student and student athlete, Shelby has worked with many of our younger athletes to ensure they are made to feel valued as a member of the team. Shelby’s ability to bring each person’s strengths to a task helps with her skills as a group leader.” Shelby’s parents are Casey and Angie Hartley of Pierceton.

Nathan Kryder: Nate is a graduate of Wawasee High School. In addition to the scholarship, Nate is the Kosciusko County Board of Realtors’ 2023 “Spirit of the Heart” winner, an award created to honor real estate professionals who have been lost who touched their community throughout their lives. Nate’s community activities include volunteering for the 5K Walkathon for Autism Awareness and working at Camp Indicoso in Springville, helping to repair trails and tear down old cabins. Nate was team captain, NLC All Conference and a state qualifier in swimming. For the last two summers, he has been a been a lifeguard for local clubs free of charge. Nate will be attending Indiana Wesleyan University pursuing a degree in business administration. After college, he would like to return to the area and take a job so that he can work part time as a swim coach for Wawasee schools. Nate is the son of Collen Kryder and the late Andrew Kryder.

Keely Roe: Keely will be attending Butler University majoring in biology, pre-med. While attending Warsaw Community High School, Keely was student body president, class officer in speech and debate, and a member of the National Honor Society, among many other extracurricular activities. Keely is aiming for a surgical residency to specialize in general surgery. She shared with the selection committee that she is up to the challenge of multiple years of education because she “loves to learn and wants to become a master in a subject area so I can help enrich the lives of others.” Suzanne M. Light, chief executive officer, Suzanne Light Consulting LLC shared, “I have had the joy of mentoring many high school students. Keely Roe is as stunning an example of leadership, determination and perseverance as I have worked with.” Terence and Lori Roe of Warsaw are Keely’s parents.

Ethan Spencer: A Warsaw Community High School graduate, Ethan will be attending Purdue University in West Lafayette majoring in computer engineering to eventually pursue a career in artificial intelligence or video game design. For the past two years, Ethan has been a quality engineering intern for Medartis, aiding in a variety of quality engineering-based projects. Senior quality engineer Blake Gross of Medartis shared, “Each day Ethan comes to work with a good attitude, aptitude and attendance, which are key characteristics that we here at Medartis look for when we hire our team members. He plans to attend Purdue University for engineering, which further shows his desire to challenge himself and prepare for his future.” Ethan also found time to participate in all WCHS’s school plays and musicals during his four years of school. Rob and Gayle Spencer of Warsaw are Ethan’s parents.