“I am very thankful to be one of the first students to receive the Erik Dalton Myoskeletal Massage Therapy Scholarship. As a senior at Indiana State University studying athletic training with a concentration in applied medicine and rehabilitation, this scholarship has inspired me to work even harder to reach my full potential as a massage therapist. The program at Indiana State has helped me learn more about the human body than I ever imagined, and it has changed my life in the most positive way.

“I am from the small town of Union Mills, Indiana. One of my goals is to introduce massage therapy to the people in my community in order to improve their lives. When I first started the massage therapy program, I asked my dad if I could practice some of the techniques I had learned on him, and he was willing to let me. He did not believe me when I told him I could help with his hip pain. To this day, he cannot stop telling people how I “fixed” his hip problem.

“Once I started seeing the results of my work, I gained a lot of confidence and grew eager to learn more. By working with other students in the class, I have learned new ways to perform certain techniques — and how to perform them correctly. The open clinic we hold at the Indiana State Student Recreation Center has been very helpful as well, challenging my thinking and allowing me to see different body types.

“Charlie Peebles is a great mentor, and I am extremely thankful he can teach me what Erik Dalton taught him. Whatever questions I ask, he always has answers for me. I am truly grateful for the support provided by the Erik Dalton Myoskeletal Massage Therapy Scholarship — it has allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a massage therapist.”