Category Archives: Scholarships

Warrener Named Lilly Endowment Community Scholar

LAGRANGE – Annagail Warrener of Westview Jr. Sr. High School is the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Award for LaGrange County.  

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership.  

Annagail Warrener, left, celebrates the exciting news of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship with her sisters Julian and Merrill, and their mom, Jennifer. In front, her sister Kielynn holds the cell phone, connecting with their dad, Jim, who joined via video chat from his medical residency at the University of Michigan.

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for books and equipment for four years.  

The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a bachelor’s degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.  

Warrener, set to graduate high school with academic honors, plans to pursue a pre-med degree at Taylor University with the goal of becoming a pediatrician. She is the daughter of James and Jennifer Warrener of Shipshewana. 

The medical field runs deep in Warrener’s family. Her father, who is currently in medical residency at the University of Michigan, and her grandfather, a family physician, have been key inspirations in her journey. In her application essay, Warrener reflected on her aspirations: “I want to be the kind of doctor who helps ease people’s fears and always makes my patients feel welcome. Watching my dad, who just finished medical school last year, I’ve seen how the journey is challenging but ultimately worth it. There are many career paths to choose from, but I believe becoming a pediatrician will allow me to make the greatest impact on families.” 

Warrener is actively involved in her school community, participating in Student Council, PLUS, National Honor Society, the School Health Advisory Council, school musicals, and the Dynamic Singsations choir. 

Annagail Warrener receives a surprise announcement naming her the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar for LaGrange County. 

A dedicated runner, Warrener competes on both the varsity cross country and varsity track teams. Running is also a family passion—she, her parents, and her sisters frequently take part in local running competitions. In her application, she shared, “I will always make time to run, whether as part of a team or on my own. 

Warrener is involved in her church community, volunteering in the church nursery, participating in Vacation Bible School, and regularly supporting the efforts of Feed My Starving Children. 

The selection of LaGrange County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees was based on a comprehensive evaluation of academic achievement, demonstrated service to others, leadership skills, commitment and motivation to succeed, employment history, extracurricular activities, essay responses, and two recommendation letters. 

The top five students with the highest application scores were invited to complete an impromptu essay presented by the LaGrange County Community Foundation and participate in a personal interview with the Lilly Scholarship Advisory Committee. After narrowing the field of applicants, the nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final scholarship recipients. 

Finalists for the 2025 award include Arlene Thompson from Lakeland Jr/Sr High School, and Morgan Riegsecker, Gavin Engle, and Grace Heyerly from Westview Jr. Sr. High School. Each finalist will receive the Lambright Leadership Scholarship, a $1,000 renewable scholarship established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright in 2013. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years, providing a total award of $4,000. 

“The Foundation is honored to nominate a LaGrange County student for this prestigious award,” Octavia Yoder, Executive Director of the LaGrange County Community Foundation, stated. “We are grateful Lilly Endowment continues to support future leaders and makes dreams possible for our LaGrange County students.  Selecting a nominee is a difficult process based on many factors. The scholarship committee was impressed by the exceptional students in our community.” 

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling more than $490 million. The LaGrange County Community Foundation has awarded the scholarship to 43 LaGrange County students since the program’s inception.  

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program 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.  

Scholarship program provides $145,250 in support to graduating high school seniors

Through the 2024 Community Scholarship Program at the LaGrange County Community Foundation program, a total of $145,250 in scholarships will be provided to area students. Jennifer McBride, Community Foundation Scholarship Manager, presented the awards in May to students at school ceremonies for Lakeland, Prairie Heights and Westview schools.

The Community Foundation manages more than 50 individual scholarship funds created by individuals, families and businesses to benefit a specific school or field of study. The scholarship funds support a variety of career paths such as education, agriculture, health, science, nursing, and more.   

“Each year we look forward to awarding our Community Scholarships to high school seniors. These scholarships recognize the accomplishments the students have achieved in the last four years,” said Executive Director Octavia Yoder.

