Student Receives National Leadership Scholarhip

The Art Institute of Indianapolis is proud to announce student Cheryl Carr as a recipient of the Military Leadership Award 2008 from the Imagine America Foundation and Career Colleges Association.  Carr is one of six winners nationwide to receive this $5,000.00 scholarship. At an award ceremony on September 23, 2008 at Capitol Hill, Carr was joined by The Art Institute of Indianapolis President Madeleine Slutsky.  "Cheryl is a model student," said Slutsky.  "We are proud of her accomplishments both in the military and academically." 

Carr was treated to a special tour of the U.S. Capitol Building and personal congratulations by Congressman André Carson who took time during a very busy day.  That was one place she had not visied before, but traveling to Washington D.C. did returned Carr to her old marching grounds.  Carr served as a Navy Ceremonial Guard at Arlington National Cemetery and several other special locations and services in Washington D.C.  She arrived at her post weeks before the terrorist attacks in 2001. 

After 9/11, Cheryl volunteered with the Casualty Assistance Care Officers by making phone calls to the families of the people who had perished in the Pentagon.  Many of the ceremonies she performed in Arlington Nation Cemetery were for men and women who perished in the Pentagon attacks.
"It had a definite impact on my life," said Carr.  "But it just made me more proud that I was serving our country and it increased the already strong camaraderie that exists in the military.  I would not trade my service time for anything.  It has made me who I am today."

After her two years as a Navy Ceremonial Guard, Carr became a nurse corpsman.  Her plans were to finish her nursing degree, but those plans fell through.  Instead, everything fell into place for her to use a passion she has always had for design by attending The Art Institute of Indianapolis.  "My father was an engineer who inspired me," said Carr.  "As far back as I can remember, I was always drawing, redecorating my room and helping my father and brothers to build retaining walls."

It would seem Carr is on the right path.  She is a stand-out Interior Design student with a 3.99 GPA and a 99% attendance record.  Carr also has an internship at Gibraltar Design, full service architectural, engineering and design firm.  Her goal is to work at a firm that designs hospitals or similar facilities.  Carr is set to graduate in December of 2009.