Foundation Announces Lilly Scholars
Dave Osmon, president of the Daviess County Community Foundation Board of Trustees, has announced this year’s recipients of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship;
Claudia Padgett and Brian Fitzgerald, both seniors at Washington High School, have been selected to receive the full-tuition, four-year scholarship to the Indiana college of their choice, as well as an $800 stipend per year for required books and equipment.Claudia Padgett is the daughter of Roger and Mary Padgett of Washington. A senior at Washington High School, Claudia has applied to Butler University and Purdue University. Over the last four years, Brittany has been an active participant in her high school and in her community. She has been a member of DECA, Student Council, Business Professionals of America, Beta Club, Musical Theater, Advance Choir, John Robert Powers Acting School, Karaoke Idol, Golf, Mt. Dew Tour and held leadership roles in most of the activities. She was also a class officer for four years. Claudia volunteered for the United Way, Dash for Cash fundraiser, Journey to Bethlehem and was a Girl Scout assistant leader for two years. Claudia has received awards for her athletics and academic accomplishments too numerous to mention. She has held summer positions with country Oaks Golf Course and during the academic year she has worked for her school as Baseball Scorekeeper.Brian Fitzgerald, son of Joseph and Debra Fitzgerald of Washington, is a senior at Washington High School. He has applied to Indiana University with plans to major in International Studies. Over the last four years, Brian has been a member of Deca Club, Business Professionals of America, Student Government, Science Club, Student Council and Academic Bowl. Brian received many honors and awards for his scholastic achievements and his extra-curricular activities. He volunteered for Feed My Sheep, the Canned Food Drive, Red Cross, Day of Caring and Thanksgiving Day meal deliver. During the summer months Brian has worked for Baymont Inn and Suites and mowed lawns. During the school year he works for Baymont Inn and Suites.Christian Duncheon of Barr-Reeve High School, Hillary Holland of Washington Catholic High School, Alicia Scott of North Daviess High School and Caitlin McCain of Washing High School have been named as Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Alternates. As Alternates they will receive a total of $8,000.00 in scholarships awarded as the Daviess County Community Foundation Community Scholarships. In the event that one of the two LECS recipients should decline the award, alternates are moved up one stage at a time to receive the declined awards.
The Daviess County Community Foundation (a fund of the Community Foundation Alliance in Evansville) received 22 applications for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, and the scholarship selection committee spent many, many hours of deliberation. The committee evaluated applicants based on GPA, SAT and ACT scores, involvement in community and school activities, and written essays. “The scholarship committee worked very hard to come to their decisions,” said Jo Arthur, who chairs the committee. “All of the applicants were worthy of this scholarship and it was difficult to select only two. It is unfortunate that we can only award two because there are so many worthy candidates.” After the interview process, the committee chose two finalists whose names were submitted to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipients. ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited, degree-granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.
The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor's degree.
|
Daviess County Community Foundation