“We are grateful to the individuals, families and businesses who created these scholarship funds and have worked alongside the Community Foundation. We aspire to welcome new donors and fund more students as the program continues to grow.  We are extremely appreciative of the community volunteers who take time to help read and evaluate scholarships.  The process is quite an undertaking and is truly a community partnership of donors, volunteers, schools, and Community Foundation staff.  It’s rewarding to help support the educational goals of students in our community,” Yoder added.

Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School scholarship recipients:

  • Allread-Rife Family Scholarship – Abigaile McNamara.
  • Brian Evans Memorial Scholarship – Johanna Guzman.
  • Bruce Brown Memorial Scholarship – Xai Leu.
  • Bulldog Spirit Scholarship – Aiden Tuttle.
  • Chase Scott Memorial Football Scholarship – Jayden Marshall.
  • George O. Witwer Memorial Scholarship – Xai Leu.
  • HOPE Nursing Scholarship – Abigale McNamara.
  • HOPE Nursing Scholarship – Cassidi Parham.
  • J.O. Mory Company Scholarship – Adriana Sturgill.
  • Jean Seagly Crouse Memorial Scholarship – Clara Rasler.
  • Joseph Willard Memorial Scholarship – Adriana Sturgill.
  • Judy-Gage Keenan Scholarship – Cassidi Parham.
  • Lakeland Scholarship – Taylor Jerdon.
  • Lambright Leadership Award – Taylor Jerdon.
  • Lambright Leadership Award – Xai Leu.
  • Mary McGawn Teaching Scholarship – Clara Rasler.
  • Mattea Holton Memorial Scholarship – Cassidi Parham.
  • Melvin and Marjorie Bricker Memorial Scholarship – Taylor Jerdon.
  • Olivia Bay Lemings Memorial Scholarship – Takya Wallace.
  • Paul and Marian Krebs Scholarship – Kylie Fry.
  • Ray and Ruth Culp Memorial Scholarship – Taylor Jerdon.
  • Terry Schmidt Memorial Basketball Scholarship – Nathan Keil.
  • Virgil and Florence Hardin Memorial Scholarship – Abigale McNamara.
  • Waddell Scholarship – Xai Leu.

Prairie Heights High School scholarship recipients:

  • Allread-Rife Family Scholarship – Emma Crites.
  • Allread-Rife Family Scholarship – Kaylyn Allshouse.
  • Beverly Todd Memorial Scholarship – Emma Crites.
  • Craig D. and Ronda S. Neff Memorial Scholarship – Ashley Young.
  • Ellsworth Fanning Memorial Scholarship – Ethan Wolheter.
  • Kevin Lewis Purdue Agriculture Memorial Scholarship – Ethan Wolheter.
  • LaGrange County Farm Bureau Coop Scholarship – Ethan Wolheter.
  • Ned Stump Memorial Scholarship – Ethan Wolheter.
  • Perkins Family Scholarship – Ethan Wolheter.
  • Prairie Heights Band Scholarship – Alyssa Jones.
  • Prairie Heights Scholarship – Emma Crites.
  • Prairie Heights Scholarship – Breonna Glasgo.
  • Prairie Heights Scholarship – Ethan Wolheter.
  • Prairie Heights Scholarship – Olivia Zook.

Westview Jr. Sr. High School scholarship recipients:

  • Farmwald Scholarship – Jace Lang.
  • Holly Petersen Memorial Scholarship – Jace Lang.
  • Ignite Your Future Scholarship – Benton Hershberger.
  • James F. Kalb Memorial Scholarship – Jace Lang.
  • Keith and Arline Davis Memorial Scholarship – Jace Lang.
  • Kerry Wilt-Spradlin Memorial Scholarship – Wade Springer.
  • Lambright Leadership Scholarship – Christien Noward.
  • Lambright Leadership Scholarship – Jace Lang.
  • LIFE Scholarship – Jacob Peruski.
  • Lyle Smith Scholarship – Jacob Peruski.
  • Melvin and Marjorie Bricker Memorial Scholarship – Wade Springer.
  • Morgan Hunter Memorial Scholarship – Kaitlin Nuzum.
  • Mory Family Scholarship – Jacob Peruski.
  • Rheinheimer Scholarship – Hope Bortner.
  • Rheinheimer Scholarship – Jace Lang.
  • Schlemmer Scholarship – Jennifer Osorio–Luna.

