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Prickett, Hal Memorial Scholarship Fund
$1,000.00
For West Noble High School seniors and graduates who will be enrolled in full-time study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or technical school for the 2024-25 school year, and who have demonstrated a commitment of service to their community. Awards $1,000 one time. (CA-5) Extra essays required. Each essay response should be 125-250 words. 1. Who on Sesame Street is most like you? How? Be specific and give examples. 2. Think of a time when you felt you were treated unfairly due to someone else’s perception of who you are, based on your age, academic or vocational interest, athletic ability, etc. “How has this experience affected your view of discrimination in your community? What are some positive steps you have taken toward helping everyone in your community feel welcome?”
Donor Fund Story:
Hal Prickett was born in Pennsylvania in 1932 and grew up in Wolf Lake, Indiana. He attended Indiana University and received both his bachelors and masters from IU. Hal had a personality that was a little bit bigger than life. People liked to imitate him, especially his students and he was able to laugh at himself.
He was a high school teacher and taught at Ligonier High School and West Noble High School for over 25 years (Ligonier, Cromwell, and Wawaka High Schools merged in the 1960’s to form West Noble High School). History, government and sociology were the classes he taught and he wanted his students to learn the value of helping in communities and wanted them to know the democratic process of government.
He was not only a teacher, but was a Senior Class Sponsor, a baseball coach, and a varsity basketball coach. He even got to coach baseball at IPFW for six years. He also became a high school athletic director.
Hal could see in his students what wasn’t so obvious to them. He could see strengths under the surface and would encourage his students to use those strengths. Many of Mr. Prickett’s students demonstrated their fondness, as well as unique respect for him, by referring to him as “Hal”. Mr. Prickett’s devotion to his students was demonstrated by his continued and ongoing interest in their lives long after their high school graduation.
One of Hal’s friends said they appreciated his honesty and his commitment to his community. Being involved in his community is an understatement. Hal was active in the Ligonier United Methodist Church, the West Noble American Legion Post, the Ligonier Elk Lodge, the Noble County Retired Teachers Association, and the Indiana University Alumni Association. Hal also participated in political campaigns and ran for political office following his retirement from teaching. He also served in the Korean War.
The anonymous donor who created this fund wanted to honor Hal because he committed his life to his school and his students. He never got married and never had any children, but the school was his family, so the donor said it made sense that his legacy was left here in Noble County. Hal appreciated Noble County because it was his home and he felt that he belonged and was appreciated there. Hal contracted a long time illness called emphysema. In May of 1997, Hal passed away from this disease. He was a very humble man, and he would have probably been very proud and honored with this fund, but also embarrassed because he did not like to make a big deal of himself. If Hal were living, he would be very proud of the students who received a scholarship in his honor.
