This year, we're profiling each recipient of the Peoples Bank Scholarship. This $1,000 award goes to a graduating senior in each of the school districts located in our branch communities: Indianola, Carlisle, Pleasantville, Southeast Warren, and Seymour.
Winners were anonymously chosen based on the merits of their academic and community involvement; and answers to the 300-word essay question, "Describe the importance of community involvement."
Cheynne Lewis, Carlisle High School
Next stop: Arizona State University, Barrett, The Honors College
Why ASU?: I chose that ASU because it has a really good program for my major and Barrett is the top honors college in the country.
Planning to study: Astrophysics
Favorite school trip: I don’t remember what grade it was (it was either 4th or 5th), but I got to go to Living History Harms, which was really exciting because I enjoy learning about history.
Favorite school lunch: I actually never ate school lunch, I’d always take my own. My go-to item was protein shakes though!
Best advice: I think the best advice I’ve received was from my brother. He told me to make myself whoever I wanted to be. This is very inspirational because I’ve been very shy and socially awkward my whole life, and I want to reform myself in college.
Where will you be in 10 years? I hope to have my PhD in 10 years and be working for NASA. I’d also hope to open a community theater once I graduate.
Essay Excerpt
"I love being active in my community. It has really helped me come out of my shell and given me a sense of purpose and belonging. I think it is very important for an individual to feel like they are a part of something. I know from personal experience, it is extremely difficult to feel alone. This is why providing for the community is so great, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and it makes you realize that you are not alone. I intend to keep up community involvement for the rest of my life."
Academic/Community Involvement
High School Debate: 3 years, lettered in Varsity Debate 1 year
Large Group Speech: 3 years, made it to state 3 years, lettered 3 years
Individual Speech: 2 years, made it to state 1 year, lettered 1 year
High School Choir and Drama: 2 years, musicals and plays, lettered in Choir
Mock Trial: 2 years
JV Girls Golf: 1 year
National Honor Society Member
Student Ambassador
Silver Cord Winner for more than 300 hours of volunteering over 3 years of high school
Zoo Crew Member at the Blank Park Zoo since 2018
CAP Community Theater and Ankeny Community Theater
Carlisle Historical Society
Friends of Carlisle Parks
Carlisle Hometown Pride
I am involved with my church as a member of the Praise Choir and the Chancel Choir and volunteer for church community events
Dollars for Scholars