Congratulations and best of luck to the class of 2024, from the LaGrange County Community Foundation!

Community Scholarship Program opens applications, offers new awards

LaGrange County Community Foundation is accepting applications to the Community Scholarship Program through February 15, 2024.

The Community Scholarship Program provides 47 unique scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors who are planning to pursue full-time education at a college, university, technical or trade school.

Scholarship opportunities vary according to residency, career fields, current high school attendance, anticipated college enrollment, extracurricular involvement, and academic performance. Students complete a common application and are matched to scholarship opportunities. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $10,000 and may be used for educational expenses.

The Community Foundation partners with families, businesses, and organizations who want to help LaGrange County students succeed in obtaining higher education. New this year are two scholarship opportunities for students pursuing degrees in the field of education.

The Rex Fisher History Scholarship supports a student planning to teach history. A lifelong historian, researcher and student, Rex Fisher was born in LaGrange, and lived in Wisconsin, and Alaska throughout his life. He left LaGrange to attend Ball State and earn a degree in education in 1954. It was there he discovered his love of history and historical research.

Fisher next traveled to the University of Wisconsin and completed his graduate degree. After that, he moved to Alaska to teach U.S. history to high school students and do academic research.

The Rex Fisher History Scholarship supports a LaGrange County high school senior pursuing a degree in education with an emphasis on teaching history. The scholarship is $10,000 per year, renewable up to 3 years with a maximum award of $40,000.

The Jean Seagly Crouse Memorial Scholarship supports a LaGrange County student planning to pursue a degree in education. The scholarship is a one-time award in the amount of $1,000, awarded annually.

Crouse grew up in Topeka, graduating from Topeka High School as valedictorian of the class of 1944. She attended the University of Michigan for two years before getting married in 1946. After raising four children, Crouse completed her education degree at Goshen College in 1963. She was hired by Westview School Corp. and taught fifth grade at Topeka Elementary for 25 years, retiring in 1988. The Jean Seagly Crouse Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship one-time award in the amount of $1,000.  

“We are thrilled to offer these new scholarship opportunities in the field of education,” said LaGrange County Community Foundation Executive Director Octavia Yoder. “They provide options for students in our county to make college more affordable and encourages more students to pursue a path in education.”

Students can apply for the Community Scholarships at LCCF.net/AvailableScholarships. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024, at 4 p.m.

Full List of Scholarship Opportunities

Lilly Scholarship finalists selected

From left are the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists Xai Leu, Jace Lang, Taylor Jerdon, Christien Noward and Braden Rogers.

Five LaGrange County high school seniors have been named finalists for the LaGrange County 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. The prestigious award goes to an outstanding high school senior in LaGrange County.

The finalists include Taylor Jerdon (Lakeland High School), Jace Lang (Westview High School), Xai Leu (Lakeland High School), Christien Noward (Westview High School), and Braden Rogers (Westview High School).

The scholarship is awarded to one LaGrange County graduating senior who demonstrates service and leadership in their community, and a commitment to academic excellence. Among the finalists, one LaGrange County resident will be awarded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, which will pay their full-tuition at any Indiana college or university, plus required fees. The recipient also will receive $900 per year for books and required equipment.

The Community Foundation received applications from all three high schools in LaGrange County. The  Community Foundation’s Lilly Scholarship Advisory Committee reviews and evaluates applications based on academics, community and school activities, work history, leadership and written essays. Identifying information about the student, such as name, school and gender, are removed during the application process. The finalists are then invited to a personal interview with the committee.

All finalists participated in a personal interview with the Foundation’s Lilly Scholarship Advisory Committee on October 17. The results of the interview round are combined with the application round to determine the 2024 nominees who will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana for final selection of the LaGrange County recipient.

