LAGRANGE, IN – The LaGrange County Community Foundation will award a total of $268,000 in scholarships this year through their Community Scholarship Program, helping local students pursue higher education and career training opportunities.
Scholarship awards were presented in May to graduating seniors during school ceremonies for Lakeland, Prairie Heights and Westview schools.
The Community Foundation manages more than 50 scholarship funds established by individuals, families and businesses to support students from specific schools or those pursuing specific fields of study. These funds assist students preparing for careers in education, agriculture, healthcare, science, engineering, skilled trades, and many other professions.
Individual awards range from $500 to $40,000, with several scholarships renewable for up to four years.
“Spring is an especially busy and exciting season for families of graduating seniors, and it is incredibly rewarding to celebrate their achievements as they prepare for the next season of their educational journey,” said Beth Retterbush, Scholarship Manager. “Scholarships provide encouragement and help alleviate some of the financial burden that often comes with continuing education.”
“These opportunities are made possible through the generosity of our donors, who continue to invest in the future of our community. We are also deeply grateful for the numerous volunteers who dedicate their time to carefully evaluate applications and for the partnership of our local schools and guidance departments, whose support helps connect students with the best opportunities to pursue their dreams,” Retterbush added.
Recipients of the 2026 Community Scholarships, listed by school, are as follows:
Lakeland Jr/Sr High School:
- Alexis Gyovai – Hope Nursing Scholarship; Huggins Family Scholarship
- Alivia Owens – Ray & Ruth Culp Memorial Scholarship
- Dulce Canedo – Olivia Bay Lemings Memorial Scholarship
- Kaianne Miller – Bulldog Spirit Scholarship
- Karlee Demoss – Brian J. Evans Memorial Scholarship
- Keegan Merrifield – Chase E. Scott Memorial Football Scholarship; Terry Schmidt Memorial Basketball Scholarship
- Kennadee Kerns – Mattea Hope Holton Memorial Scholarship
- Lana Vankoevering – Craig D. Neff & Ronda S. Memorial Scholarship; Ellsworth Fanning Memorial Scholarship*; Holly Petersen Memorial Science Scholarship
- Levi Cook – Matthew Terry Memorial Scholarship; Mory Family Scholarship
- Lydia Jacobson– Bruce Brown Memorial Scholarship; Lakeland Scholarship; Lambright Leadership Scholarship*; LIFE Scholarship; Waddell Scholarship*
- Mischa Dominguez – Paul & Marian Krebs Memorial Scholarship*
Northridge High School:
- Braedan Crawford – Mory Family Scholarship
Prairie Heights High School:
- Ava Kidd – Partners In Education Scholarship; Perkins Scholarship; Prairie Heights Scholarship
- Elizabeth Wolheter – Prairie Heights Scholarship
- Maddison Certain – Prairie Heights Scholarship
- Nevaeh Orr – Ignite Your Future Scholarship*; Prairie Heights Scholarship
- Peyton Gibson – Prairie Heights Scholarship
Westview Jr-Sr High School:
- Bentley Ryall – J.O. Mory Family Scholarship; Joseph J. Willard Memorial Scholarship; Lambright Leadership Scholarship*; Lyle Smith Scholarship; Mike Farmwald Scholarship*; Melvin & Marjorie Bricker Memorial Scholarship
- Breann Cory – Allread-Rife Family Scholarship; Jean Seagly Crouse Memorial Scholarship
- Brett Springer – Kerry Wilt-Spradlin Memorial Scholarship; Rheinheimer Scholarship*
- Briana Kaufman – Allread-Rife Family Scholarship; Keith and Arline Davis Memorial Scholarship; Lambright Leadership Scholarship*; Mike Farmwald Scholarship*
- Brina Williams – Eldon Hostetler Family Scholarship*; GO Shine Like Gwen Memorial Scholarship
- Janissa Lehman – LaGrange County Farm Bureau Co-Op Scholarship
- Jordynn Wasson – Morgan Hunter Memorial Scholarship
- Kaden Grau – Ignite Your Future Scholarship*; James F. Kalb Memorial Scholarship
- Madison Grossman – Rheinheimer Scholarship*
- Miley Mast – Ned Stump Memorial Scholarship; Schlemmer Scholarship
- Myra Miller – Lambright Leadership Scholarship*
- Taylor Bryan – Virgil & Florence Hardin Memorial
* denotes renewable scholarship