The Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County is proud to announce the recipients of Monroe County’s 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships – Sophia Craiutu and Tamanah Fazel.
Including Monroe County’s two scholarship recipients, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the required books and equipment costs for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The program is administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.
Sophia Craiutu is a Bloomington High School North (BHSN) senior. Her parents are Aurelian Craiutu and Christina Craiutu.
At Bloomington North, Sophia is Cougars for Change’s co-president, Bridge USA president, and co-publicist with the Student Council. Sophia’s other school activities have included Cougar Leaders, United Nations (School SDGs), and Letters for Rose.
Outside of school, Sophia has been a competitive figure skater for over 8 years and is a lead coach at Frank Southern Ice Arena. She has also been actively involved with the Monroe County Youth Advisory Council, Bloomington’s NextGen Advocacy Program, the Bloomington chapter of the National Organization for Women, Braver Angles, the American Cancer Society Action Network, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Sophia is also an Institute for Youth in Policy Fellow and a Civics Unplugged Fellow.
Sophia’s interest in public policy, current events, and international issues led her to co-found Global Learners. Through this organization, high school students work with K-8th grade students to get them interested in current events, news, global issues, politics, and policy through approachable lessons and hands-on activities.
The idea for Global Learners came to Sophia after spending summers in Romania with her family, where she realized that her U.S. elementary education system had not included much focus on international news and events.
“I thought of Romania and Bloomington as two separate worlds, through which no apparent efforts could be made to bring connection,” said Sophia. “I found power in my age, realizing that it didn’t matter that I was young– I could bridge my two worlds and provide younger students with the opportunity to learn about what was happening there. I began my organization, Global Learners, to connect Bloomington and Fundatiça, but it soon expanded and ended up connecting communities far beyond mine as well. It brought me a sense of connection. I became a bridge builder.”
“I cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity from the Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment,” added Sophia. “I aim to pursue an education centered around advocating for those around me and promoting equitable policy — this scholarship will make my journey that much more impactful.”
Tamanah Fazel is a Bloomington High School South (BHSS) senior. Tamanah’s parents are Solaiman Fazel and Megan Fazel.
At Bloomington South, Tamanah is president of DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) and BPA (Business Professionals of America) and has led fundraising activities for the Women Empowerment Club, Dance Marathon, and Asian Culture Club. Tamanah’s other school activities have included Diversity Club, Student Council, Debate Club, Students Advocating for a Greener Environment, and Girls Soccer.
Outside of school, Tamanah has studied Taekwondo and piano for over 10 years, mentoring and instructing younger students in both, and volunteered at WonderLab and Indiana University’s Science Fest.
In 2021, following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, Tamanah had the opportunity to meet, comfort, and serve as a translator to evacuees relocated to Indiana’s Camp Atterbury.
“The young women I met shared their difficult journeys to the United States,” said Tamanah. “They endured a lot to escape the Taliban suppression and restrictions.”
This experience inspired Tamanah to study finance and start her own nonprofit to help women become independent through financial literacy and education.
“I hope to play a part in a future where women can be the masters of their destinies and have access to education and employment. My experiences since 2021 have not only reshaped my perspective but also strengthened my resolve to drive change in the realm of women’s rights and economic independence.”
“I’m incredibly thankful for my family, friends, and teachers for the endless support throughout the years,” added Tamanah. “I would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Lilly Endowment and Community Foundation for this amazing opportunity. I’m so grateful and honored.”
“Sophia and Tamanah are shining examples of the talented and compassionate young leaders emerging from Monroe County and the Indiana Uplands region,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Their achievements, determination, and drive are a testament to the potential of young people everywhere. We proudly welcome them to the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars network and look forward to following their successes as they embark on their academic journeys.”
The Community Foundation has also announced that Monroe County’s eight other 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists will each receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing. Congratulations to Monroe County’s 2025 JP Morgan Chase Bank and Community Foundation Scholarship recipients:
- Gabrielle Buckley, Edgewood High School
- Zoe Gray, Bloomington High School South
- Isha Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
- Koel Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
- Gavin Kocher, Bloomington High School North
- Wren Millick, Edgewood High School
- MaKenzie Rayles, Bloomington High School South
- Trinity Vuyyuri, Lighthouse Christian Academy
“This year’s finalists for Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarships have all demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, and community service,” said Peterson. “Although we can only select two Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships for Monroe County, we are proud to award each of these deserving students with a Community Foundation scholarship to support their continued academic pursuits.’”
Evaluation Process for Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships:
Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients were selected from among 110 applications submitted by students from six of the ten high schools that serve Monroe County students. Eligible schools include The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Covenant Christian School, Bloomington Graduation School, Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Edgewood High School, Harmony School, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and Seven Oaks Classical School.
CFBMC’s Board of Directors establishes the criteria and selection process for selecting Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. A student who demonstrates notable abilities, leadership skills, civic potential through community service, exemplary school citizenship, and outstanding academic performance are considered for this scholarship opportunity.
High school seniors submit scholarship applications between July and August. Applications are blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify semifinalists. The size of each high school’s senior class size determines the number of semifinalists identified.
Next, semifinalists submit additional content and references. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, comprised of community members and a former Monroe County Lilly Scholar, blindly reviews and scores applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. Each finalist is interviewed in October, and their interview scores are combined with scoring from the written applications.
The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations, are then submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County prior to the formal announcement in December.
Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $490 million. More than 5,300 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.
The primary purposes of LECSP are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
The LECS program has helped launch successful careers in fields such as medicine, education, engineering, and journalism. Many Lilly Scholars have remained in the local community and are active in the Lilly Scholars Network, connecting them with resources and opportunities for leadership, civic engagement, and community involvement.
For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit https://www.cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/ or contact Marcus Whited, Program Director, at 812-333-9016 or [email protected].
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $50 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $45 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.