Announcement of the recipient will be made in December. The four remaining finalists will each receive the Lambright Leadership Scholarship – a $1,000 award, renewable for up to three years. The Lambright Leadership Scholarship was established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright of Shipshewana in 2013.

The scholarship program is offered each year by the LaGrange County Community Foundation, and other Indiana community foundations across the state to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 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.

Mettert receives 2023 Natalie Kauffman Memorial Nursing Scholarship

LaGrange County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2023 recipient of the Natalie Kauffman Memorial Nursing Scholarship: Olivia Mettert.

The $1,000 scholarship supports college students and non-traditional students pursuing a degree in nursing. The scholarship is open to students who have graduated from a LaGrange County high school or adults currently working in the healthcare field in LaGrange County. Applicants must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited nursing program to be eligible.

Mettert is a 2020 graduate of Prairie Heights High School, and is entering her senior year of nursing school at Purdue University in West Lafayette.  While at home the last two summers on break, she has worked for Parkview Health in their student nursing program.  Most recently, she worked in the in Infusion Clinic at the Packnett Family Cancer Institute on Parkview’s main campus.

In her scholarship application Mettert wrote: “My hope and reasoning is to be a nurse that provides individualized and compassionate care for all individuals regardless of what their situation may be. By providing this compassionate and individualized care for all patients, their care will not only be optimal, but their lives may be changed by the experience that they have had.”

The scholarship honors Natalie Kauffman, a 2010 Lakeland High School graduate.  Kauffman passed away on October 18, 2013, while a junior in the nursing program at IPFW. She demonstrated love, respect, and compassion for others, and carried the belief that people are on earth to help each other. The Kauffman family established the scholarship to promote those ideals, support aspiring nurses, and continue Natalie’s legacy of helping others.  

Lilly Scholar shares wisdom from application process and beyond

Arianna Smith received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in the winter of 2017, during her senior year at Lakeland High School. She recently shared with us some of her experience in applying and what she has been able to accomplish since receiving the Lilly Scholarship.

What did you study in college?

I majored in Computer Science and minored in Law & Society at Purdue University.

How did the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship change your life?

It’s had an unbelievable impact. It gave me the opportunity to attend an amazing college program that I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise. During my time in college, I made great friends & connections and I had really meaningful personal & professional experiences. I learned so much and I wouldn’t have been able to without the support of the scholarship.

Where did you attend college? What were some highlights from your college experience?

I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette. Some highlights include yearly Friendsgiving (at the dining court or friend’s apartments); taking dance and art classes for fun; mentoring and teaching other students as a lecturer and Teaching Assistant; and meeting people from all kinds of backgrounds.

What are you doing today?

I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Computer Science in fall 2022. I now live in Seattle, Washington, where I’m a software engineer at Microsoft. I’m about to have my one-year anniversary at work, and I love my job!

What would you like to tell students who are considering applying for the LECS?

If you’re thinking of it, do it! LECS is an amazing opportunity to grow and experience new things. You can accomplish more than you can imagine with it. LECS also provides you with a community of people that you can look to for support, so if you ever feel unsure, you’ll have that network to lean on.

Arianna Smith grew up in Howe, Ind. She received the LaGrange County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in 2017, and now lives in Seattle, Wash., and works for Microsoft.

When completing the application, what tips would you give to students?

Really think about what you are passionate about and why, and try to communicate that at every stage of the application. Ask your friends, family, teachers, etc. for advice about your application at every stage. It can be intimidating to share with others, but it will be worth it in the end.

How engaged are you in your community today? What do you find important in life?

I’m engaged with my community in Washington through volunteering and mentoring, and I think about my community back home all the time. The support that I received (financial, emotional, mental – all of it!) has allowed me to feel confident in setting and pursuing my goals. I’m incredibly grateful for all of the people in my life who have known and encouraged me, and I feel stronger and more sure of myself when I remember that they believe in me. That community support and encouragement is what I find most important in life, and it’s something that I want to be able to provide to others as well.

Receiving the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship can open doors for students. It’s exciting to see what recipients like Arianna are able to accomplish with the help of the Lilly Scholarship.

