From Eastern Hancock to Purdue University and John Deere, Luke Schilling is discovering just how far a strong foundation can take him.
When Luke Schilling arrived at Purdue University, he went from graduating in a class of just 86 students at Eastern Hancock to navigating a campus of more than 50,000 people. It was a big change, but one he felt ready to embrace.
Now pursuing a dual major in Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management and Agribusiness Management, Luke is building a future in an industry he's passionate about. He spent his first summer after high school interning with John Deere's combine marketing team and has already accepted another internship with the company for the upcoming summer.
While Purdue has opened the door to new experiences, Luke credits much of his confidence and preparation to his years at Eastern Hancock.
A Head Start on College
Luke remembers sitting in one of his first college physics classes and realizing something surprising: much of the material was already familiar.
"I felt like I had already learned it all in AP Physics from EH," he recalled.
The college credits Luke earned in high school also gave him a significant advantage. With many prerequisite courses already completed, he has been able to pursue two majors while focusing more of his time on coursework directly related to his interests.
But academic preparation was only part of what Eastern Hancock gave him.
Finding His Voice and Learning to Lead
For Luke, some of his most meaningful learning happened outside the traditional classroom, particularly through Eastern Hancock's FFA program.
Through FFA, he developed public speaking skills, learned to lead an organization and discovered the importance of advocating for himself and for agriculture.
One person who made a lasting impression was his FFA advisor, Sarah Williams.
"She put countless hours into me and the FFA program at EH without much recognition," Luke shared.
He especially admired her organization and attention to detail. Whether planning events, preparing for contests, or coordinating meetings, Williams modeled the kind of leadership Luke now tries to practice himself.
"Since I've been in college, I can definitely see that because I saw how Ms. Williams handled things, I try to mimic some of those tendencies."
Small School. Big Opportunities.
When Luke reflects on his Eastern Hancock experience, he sees the district's smaller size as one of its greatest strengths.
At EH, he wasn't limited to just one activity or interest. Students had opportunities to participate in athletics, clubs, leadership, community service, and other experiences that helped them discover their strengths.
"One of the biggest advantages about EH is the smaller school atmosphere allows you to participate and be active in so many areas," Luke explained.
Those opportunities helped him develop into a more well-rounded individual and made the transition to college feel surprisingly natural.
"I didn't feel like there was a humongous step from HS to college," he said.
While living away from family and adjusting to a much larger campus brought new challenges, Luke found that balancing classes, clubs, and activities felt familiar because of the independence and responsibility he had developed at Eastern Hancock.
He also recognizes that attending Purdue has introduced him to a wider variety of cultures, people, and experiences than he encountered in high school. That exposure has been one of the most eye-opening parts of his college journey and an area where he believes additional opportunities could benefit future EH students.
Ready for What's Next
For current Eastern Hancock students who might be wondering whether they're ready for life after graduation, Luke offers some encouragement.
"If you are applying yourself in HS and truly working to better yourself, then you are much more ready for college than it seems."
His advice is to embrace the changes ahead and recognize the opportunities that come with them.
From the classrooms and FFA experiences at Eastern Hancock to the lecture halls at Purdue and an internship with John Deere, Luke's journey is a reminder that being part of a small school doesn't mean having small opportunities.
Built at Eastern Hancock. Ready for anywhere.
Built Here. Ready for Anywhere. is an Eastern Hancock graduate spotlight series celebrating the experiences, opportunities and people who help prepare our graduates for their next chapters.