A group of high school seniors participating in today's Inauguration Scholarship Celebration used such words as "exciting," "amazing" and overwhelming" to describe their emotions moments before being honored.

Twenty-five students were recognized during a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse where they received scholarships partially funded with money the university saved by forgoing a formal inauguration ceremony.

The ceremony and the accompanying photo sessions had a "wow factor" for Steven Penzenik, a senior from Clay High School in South Bend.

"I can't believe I am receiving such an honor," he said. "I never thought that as a high school student I would be here with the governor and Ball State's president getting this scholarship. My parents were speechless."

Carmel High School's Jennifer Millikan, who plans to major in architecture, was impressed by the number of people attending the event, which attracted several Indianapolis television stations, newspaper reporters and radio news reporters.

"This is so exciting for my parents and myself," she said. "The scholarship will help my family pay for college and will allow me to have money to spend on educational opportunities like studying abroad and traveling."

The scholarship wasn't the only reason Millikan selected Ball State. Her older brother is a senior in the Miller College of Business.

"Bob loves Ball State and that made the decision much easier," she said.

Courtnie Armbruster, a senior from Avon, believes Ball State's teacher education program is a solid match for her plans to study speech-language pathology.

"I really want to work with young children and Ball State has a great program," she said.

Dianne Moake, principal of Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, which had two students receiving Inauguration Scholarships, said the ceremony was a great opportunity to honor our best young people.

"Since I do have a special connection as wife of Richard Moake, one of Ball State's trustees, I know that our students look for certain programs at the university, such as business, journalism and teaching," she said. "And, since Ball State has so many wonderful programs, it is a perfect fit for so many of our students."