The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced finalists for the 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Eleven area high school seniors were selected from among nearly 100 applicants for this year’s scholarship, the highest number of applicants ever received in Monroe County.
Monroe County’s 2017 Lilly Scholarship Finalists include:
- Betsy Beggs, Bloomington High School South
- Ellen Bergan, Edgewood High School
- Nathan Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
- John Garrett, Edgewood High School
- Hannah Kasak-Gliboff, Bloomington High School South
- Ivy Kehoe, Bloomington High School South
- Frances Kincaid, Bloomington High School North
- Alex Newquist, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship
- Naomi Showalter, Bloomington High School North
- Anthony Sparks, Indiana Academy
- Connor Starks, Bloomington High School North
“It’s been incredible to see so many more students in Monroe County apply for the Lilly Scholarship, especially considering the earlier timeline this year.” said President and CEO Tina Peterson.
In previous years, applications in Monroe County were due in December and scholarship recipients were announced in April of the year they graduated from high school. Applications for the 2017 scholarship were due August 31st. The accelerated timeline is the result of a “compelling recommendation” from community foundations who participated in a statewide evaluation of the program conducted by Lilly Endowment in 2015. During the evaluation process, a number of Indiana community foundations suggested that identifying Lilly Endowment Community Scholars earlier in the school year would give recipients more time to decide which college or university to attend. The change affects the program for all Indiana community foundations.
“The applications we received this year for the Lilly Scholarship demonstrate that Monroe County has no shortage of exceptionally talented young people,” added Peterson. The eleven finalists excel in areas of leadership, academics, extracurricular activities and in service to our community and we’re thrilled to recognize their accomplishments.”
The 2017 finalists will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community on Thursday, November 3.
Two of the finalists will be selected to receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana public or private college of their choosing. In addition to the cost of tuition, they will receive a $900 annual stipend for books and other required materials.
Since 1998, the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program has assisted more than 4,000 Indiana high school graduates (including 58 from Monroe County) with more than $300 million in tuition for pursuing baccalaureate degrees at Indiana colleges and universities.
Monroe County’s two 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients will be announced in early December.
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
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 $24 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $27 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.