YMCA awards Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarships

Parkview Huntington Family YMCA recently awarded the 2026 Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarships, named in honor of Richard (Dick) L. Floyd, formerly of Huntington. During the July YMCA board meeting, seven area students were granted scholarship funds to be used during their 2026-27 school year. The above photo includes left, Todd Latta, Parkview Huntington Family YMCA CEO, along with scholarship recipients Charlotte Welch, Landen Pearson, Luke Stults, Hadley Parsons and Eli Conwell. Not pictured are Tyler Gradeless and Stephen Petry.

Parkview Huntington Family YMCA recently awarded the Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarships, named in honor of Richard (Dick) L. Floyd, formerly of Huntington. Seven area students were granted scholarship funds and are now beginning their 2026-27 school year.

Richard Floyd was a lifelong member and dedicated supporter of the YMCA. He often shared that he “learned to swim for 10 cents” at the original downtown Huntington YMCA, a place that played an important role throughout his life.

Born in Rockford, Indiana, Floyd moved to Huntington as a child. After graduating from Huntington High School in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marines, where he served for two years. During his time in the service, he developed a lifelong passion for the water.

Upon returning to Huntington, Floyd worked for the Erie Railroad before joining his father’s insurance agency, where he built a successful career that spanned decades. While he enjoyed playing basketball in the YMCA’s upstairs gym and swimming laps at the downtown facility, sailing became his greatest passion. Over the years, he owned four sailboats, learning to sail on Lake Wawasee and spending many memorable days navigating the waters of Lake Michigan.

When he retired from sailing, Floyd donated his sailboat to the Huntington YMCA. Proceeds from its sale helped support the construction of the Parkview Huntington YMCA, where the community continues to benefit today.

Following his passing in January 2021, Floyd left a generous bequest to the YMCA. His gift has funded several meaningful initiatives, including the establishment of the Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarship, ensuring that his commitment to the YMCA and the Huntington community will continue to make a lasting impact for generations to come.

Following are more details about this year’s scholarship recipients and Richard Floyd’s legacy.

Eli Conwell is from Huntington and a 2025 Huntington North High School graduate. While in high school, Eli participated in the ICE (Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education) program through Huntington North and logged many hours working in the pool. He attends Huntington University and is studying Christian ministries with Bible and theology minors. He has a goal to work in children’s ministries. Conwell has worked as a lifeguard at the Y since the summer of 2021 and continues to work here while attending college.

Tyler Gradeless graduated from Huntington North High School in 2023. He grew up in the Y and is the son of Y employee, Jill Gradeless. Tyler has also been a Y employee, working in several areas including assistant to the property director, site supervisor and referee in youth soccer and basketball. Gradeless currently attends Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and is studying biology. His career goal to obtain his bachelor’s degree and then enter dental school.

Hadley Parsons is a 2026 graduate of Huntington North High School. She has been employed as a lifeguard at the Y since February 2024. Hadley will begin attending Manchester University this fall to pursue her bachelor’s degree and also continue her education with a career goal of physical therapy. Parsons will be a student-athlete swimming on the women’s swim team while at Manchester.

Landen Pearson graduated from Huntington North High School in 2026. He has worked at the Y assisting in the maintenance department. Pearson is the son of Y employee, David Pearson. Landen will be a freshman at Trine University and is studying computer engineering.

Stephen Petry completed his high school homeschooling in 2026. He has been a Y employee since September 2024, mostly working as a music instructor and occasionally as a lifeguard. Petry is undecided in his area of study at this time.

Luke Stults is part of the Huntington North High School graduating class of 2026. He has worked as a lifeguard at the Y since May 2024. Luke will begin attending Manchester University this fall and plans to study business administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. He will also be a student-athlete on the Manchester swim team.

Charlotte Welch graduated from Huntington North High School in 2024 and has been employed in the Play and Learn area of the Y since July 2024. Charlotte attends Purdue Fort Wayne and is studying graphic design. She is interested in art and art therapy as possible future career goals.

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 Dick Floyd 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 a $1,000 scholarship, YMCA employees must work for the 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 at huntingtony.org.