Students graduating from a LaGrange County high school with a minimum GPA of 3.75, and plans of attending an Indiana accredited college or university in the fall 2024, are eligible to apply for the Lilly Scholarship.

Specific information about the application requirements are available at Lccf.net/LillyScholarship. Applications are due September 8, 2023.

$90,000 in Community Scholarships awarded

The LaGrange County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Community Scholarship Program, which aims to support the educational aspirations of students in LaGrange County.

Through the program, the Community Foundation awarded $93,250 in community scholarships to 19 graduating seniors. The program includes 45 donor-created scholarship funds, each with their own unique criteria. Funds are created by individuals, families and businesses and are managed by the Community Foundation.

The scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors who are pursuing higher education at an accredited university, college, or trade school. The scholarships support a variety of career paths such as education, agriculture, health, science, nursing, and more. Awards range from $500 to $3,000 per award; several scholarships are provided for four years.

“Each year we look forward to awarding our community scholarships to high school seniors. These scholarships recognize the accomplishments the students have achieved in the last four years,” said Executive Director Octavia Yoder.

“We are grateful to the individuals, families and businesses who created these scholarship funds and have worked alongside the Community Foundation. We aspire to welcome new donors and fund more students as the program continues to grow. We are extremely appreciative of the community volunteers who take time to help read and evaluate scholarships. The process is quite an undertaking and is truly a community partnership of donors, volunteers, schools, and Community Foundation staff. It’s rewarding to help support the educational goals of students in our community,” Yoder added.

Recipients of the 2023 Community Scholarships, listed by schools, are as follows:

Lakeland High School scholarship recipients:

  • Allread-Rife Family Scholarship – Mallory Mynhier
  • Brian Evans Memorial Scholarship – Aurora Yoder
  • Bruce Brown Memorial Scholarship – Ezekiel Wachtman
  • Bulldog Spirit Scholarship – Jeremiah Combs
  • Chase Scott Memorial Football Scholarship – Owen Troyer
  • Holly Petersen Memorial Science Scholarship – Ezekiel Wachtman
  • HOPE Nursing Scholarship – Peyton Hartsough and Alivia Rasler
  • Joseph Willard Memorial Scholarship – Ezekiel Wachtman
  • Judy Gage-Keenan Scholarship – Alivia Rasler
  • Lakeland Scholarship – Ezekiel Wachtman
  • Melvin and Marjorie Bricker Memorial Scholarship – Mallory Mynhier
  • Olivia Bay Lemings Memorial Scholarship – Alivia Rasler
  • Paul and Marian Krebs Memorial Scholarship – Gabrielle Hartman
  • Ray and Ruth Culp Memorial Scholarship – Alivia Rasler
  • Terry Schmidt Memorial Basketball Scholarship – Ezekiel Wachtman
  • Schlemmer Scholarship – Jeremiah Comb
  • Virgil and Florence Hardin Memorial Scholarship – Alivia Rasler
  • Waddell Memorial Scholarship – Mallory Mynhier

Prairie Heights High School scholarship recipients:

  • Amanda Lou Crotts Memorial Scholarship – Abigail Myers
  • Beverly Todd Memorial Scholarship – Conner Keeslar
  • Craig D. and Ronda S. Neff Memorial Scholarship – Caylee James.
  • Ellsworth Fanning Memorial Scholarship – Caylee James
  • Kevin Lewis Purdue Agriculture Memorial Scholarship – Caylee James
  • J.O. Mory Company Scholarship – Alyssa Burger
  • LaGrange County Farm Bureau Co-op Scholarship – Caylee James
  • Ned Stump Memorial Scholarship – Conner Keeslar
  • Melvin and Marjorie Bricker Memorial Scholarship – Phillip Sheets
  • Mory Family Scholarship – Phillip Sheets
  • Perkins Family Scholarship – Trevyn Terry
  • Prairie Heights Student Council Scholarship – Abigail Myers
  • Prairie Heights High School Scholarship – Caylee James, Emma Wylie, Phillip Sheets and Trevyn Terry

Westview High School scholarship recipients:

