GREENFIELD — The Hancock County Community Foundation recently announced the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists for 2016.
The scholarship, founded in 1998, provides four-year college tuition for two Hancock County students each year. They must be in the top 15 percent of their class and plan to pursue a four-year degree at an Indiana college.
Eight finalists, two from each Hancock County high school, are chosen by a third party, said Mary Gibble, Hancock County Community Foundation president. Each student is scored through a weighted application process with their community service efforts topping the criteria.
Nearly 50 high school students applied this year, Gibble said.
Danielle Daugherty, a 2003 Lilly Scholar, said winning the scholarship had a domino effect on her life. Because her tuition was covered, she was able to travel abroad, student teach in England and spend more time volunteering.
“Students receiving this know it will make a difference on their pocketbooks, but their personal and professional lives is where it will make the biggest impact,” Daugherty said.
Recipients will be announced in March. All finalists win a $1,000 scholarship provided by the foundation, Gibble said.
Finalists:
Keelie Baker, New Palestine High School, daughter of Mark and Angela Baker
Future plans: Study nursing at IUPUI, become a pediatric nurse practitioner, then obtain a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Her dream is to work at Riley Hospital for Children
Activities: National Honor Society, Best Buddies, DARE Role Model, Student Council for Athletic Leadership and Education, Spanish Honor Society, Junior Great Books, cheerleading, track and field, homecoming committee
Community Service: Clothe-A-Child, Best Buddies walk, Neighborhoods Against Substance Abuse, Hancock Regional Hospital volunteer, Junior Great Books, Holy Angels volunteer, assistant cheerleading coach, New Pal Pet Rescue, peer tutor
Hannah Edwards, Greenfield-Central High School, daughter of Kenneth and Karen Edwards
Future plans: Study nursing and pre-medicine at Indiana Wesleyan University to become a pediatric hospitalist
Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, Junior State of America, Hoosier Girls State, Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, French Honor Society, Mentor Protege program, color guard
Community service: Hancock Regional Hospital Andis Women’s and Children’s Unit, Neighborhoods Against Substance Abuse Youth Council, Destiny Special Needs Color Guard, ReadUP tutor, Greenfield-Central High School Trick-or-Treat for Riley, Key Club Fighting Hunger Program, Greenfield-Central Holiday Bazaar
Lily Erlewein, Mt. Vernon High School, daughter of Dane and B.J. Erlewein
Future plans: Study actuarial science at Purdue University, then pursue a master’s degree in business administration. She also plans to pursue a fellowship, which requires passing additional actuarial certification exams.
Activities: National Honor Society, Hancock County Junior Leaders, Cool Clovers 4-H Club, Marauder Mentors, VOICE (anti-tobacco club), Green Team, Hancock County Community Foundation Women’s Fund Advisory Committee, Spell Bowl team, cheerleading
Community service: Park Chapel Christian Church Sunday School Ministries assistant, Hancock County 4-H Junior Leaders public relations officer/treasurer, Riley Dance Marathon, Mt. Vernon Education Foundation Walk/Run, Carpenterhouse Global/Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen Christmas giveaway, AfriCAN, Kids Against Hunger, Bring it Back Snack Packs
Madison Lee, Eastern Hancock High School, daughter of Mark and Christina Lee
Future plans: Study psychology and neuroscience at Indiana University with hopes of becoming a pediatric neurologist
Activities: National Honor Society, Royal Leadership Academy, Environmental Club, Logic and Reasoning Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, track and field, basketball, prom committee
Community service: Hancock Regional Hospital volunteer, independent tutoring, Royal Family Kids Camp, Royal Family Kids Club, Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, Elementary Track Club, Partners for Animal Welfare Society dog swim day, elementary girls basketball camp
Aaron Rush, Mt. Vernon High School, son of Eric and D’Lee Rush
Future plans: Study computer science at Purdue University
Activities: National Honor Society, Boy Scouts of America, Mt. Vernon show choir, science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, robotics, cross-country, track and field
Community service: Eagle Scout community service project, Webelos Adventure Camp, Gleaners Back Sack Program
Emily Schrope, Eastern Hancock High School, daughter of Michael and Julie Schrope
Future plans: Study nursing at Butler University to become a neonatal physician’s assistant
Activities: National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hancock County Community Foundation youth board, Brown’s Chapel youth group, Hancock County 4-H, cross-country, track and field, basketball, prom committee, homecoming committee
Community Service: Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, Royal Family Kids Camp, Power Hour Tutoring, Kids Against Hunger, Brown’s Chapel Vacation Bible School, Cross Tower Kids Daycare, elementary track camp
Emma Vowell, Greenfield-Central High School, daughter of Robert and Jane Vowell
Future plans: Study business and marketing at Purdue University
Activities: National Honor Society, student council, Student Leadership Academy, G-C Rage, Cougar Cubbies, Student Services, German Club, tennis
Community Service: Edleweiss Equine-Assisted Therapy Center, Giving for Healthful Living, Rotary-Interact, Families United for Support and Encouragement, Senate page program, Ronald McDonald House
Emily Weber, New Palestine High School, daughter of Christopher and Debra Weber
Future plans: Study speech language pathology at Ball State University
Activities: National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Helping Hands, Club A, Greenfield Area Junior Soccer Board, Best Buddies, office cadet, Park Chapel Christian Church youth group
Community Service: TOPSoccer, Families United for Support and Encouragement adaptive swim, Park Chapel Christian Church, preschool Sunday school, vacation Bible school, church mission trip, Backyard Operation, Rainbow Christian Camp, United Way Stuff the Bus, Park Chapel Christian Church Respite, Homes for Haiti Bridal Gown Fundraiser, Sugar Creek Elementary classroom assistant, WR4Freedom – Human Trafficking Awareness, Teens Read the Way
