Dustin Zachary Stanton

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“I reached my accomplishments and overall achievements through dedication to academics and extracurriculars.”

  • Program: 2009 College Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: Los Angeles, CA
  • Hometown: Seymour, IN
  • Age: 21

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience:  Dustin’s desire to be a Young Scholar was driven by the limits he said he faced residing in a small community in South Central Indiana. He said the pivotal moment in his life was when he attended his first Foundation-sponsored summer program, a Civic Education Project’s “Hunger & Homeless” seminar. “Before that, I had never done anything outside high school expectations,” which opened his perspective beyond his small community.

Profile:  For his undergraduate studies Dustin will be staying close to home at Butler University, just an hour away in Indianapolis. His hometown of Seymour, known as the crossroads of Indiana, is also the birthplace of music star John Mellencamp. While Dustin is not musically inclined like Mr. Mellencamp, he has several other qualities that Seymour’s most famous son doesn’t possess. Dustin’s life was transformed during his high school years, from that of someone who stayed on the sidelines watching the action, to joining in and making things happen. He became immersed in local and international community service projects and continues those good deeds today.

Inspiration: Dustin’s most influential teacher was Catherine Dix Sipe, who was his Expository Writing instructor his junior year of high school. “Her class fostered my personality to go beyond expectations.”

Aspiration:  A lifetime of service to his fellow man is Dustin’s goal, probably as a physician.

Making a Difference:  When he was 16 Dustin participated in a mentorship for biomedical research dealing with the genetic importance of sexual orientation. He presented the research project at a conference at Yale University.

Accolades: Dustin was copy editor of the his high school yearbook, “The Patriot”, which won the “Best Copy” award for the State of Indiana in 2008. The Latin Club of which Dustin was the captain finished in third place in the state competition. In his spare time, Dustin enjoys bowling and last year he placed 22nd in a state-wide competition of high school-age students.

Interesting fact:   While Dustin is destined to be a physician, he may also be destined for the Professional Bowlers Association. In his life he’s rolled several perfect 300 games and averages between 218 and 225. 

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