  • Allread-Rife Family Scholarship – Paige Riegsecker
  • Craig D. and Ronda S. Neff Memorial Scholarship – Skye Growcock
  • Farmwald Scholarship – Ella Yoder
  • James F. Kalb Memorial Scholarship – Ella Yoder
  • Keith and Arline Davis Memorial Scholarship – Ella Yoder
  • Kerry Wilt-Spradlin Memorial Scholarship – Paige Riegsecker
  • LIFE Scholarship – Ella Yoder
  • Lyle Smith Scholarship – Ella Yoder
  • Morgan Hunter Memorial Scholarship – Skye Growcock
  • Rheinheimer Scholarship – Emily Stutzman and Skye Growcock

Congratulations to these young men and women!

Natalie Kauffman Memorial Nursing Scholarship Accepting Applications

The Natalie Kauffman Memorial Nursing Scholarship honors the life and legacy of Natalie Kauffman, a lifetime resident of Wolcottville.

Natalie graduated from Lakeland High School in 2010 and attended the nursing program at IPFW. She had 14 months left in her education when she passed away on October 18, 2013.

Natalie demonstrated love, respect, and compassion for others, and carried the belief that people are on earth to help each other. The Kauffman family established the scholarship to promote those ideals and support aspiring nurses and continue Natalie’s legacy of helping others.

This is a $1,000 scholarship that supports college students and non-traditional students pursuing a degree in nursing. And is available to students who have graduated from a LaGrange County high school or adults currently working in the healthcare field in LaGrange County.

This is a great opportunity to get some extra financial help. Be sure to share this information with someone who would have the above qualifications and would be able to use this scholarship money for their degree.

Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2023.

GO HERE to find out more!

Application deadline approaching for Community Scholarships

Graduating LaGrange County high school seniors who are planning to apply for a Community Scholarship offered through the LaGrange County Community Foundation have until February 15, 2023 at 5 p.m. to submit their applications.  

The Foundation manages more than 45 community scholarship funds. Scholarship opportunities vary according to residency, career fields, current high school attendance, anticipated college enrollment, extracurricular involvement, and academic performance.

Scholarships are available for students who are planning to pursue a full-time education at a college, university, technical or trade school. Students can apply online at LCCF.net/availablescholarships

Applicants should read the criteria carefully, as each scholarship is unique. Awards range from $500 to $3,000 per scholarship and may be used for educational expenses.

A full list of scholarships, criteria, and their award amounts is available online.

Questions about a scholarship opportunity? Contact Scholarship Manager Laurie Sherck at lsherck@lccf.net or call 260-463-4363.

Kamryn Miller of Westview Jr. Sr. High School Named 2023 Lilly Scholar

Kamryn Miller of Westview Jr. Sr. High School was suprised on Dec. 5, 2022, with the announcement that she was the 2023 Lilly Endowment Scholar.

Kamryn demonstrates many of the qualities we seek in a future leader motivated, hard-working and engaged in her school and community. The selection committee was impressed by her service to her community and passion for her career goals.

Octavia Yoder, executive director of the LaGrange County Community Foundation

Kamryn plans to attend Bethel College and pursue a career as a mechanical engineer. She is the daughter of Brian and Brooke Miller of LaGrange.

This year 34 applications competed for the Lilly Endowment Scholarship. Five students were invited to the finalist round for a personal interview. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to the statewide administration of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program, Independent Colleges of Indiana, for the selection of scholarship recipients.

Finalists included Manisha Ramachandran of Lakeland High School; Ella Clark, Ethan Hibbs and Paige Riegsecker, all of Westview Jr.- Sr. High School. Each of the finalists will receive a $1,000 four-year renewable scholarship from the Lambright Leadership Scholarship Fund established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright in 2013.  

The Foundation is honored to nominate a LaGrange County student for this prestigious award. We are grateful Lilly Endowment continues to support future leaders and makes dreams possible for our young students.  Selecting a nominee is a difficult process based on many factors. The committee is impressed by the exceptional scholars in our community.

Octavia Yoder, executive director of LaGrange County Community Foundation