Huntington YMCA awards third annual Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarships
Photo of scholarship presentation: L to R: Todd Latta, YMCA CEO, Malarie Pinwar, Abbey Gentz, Eli Conwell, Hayden Miller and Annika Carpenter. Not pictured: Tyler Gradeless.
Parkview Huntington Family YMCA recently awarded Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarships, named in honor of Richard (Dick) L. Floyd, formerly of Huntington. Six area students were granted scholarship funds and are now beginning the 2025-26 school year. Following are more details about this year’s scholarship recipients and Richard Floyd’s legacy.
Annika Carpenter is a Huntington resident and a 2025 Huntington North High School graduate. Annika has worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at our YMCA since the summer of 2022. She is attending Indiana University Bloomington to major in human biology and Spanish with a career goal of becoming a physician.
Eli Conwell is from Huntington and a 2025 Huntington North High School graduate. Eli participated in the ICE (Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education) program through Huntington North High School and logged many hours working in the pool. He plans to attend Purdue Fort Wayne to study business accounting and obtain a bachelor’s degree. Eli has worked as a lifeguard at our Y since the summer of 2021 and plans to continue to work here while attending college.
Abbey Gentz hails from Woodlan, Indiana and was a 2021 Woodlan High School graduate. Abbey attends Huntington University and is seeking an exercise science degree with a minor in psychology. After completing her bachelor’s degree she is considering obtaining a master’s degree in exercise science or dietetics and has the goal of becoming a collegiate track coach. Abbey has worked at our YMCA as a personal trainer since April 2024.
Tyler Gradeless graduated from Huntington North High School in 2023. He grew up in our YMCA and began working as an employee in 2020. Tyler has worked in several areas of the Y including assistant to the property director. In the sports program, Tyler has worked as a site supervisor and referee in youth soccer and basketball. Tyler is currently serving a full-time mission in the Greater Seattle area as a dually-ordained minister. He plans to attend Utah Valley University to study business following the completion of his mission work this fall.
Hayden Miller is a Huntington resident and a 2025 Huntington North High School graduate. She has been employed as a lifeguard at our Y since 2022. Hayden is enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington and is studying human biology with the intent to pursue a career in radiology.
Malarie Pinwar is from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and was a 2022 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. Malarie has worked in several areas of our Y, including wellness coach, cycle instructor, day camp counselor and personal trainer. She initially came to Huntington and attended Huntington University and recently transferred to Taylor University where she continues to work toward her degree in exercise science. After Malarie graduates in May 2026, she plans to continue in school to obtain a doctorate of physical therapy and pursue her career goal of working as a physical therapist.
Now, more about Richard Floyd. Mr. Floyd was a lifetime member of the YMCA, often bragging that he “learned to swim for $.10″ at the Y in downtown Huntington. Born in Rockford, Indiana, Floyd moved to Huntington during his childhood. Upon graduation from Huntington High School in 1946, he joined the Merchant Marines U.S. Coast Guard, where he served for two years. This is where he developed a love of being on the water. Upon returning home, he worked on the Erie Railroad before eventually joining his father’s insurance agency, where he settled into his lifetime career. He enjoyed shooting baskets in the upstairs gym and swimming laps at the downtown Y, but sailing was his passion. He owned four sailboats during his lifetime, learning to sail on Lake Wawasee and frequently navigating the waters of Lake Michigan. Upon retiring from sailing, he donated his sailboat to the Huntington YMCA, and the proceeds from its sale helped to fund the construction of the new Parkview Huntington YMCA as it exists today. Upon his passing in January 2021, he bequeathed a significant gift to the YMCA. The proceeds have been invested in several projects including the creation of the Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarship.
Todd Latta, CEO at the YMCA replied, “Mr. Floyd believed in the YMCA and there is no doubt that the Y had a significant impact on the man that he strived to be during his lifetime. Although I did not personally know him, I do know that he believed in us because he has entrusted us with his life’s work. The DickFloyd Memorial Scholarship has been created with a gift from Mr. Floyd’s estate as an effort to support our employees’ continuing education and personal development. My goal is to honor him and ensure his legacy lives on by continuing to develop people who believe in our work.”
To receive consideration for up to $1000 scholarship, YMCA employees must work for our Y for at least two years and complete a minimum number of work hours to be eligible to apply for the scholarship. If their work history is less than the minimums, a scholarship award may be proportionate to the number of hours worked. Annually there are opportunities for Parkview Huntington Family YMCA employees to apply for scholarship funds through the Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarship Fund. Additional information about the scholarship can be found on the Y website: HERE.
Group photo of scholarship presentation: L to R: Todd Latta, YMCA CEO, Malarie Pinwar, Abbey Gentz, Eli Conwell, Hayden Miller and Annika Carpenter. Not pictured: Tyler Gradeless.
Below photo is Richard Floyd enjoying time on one of his sailboats.
