When Karol Redondo-Ponce graduates from Shortridge High School Thursday, she'll become the first person in her family to graduate high school.

Why it matters: The daughter of Honduran immigrants who did not complete middle school, Redondo-Ponce will also become the first in her family to attend college when she starts at Columbia University this fall.

• She's doing so backed by one of the nation's most prestigious awards, the Gates Scholarship, which covers the full cost of a four-year college education for top Pell-eligible minority seniors.

The big picture: Redondo-Ponce is among more than 1,000 Indianapolis Public Schools students graduating this week from the district's four high schools.

• Crispus Attucks and George Washington will hold their commencement ceremonies at Hinkle Fieldhouse today, followed by Shortridge and Arsenal Tech Thursday.
• Across the district, college applications are up 38% and more than 75% of the class of 2026 plans to enroll in some kind of post-secondary education, according to IPS.
• Enrollment in partner programs like Indiana University Indianapolis, which offers direct admittance for IPS students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, is up 44% over the past two years.

State of play: Redondo-Ponce says that Shortridge, Indianapolis's only public International Baccalaureate high school, challenged her academically and helped to prepare her for the road ahead.

• She plans to study biochemistry as a premed student before attending medical school to become an OB-GYN.
• Then, Redondo-Ponce said, she plans to use her bilingual ability — she's fluent in both English and Spanish — to connect with the Latina community.

What she's saying: Redondo-Ponce told Axios that watching her mother try to navigate health care with doctors who weren't fluent in Spanish inspired her.

• "You're seeing them at their most vulnerable, and just being able to just mix languages … I feel like that's important," she said.
• As for their first child preparing to leave the nest, Redondo-Ponce said her parents are "a tad bit nervous, but proud for sure."

What's next

Former Vice President Mike Pence — once targeted by rioters during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack — says people who assaulted police officers that day should not receive taxpayer compensation under President Trump's IRS settlement.

The big picture: The former Indiana governor has been praised for resisting pressure from Trump and allies to overturn or delay certification of former President Biden's 2020 election victory.

• Following the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Pence was ostracized by the Republican Party and its leader.

Driving the news: Pence called Jan. 6 a "tragic day" while speaking to Axios Tuesday.

• "I didn't agree with the President when he pardoned people who engaged in violence against law enforcement officials," Pence said.
• "And it would be my hope that anyone who engaged in violence against law enforcement or at the Capitol building would never be rewarded with taxpayers' money."

Catch up quick: Trump agreed Monday to settle his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS on Monday in exchange for a $1.8 billion fund to compensate those who claim they were targets of government "weaponization."

• The agreement creates a taxpayer-backed fund that could compensate people who claim they were wrongly targeted by the government, potentially including some Jan. 6 defendants.

What he's saying: "I think the overwhelming majority of people that have ever voted for Republican candidates ... still believe in a strong national defense, still believe in fiscal responsibility, still believe in traditional values," said Pence, whose upcoming book "What Conservatives Believe" examines the future of the Republican party.

• "And so my hope is that, as time goes on, people are going to return to those time-honored principles."

🏀 Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is heading to the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 as grand marshal. She'll give the traditional command for drivers to report to their cars during pre-race ceremonies. (WTHR)

⛪ Eastern Star Church has purchased Martin University's eastside campus and plans to turn the former site of the predominantly Black institution into affordable housing. (Indianapolis Recorder)

🗳️ President Trump-endorsed Senate District 23 challenger Paula Copenhaver has filed for a recount of her three-vote loss to Sen. Spencer Deery, claiming their GOP primary race was marred by illegal votes. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

🐘 Senate District 15 challenger Darren Vogt also filed a recount petition yesterday, asking for a review of ballots cast in his narrow loss to Trump-backed Sen. Liz Brown. (IndyStar)

📚 The Indianapolis Public Library will debut two new bookmobiles during Saturday's 500 Festival Parade. (WISH-TV)

🐾 Nicholas here!

I'm a four-legged social butterfly who isn't shy about wanting all your TLC.

De-tails: I'm 6 years old and 83 pounds.

• I love meeting new people and I already know lots of commands.
• I do well on walks and love exploring, but I also have a goofy side I can't wait to show you.

What they're barking: The folks at IACS say I'm affectionate, social and convinced that butt scratches should be a full-time job for my humans.

• "He would likely do best as the only pet in the home, where he does not have to worry about sharing food, toys, or attention with other animals," they said. "In return, he is more than ready to soak up all the love for himself."

Dig deeper: Fill out an application for Nicholas and see other adoptable pets online.

"There were good days, bad days ... good years, bad years and I just never gave up. I always just felt like I could do it."

Forty years after winning the race that changed his life, Bobby Rahal relived those memories last night at a screening of the documentary charting his path to Indianapolis 500 glory.

Driving the news: "Bobby Rahal — True American Racer" details the (sometimes bumpy) early days of Rahal's career through his rise to dominance the 1986 win just days before his car owner and friend Jim Trueman died from cancer.

• The film was produced by Scott Borchetta, the founder and chair of Big Machine Records, a member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum board and a racing history buff.
• "It's not just a great sports story," Borchetta told Axios, "it's a great human story."

Go deeper: Hear more from Rahal, Borchetta and others on Axios Indy's new Instagram.