Comiskey scholarship winners named

According to IU professor Nancy Comiskey, when bad things happen, we can either get bitter and close off from the world, or we can use it as an opportunity to help others. That's the thinking behind two scholarships in Comiskey's daughter Kate's name that were awarded this weekend. Kate, who was an English teacher at Indian Creek High School, was killed in a car accident last November. \n"My husband and I love our wonderful daughter and miss her so much," Comiskey said. "We see these two scholarships as a way of giving meaning to a senseless tragedy."\nComiskey and her husband, Steve, endowed a $2,000 scholarship at Indian Creek, and they hope the fund will provide the award for the foreseeable future. The recipient of the scholarship, according to a press release, is Jordan Schaaf, president of the Indian Creek senior class. Schaaf will study physical therapy at the University of Indianapolis this fall.\nNancy Comiskey said Schaaf was in Kate's homeroom during the year and a half she taught at Indian Creek. Schaaf also spoke at Kate's funeral. \nThe second scholarship was organized by Alison Baldwin, an English teacher at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. Steve Comiskey, Kate's father, taught English at Warren Central for 27 years.\n"My husband and I started the scholarship right after Kate's death," Baldwin said. "I put out a letter and an e-mail, The Indianapolis Star picked up the story and, literally, it was just an outpouring of love."\nBaldwin said they raised nearly $10,000. Baldwin and her husband, Jeff, are also organizing a golf outing, which is expected to raise another $15,000.\n"The kids, different school organizations, one of the school dances donated all proceeds to the fund," Baldwin said. "The outstanding thing here is that it's all on the generosity of others."\nThe scholarship, according to a press release, was awarded to Warren Central senior Sarah Wyn. The scholarship stipulates that the award go to a senior planning to go into education. Wyn will study English education at IU in the fall.\nThe application process was done name-blind and asked students to write about a teacher who inspired them and, in turn, how they would inspire their future students.\n"She's a dynamic young lady," Baldwin said. "Her application stood out from everyone else. Her essay touched on all the elements we were looking for, and then when we found out it was her we were quite happy. She's a phenomenal young lady." \nThese two separate scholarships will touch students in different parts of the state, but for those who came together, the awards provide a chance to honor and remember Kate.\n"She was a natural teacher; she had a gift," Nancy Comiskey said. "She fell in love with the students at Indian Creek and they fell in love with her. She was able to realize so many of her dreams; she wanted to help others realize some of theirs"