The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced Monroe County’s 2018 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. Mr. Aaron Nunes and Ms. Greta Stephenson will each 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.
Aaron Nunes of Bloomington High School South is the son of Clayton and Sunita Nunes. He is vice president of the National Honor Society and member of the Student Council, French Club, School Band, Habitat for Humanity Club, and Solar Racing Team. Nunes has participated in a number of athletic programs, including cross country running, taekwondo and weightlifting. His community activities include Boy Scouts of America, serving as a team leader with Monroe County Youth Council, volunteering at WonderLab and participating in the St. Charles Youth Group.
Through his extracurricular activities, Nunes has traveled overseas to Le Mans, France as part of the Bloomington High School French Exchange Program, to Japan with the Solar Racing Team, and to Uganda on a mission trip with St. Charles Youth Group. He is planning to attend Purdue University next fall.
“I am honored to be chosen as a Lilly Scholar,” said Aaron Nunes. “I would like to thank the Lilly Endowment, my family, friends, teachers, and mentors who have helped me and continue to support me.”
Greta Stephenson of Bloomington High School North is the daughter of Bruce Stephenson and Maria Schmidt. She is a team captain of the Science Olympiad team and recipient of the Butler Science Olympiad Scholarship. She is also a member of the Orchestra, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Leadership Opportunities Through Service. Her community activities include Girl Scouts, volunteering with the Interfaith Winder Shelter and Salvation Army Community Backpack Program, tutoring and working as a child care provider at First United Methodist Church and St. Marks United Methodist Church. Greta plans to attend Indiana University in the fall and major in secondary math education.
“I am honored to receive this scholarship, and it is wonderful to be recognized in the community,” said Stephenson. ” I am very thankful to the Community Foundation and to my family and friends for their endless support and encouragement.”
“I want to congratulate Aaron and Greta on this incredible achievement, and also thank all of Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship Finalists for the time they dedicated to this process,” said Tina Peterson, Community Foundation President and CEO.
“In Monroe County, our Lilly Scholarship Finalists are chosen not just for their academic success, but also for how they give back to their communities,” she added. “Through their deeds and actions, each of these talented young people have exhibited a depth of character and integrity that cannot be accidental. We look forward to following each their journeys and invite them back to seek out careers in Monroe County after they complete their educations.”
Ten area high school seniors were selected as finalists for the scholarship. Evaluation of Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship applications is a two-part blind review process. Applications are first reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school. The scored applications are then submitted to the Community Foundation, and finalists are identified from each school. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, which is made up of members of the community and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviews and scores applications from the finalists. Each finalist is interviewed, and their interview scores are combined with scoring from the written portion of their application. The rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations are then submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc., a nonprofit corporation representing 30 regionally accredited degree-granting colleges and universities in the state.
“The Lilly finalists represent our hope for the future,” said Jessika Hane, chair of the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee. “Meeting each finalist, getting to know them, sharing their aspirations and dreams during the interview process reminds all of us of the great potential of young people. Greta and Aaron are shining examples of the light and leadership these students bring to our community, and to the world.”
Since 1998, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has assisted more than 4,500 Indiana high school graduates with more than $372 million in tuition to pursue baccalaureate degrees at Indiana colleges and universities. The program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has also announced that the eight other 2018 Lilly Scholarship finalists will receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing:
2018 JPMorgan Chase Bank Scholarship Recipients
Mikayla Deckard, Edgewood High School
Hadley Knaus, Bloomington High School South
Ryan Paquette, Bloomington High School North
2018 Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Zoe Berensztein, Bloomington High School South
Caleb Cooper, Lighthouse Christian Academy
Zachary Kovach, Edgewood High School
Mac Rogers, Bloomington High School North
Sage Sherfick, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship
Previous Lilly scholarship recipients from Monroe County include:
2017
Betsy Beggs (BHSS); DePauw University
Frances Kincaid (BHSN); Indiana University
2016
Greer King (BHSN); Indiana University
Brian Emmons (BHSN); Indiana University
2015
Sidrah Din (BHSS); Rose-Hulman
Riley Callahan (Lighthouse Christian Academy); Rose-Hulman
2014
Emma St. John (BHSN); Indiana University
Winston Winkler (BHSN); Indiana University
2013
Hannah Alani (BHSS); Indiana University
Shannon Jager (BHSN); DePauw University
2012
Evelyn Bauman (BHSS); Notre Dame
Alex St. John (BHSN); Indiana University
2011
Maha Elsarrag (BHSN); Indiana University
Lynne Bauman (BHSS); Notre Dame
2010
Bhavin Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
Stephen Zerfas (BHSN); Notre Dame
2009
Miranda Arthur (Edgewood); Butler
Audrey Ernst (Edgewood); University of Indianapolis
2008
Ashley Larason (BHSS); Purdue University
Thomas Weakley (Edgewood); DePauw / Indiana University
2007
Meehan Lenzen (BHSN); Notre Dame
Kristen Miller (BHSS); Indiana University
2006
David Kim (BHSN); Notre Dame
Jenna Beasley (BHSN); Indiana University
2005
Manisha Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
Jesse Pontius (BHSN); Purdue University
2004
Ryan Hodge (Indiana Academy); Rose-Hulman
Isaac (Ike) Dolby (BHSN); Purdue
Jennifer (Laird) Black (BHSS); Butler
Tara Langvardt (Edgewood); DePauw University
Caitlin (Odya) Homenda (Edgewood); Indiana University
Mark Strother (BHSN); Indiana University
2003
Amber (Knowlton) Todd (BHSS); Indiana University
David Courtney (BHSS); Earlham
Jennifer Richardson (BHSN); Indiana University
Robert (Matt) Hawkins (Edgewood); Rose-Hulman
Abram Hess (Indiana Academy); Indiana University
Anand Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
2002
Theodore (Tio) Savich (BHSN); Earlham
Aliese Sarkissian (BHSN); DePauw University
Virginia Chappell (BHSS); Indiana University
Michael Kruszynski (Indiana Academy); Rose-Hulman
James Moynihan (Edgewood); Butler
Andrea (Stalcup) Wallace (Edgewood); University of Evansville
2001
Lindsay Kile (Edgewood); Purdue
Ruthie (Willsey) Sterrett (BHSS); Purdue
Ann Marshall (BHSN); Indiana University
Elizabeth Sloan (BHSN); Indiana University
Reed Carmichael (BHSN); DePauw University
Talialin Fehrenbach (BHSS); Butler
2000
Andrew Krebbs (Edgewood); Indiana University
Michael Goodman (BHSN); Indiana University
Alison O’Malley (Edgewood); Butler
Morgan Volrich Riggs (BHSN); Indiana University
1999
Kathleen Tran (BHSS); Indiana University
Aaron Ray (Edgewood); Indiana University
Amanda Horvath (BHSS); Notre Dame
Nathan Fuller (BHSN); Rose-Hulman
1998
Amber (Martindale) Yount (BHSS); Butler
Rebecca (Strain) Spriggs (Edgewood); University of Evansville
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 $25 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $32 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.