While growing up in Henry County, Kyleigh Compton imagined a future in cosmetology and business. She enrolled in the cosmetology program at the New Castle Career Center and began building the skills she thought would shape her career.
But during her senior year, something shifted. Through her volunteer work with students in the special education program at Blue River Schools, she started feeling drawn to teaching.
Kyleigh went on to attend Ball State and receive a bachelor’s degree in Intensive Interventions. After graduating, she began working as an instructional aide at New Castle Schools.
“I quickly realized how much I loved the work and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students I serve,” Kyleigh shared.
Kyleigh’s career started as a special education life skills teacher. Every day, she helps students build confidence, independence, and skills that will carry them far beyond the classroom.
Wanting to deepen her knowledge and better support students with autism, Kyleigh enrolled in a program to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). It’s a rigorous certification that requires significant coursework.
Fortunately, funding from a scholarship created by Junette Chance, in memory of her daughter, Janice, years earlier helped make that opportunity possible.
With support from the Janice Paige Hughes Scholarship Fund, Kyleigh was able to continue her education without the added financial pressure.
Kyleigh reflected, “This scholarship has given me the opportunity to pursue coursework that strengthens my skills in classroom behavior management. The training has been invaluable, equipping me to effectively address challenging behaviors and make a meaningful difference in the lives of my students.”
What Kyleigh may not have realized is that her opportunity began years earlier with a thoughtful decision made in a will.
In the early days of the Foundation, Junette Chance chose to include the Henry County Community Foundation in her estate plans. She wanted to create something that would support Henry County residents pursuing certifications, degrees, or graduate studies in special education.
When her estate gift established the Janice Paige Hughes Fund in 2007, it began with $85,000. Thanks to thorough stewardship and investment through the Foundation, the fund has now grown to more than $530,000.
Today, Junette’s thoughtful decision to include the Foundation in her will continues to create opportunities she could only imagine.
Nearly twenty years later, her legacy continues to make an impact, opening doors for local educators and transforming the lives of area students. By supporting Kyleigh’s BCBA certification, the fund enhances her expertise and deepens her engagement in the classroom. It is a beautiful example of what happens when we commit to the long-term success of our community.
Planned giving is one of the most impactful ways to invest in the community’s future. When donors include the Henry County Community Foundation in their estate plan, whether through a bequest in their will, a charitable trust, or naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement account, donors ensure that causes they care about are strengthened long after they’re gone.
Estate planning isn’t just about organizing assets. It’s about ensuring the donor’s passion lives on. The Henry County Community Foundation is here to help donors navigate this process. Find out more by visiting henrycountycf.org/planned-giving.