Finalists Selected for UE High School Changemaker Challenge

Evansville, IN (02/05/2021) — The University of Evansville is pleased to announce the top 14 students who will be moving on to the final round of the 6th annual High School Changemaker Challenge, presented by Toyota. Because this year's event is held in a virtual format, high school students anywhere in the world were able to participate. Seven top competitors were selected from each of the two divisions, Social & Environmental Justice and Health, and are listed in no particular order.

Social & Environmental Justice

Grace Davidson - North High School, Evansville, Ind.; Helping victims of sexual assault receive compassionate care
Mederanno Abasi Okon - Loyola Jesuit College, Lagos, Nigeria; Improving education for kids in Nigeria
Aneesh Alapati - Castle High School, Newburgh, Ind.; Working to end gun violence in Evansville
Evelyn Hipp - Nole, Tenn.; Helping LGBTQ students feel supported
Ilya Budd - Arcola, Ill.; Rethinking recycling
Barak Hall - Evansville Christian School, Evansville, Ind.; Sustainable housing
Blayre Walters - Friends' Central High School, Philadelphia, Pa.; Improving mental health for children

Health

Madison Lucas - Evansville Christian School, Evansville, Ind.; Developing a virtual blood bank
Patricia Solliday - White River Valley High School, Switz City, Ind.; Portable health care for the elderly
Ali Scott - Northeastern High School, Richmond, Ind.; Basic health care for K-12 kids in need
Lydia Preske - Signature School, Evansville, Ind.; Infant formula temperature control
Amanda Deutsch - North High School, Haubstadt, Ind.; Food insecurity
Omaima Khan - Signature School, Newburgh, Ind.; Clean needle exchange
Anish Patel - Woodbridge High School, Irvine, Calif.; The Empowerment Gym

Students will compete in the final round of the challenge on Monday, February 15, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Awards will be announced later that day via YouTube Premiere. Winning students from each division who choose UE as their college destination will receive 4-year scholarships as listed below:

1st place: Full tuition
2nd place: $18,000 tuition scholarship and $5,000 housing scholarship
3rd place: $13,000 tuition scholarship and $5,000 housing scholarship

For more information, visit evansville.edu/cc-hs.

Students at the University of Evansville shape powerful and enduring change. UE is the first in Indiana to be designated as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, and its changemaking culture empowers students to improve the world around them as UE Changemakers. UE has an array of majors in business; engineering; the arts and sciences; and health science programs. UE has a diverse student body that represents 44 states and 52 countries. U.S. News & World Report recognizes UE as the #4 Best College in the Midwest among private schools. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.