“She had the biggest, most passionate heart. She was simply too good for this world.”
That is how Melissa Carreon Jaquez (MacLean) remembers her beloved daughter, Makenna Liberty Johnson. Makenna, 20, was killed May 7, 2024, while driving to work on State Route 48 when a distracted driver caused a head-on collision.
A 2021 Butler High School graduate, Makenna had earned her associate’s degree in marketing from Sinclair Community College just days before the crash. She worked as a barista at Starbucks and was being mentored at Keller Williams, with dreams of one day joining her mother and sister, Madison Hayman, in their American Family Insurance business. She had a serious boyfriend, Liam Batten, and a future full of possibilities.
“She was going places,” her mother said, fighting back tears.
Determined to honor Makenna’s life and legacy, family friends Corey Artim and Nicole Amrhein have established the Makenna Liberty Johnson Memorial Scholarship through the Vandalia-Butler Foundation. The scholarship aims to keep Makenna’s memory alive, help graduating Butler High School seniors pursue their college dreams and raise awareness about the growing dangers of distracted driving. At the time of the crash, the driver was traveling with an unrestrained dog in the front seat.
The $2,000 scholarship is open to graduating seniors who, like Makenna, participated in color guard, marching band or choir.
“She was always little Miss Vandalia, a true Aviator,” said her sister and best friend. “She was very, very proud of her school.”
Melissa and her two daughters shared a close bond, traveling together to Taylor Swift and Madonna concerts and exploring the islands of Hawaii, among other memorable trips. They want people to remember Makenna, most of all, for her kindness.
“She was larger than life and didn’t know a stranger,” remembered Madison. “She was always so kind to everyone and everything.
Her mother added: “She was a warm, loving, beautiful, empathetic, beautiful creature.”
Artim and Amrhein plan to grow and endow the scholarship fund and welcome contributions from the community. To make an online gift, visit The Dayton Foundation’s donation page, type Vandalia in the “Search for Fund” box, scroll down to the Makenna Liberty Johnson Scholarship link and click on it.
In 2025, the Vandalia-Butler Foundation, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, awarded $65,375 in scholarships to 35 outstanding graduating seniors from Butler High School. Interested students apply in the winter through a process coordinated by the Vandalia-Butler Foundation’s Education Fund Advisory Committee, guidance counselors and The Dayton Foundation. Recipients are honored at Senior Awards Night in the spring.
“We used to call Makenna ‘Hannah Montana’ because she loved to be on stage,” Madison said with a laugh. “She would love that we’ll be on stage this spring presenting this scholarship.”
Beyond serving as a legacy, the scholarship will help young, talented students achieve their dreams of a college education. “To help students who are underprivileged or don’t have as many opportunities as others is wonderful,” Melissa said.
For more information about how to start a scholarship fund, send an email to info@vandalia-butlerfoundation.org or call Michelle Brown, director of scholarship services for The Dayton Foundation, at (937) 225-9965.