John G. Blakesley
Mathematical Excellence
Scholarship for 8th Graders

Investing Early in a Student’s Future

Each year, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County selects one outstanding eighth-grade student to receive a four-year scholarship, awarded upon their high school graduation, to support the cost of higher education.

This scholarship is made possible thanks to the generosity of John Blakesley, an Elkhart native and successful businessman who believed deeply in the power of education. A graduate of Elkhart High School, John built a meaningful career and life in Colorado, but never forgot the community that shaped him. He established this scholarship as a way to encourage local students and open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

What the Scholarship Covers

The recipient will receive $1,250 per year for four years—a total of $5,000—to help cover tuition at an accredited college, university, or vocational program. The award is disbursed after high school graduation, as long as the student continues to meet eligibility criteria.

How to Be Considered

• Students must be current eighth graders enrolled in an Elkhart County public or private school
• Each eligible school may nominate one student based on the scholarship’s selection criteria
• Counselors submit a nomination through the scholarship portal, and a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher is required for each nominee.

The selection process focuses on character, leadership, and a commitment to learning—qualities John Blakesley valued and hoped to nurture in future generations.

School counselors guide the nomination process each spring and notify selected students and families directly.