Wheeler prepares for next chapter after graduation
By SYDNEY KENT
“Candy kisses and peppermints”
“BHES announces Grade 4 honor roll”
“2017 Wells Community Swim Team”
“4 named ambassadors”
“Knights defeat Tigers in girls’ tennis opener”
“Wheeler wins top honor at art show”
“The E.L.L.A Project”
Ella Wheeler has been making headlines in Wells County since her first dance recital at three years old. As she prepares to say goodbye to the community that has helped shape her, she said she is treasuring every moment.
One of the bigger moments is quickly approaching — graduation.
She erupted into laughter thinking about the event slotted for Friday night.
“Oh my gosh,” Wheeler said, her eyes wide. “I just want to keep soaking in the smaller moments while I can.”
Another big moment Wheeler is looking forward to is the Wells County 4-H Fair, which takes place every year in July.
Wheeler has been a very active 10-year member of the 4-H. Throughout her time, she has participated in showing many animals, entomology, arts and crafts, photography, sewing, fashion, beekeeping, archery, and much more. She has consistently won impressive awards in all areas of her work.
‘I’m so excited for it,” Wheeler said. “I know it’s going to be the last year. I just don’t think it’s going to hit me until after that week comes. Like, ‘Oh, it’s really over.’”
Though it may be ending for this dedicated member, much of her time spent in 4-H has built a solid foundation for Wheeler’s future career goals. She hopes to become a veterinarian who specializes in the care of farm animals.
Wheeler intends to attend the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine as a secondary degree following her undergraduate degree from Butler University.
Wheeler has won awards at the Tri Kappa Art Show, played multiple sports and managed junior varsity and varsity boys’ basketball teams, and participated in Youth As Resources, Campus Life, Students for Christ, and the Beekeepers Association of Indiana — to name a few. Though she has been a part of many organizations and causes, Wheeler has had the longest tenure in dance.
She first began to practice the art at three years old. She has participated in the Creative Arts Council School of Ballet ever since, earning numerous awards. Wheeler accredits the art form for her level of poise and discipline — and great posture.
It was during a break at a recent dance performance Wheeler received a letter she said moved her to tears.
“We got the letter the day of my Nutcracker performance,” Wheeler recalled. “I had two shows that day — did you get the letter before the first one?” Wheeler paused to clarify with her mom, Abbey Wheeler. Abbey smiled and nodded her head to confirm.
“So, she opened up the letter because she saw it was from the foundation,” Wheeler continued. “So they knew before me.”
Wheeler recounted the details as she said hello to her family and friends during the break. Her dad handed her a card that said, “We are so proud of you. And I have something else for you.”
“He hands me this letter,” Wheeler paused. “I opened it up after I saw the Wells County Foundation seal on it. My eyes got huge, and I just — I closed it. Then I looked back and started reading it.”
Abbey Wheeler described the look of realization on her daughter’s face as she realized she was not simply a finalist, but the winner.
“Oh, I lost it,” Ella Wheeler laughed. “Then everyone lost it.”
With the Lilly Endowment Scholarship, Wheeler will receive full tuition to any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university and up to a $900 per year stipend for required books and equipment.
Wheeler said the accumulation of the things she has dedicated her time, talent, and heart to have prepared her well for this next chapter.
“Each thing I have been a part of has definitely taught me something,” Wheeler explained. “They are things I will bring with me throughout my entire life. With dance, there is a lot of dedication, structure, discipline, and confidence. 4-H is definitely a lot of hard work. It taught me to get up early in the morning to get my work done and to see how my hard work has paid off. It’s a common thread.”
“It really is hard work,” Abbey Wheeler affirmed. “All of it is a lot of really hard work, and you get to see the results.”
“Before the results, it’s kind of hard — with ballet especially,” Wheeler explained. “You go months and months and months preparing for things. It’s not that it gets stagnant, but it’s hard to do the same things over and over. But then it comes to exams and performances, and you see how you’ve improved. It’s sort of like, ‘Oh — that’s why I did these things. It has transferred in all parts of my life.’”
Wheeler laughed as she joked about her two younger brothers, nearly taller than her already, taking over her bedroom when she moves to college. Though she will dearly miss their antics, she is excited to plan her new space and join her friends as they venture on similar journeys.
Her parents, James and Abbey Wheeler, have a few final words for their not-so-little girl on the day before her high school graduation: “I think our advice is to keep being true to yourself and continue to lean on the Lord’s wisdom. We love you and are so proud of the outstanding young woman of God you are becoming.”
sydney@news-banner.com
