Honda Grant Supports Batesville High School Digital Design Pathway

Students now have the opportunity to experience the full design process from their first sketch to a professionally finished product

Third year digital design students Edward Volk, Mason Connelly, Bella Weberding, Avery Kuntz, Isabella Cox, and Ella King stand next to the school’s new equipment, made possible through a grant from Honda. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - The Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) has announced a grant contribution of $35,221.23 from Honda to support the digital design learning pathway at Batesville High School (BHS).

This funding will help advance the school corporation’s Bulldog Ready initiative by expanding meaningful, career-focused learning opportunities in our rural community. Three-course pathways, which provide in-depth learning in potential career fields, are a major component of Bulldog Ready at the high school level.

“This grant from Honda has been used to purchase a professional-grade vinyl printer, cutter, and laminator,” explained Kyle Laker, BCSC Bulldog Ready Coordinator. “These three pieces of industry-ready equipment will be foundational to our digital design pathway, providing students with hands-on skills and work-based learning opportunities while laying the groundwork for a future student-run print shop.”

By serving school and community customers, BHS students will gain valuable business experience. Partnerships with local artists, graphic designers, and sign shops will strengthen this initiative by exposing students to industry practices and installation methods. Through this program, students will not only learn to design but also to operate like professionals, which is a cornerstone of the Bulldog Ready initiative.

“The Honda grant is helping us bridge the gap between digital creativity and real-world production,” added Kyle Hunteman, BHS digital design teacher. “Our students will now have the opportunity to experience the full design process from their first sketch to a professionally finished product.”

Each grant awarded by Honda aligns with one of several dedicated pillars of focus. Honda is committed to empowering young people by prioritizing education and career readiness, fostering the creativity and innovation needed to solve tomorrow’s challenges. Through its Education pillar, Honda supports programs such as this that inspire the next generation and create opportunities for them to succeed.

“The digital design pathway embodies the Bulldog Ready vision by preparing graduates who are creative, capable, and career-ready contributors to their community,” Laker concluded. “We are grateful to Honda for supporting this career pathway at BHS.”