HANCOCK COUNTY – You might call them the Elite Eight.
Eight local high school seniors have been selected as finalists for next year’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, which cover the full cost of a four-year college education.
The highly sought-after scholarships go to two lucky Hancock County students each year.
The Community Foundation of Hancock County helps administer the statewide scholarship at the local level, selecting eight finalists from a talented pool of applicants, including two students from each of the local high schools.
According to the foundation, the Lilly Scholarship Program is designed to not only raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana but to increase awareness of the roles foundations play in their communities.
The program also enables scholarship winners to engage with each other as educational, nonprofit and civic leaders, to improve the quality of life in communities throughout the state.
To be eligible within Hancock County, applicants must must be county residents and attend one of the county’s four public high schools, be ranked in the academic top 15% of their graduating class and plan to pursue a baccalaureate course of study to be completed in four years at any accredited Indiana public or private college or university.
Student applications are submitted online and reviewed blindly by third-party professional evaluators from outside the county.
Community service is the primary criteria to qualify.
Below is some background on the eight finalists:
Lexa Campbell
New Palestine High School
Lexa is the daughter of Craig and Heather Campbell of Greenfield. She plans to attend Anderson University and major in pre-medicine.
Lexa said she finds her sense of peace and purpose in serving others, guided by her faith and compassion.
She realized her life’s mission earlier this year when watching her dying grandmother through the window of an intensive care unit. It was then she realized she wanted to be on the other side of that window, fighting for patients and their families. The experience solidified her desire to pursue a career in healthcare.
Lexa got a head start on helping others through her school’s Student Athletic Training program, in which she assists student athletes alongside the school’s athletic trainer. Certified in First Aid and CPR, she is often the first responder when an athlete gets injured, stabilizing them until professional help arrives.
She also volunteers at Hancock Regional Hospital, supporting nurses in the Labor and Delivery Unit. One of her most memorable moments was when she helped a family during an emergency cesarean delivery by watching their young children, allowing the father to be with his wife.
Lexa also manages multiple community outreach initiatives, including social media posts to raise awareness for Kick-It for Pediatric Cancer, supporting the Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation. Her grandfather passed away from cancer, motivating her to contribute to cancer research and support for those affected by the disease. Over the past three years, she’s helped raise more than $4,600 for the cause.
She’s also involved in the Adopt-a-Room program with Hope Center Indy in New Palestine and the NP Giving Trees project, for which she and her team place holiday trees in schools and local businesses to collect gifts and essential items for families in need.
Natalie Hudson
Mt. Vernon High School
Natalie is the daughter of Larry and Tracey Hudson of Greenfield. She plans to attend the University of Indianapolis and major in psychology.
Natalie intends to pursue a career in occupational therapy, a decision driven by witnessing the positive impact an occupational therapist made on her grandfather as he recovered from strokes and surgery.
Her commitment to helping others is also reflected in her involvement in Best Buddies, a program focused on raising awareness and providing support for people with disabilities. Natalie has been a part of this organization for three years. Her dedication to the cause led her to take on leadership roles within the group, serving as secretary in her junior year and currently as president.
Natalie has also coached through Mt. Vernon Youth Cheerleading. During her two years as a coach, she enjoyed guiding them through practices, teaching them stunts and cheers, and watching them grow both as athletes and as individuals.
She also has a strong passion for addressing food insecurity in her community, and hopes to collaborate with local grocery stores and restaurants to repurpose their overstock of nutritious foods, reducing food waste while providing healthy options to those in need. She would also work to provide other essential items like clean clothing and personal hygiene products, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Peter Hummel
Greenfield-Central High School
Peter is the son of Jeff and Karen Hummel of Greenfield. He plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University and major in chemistry or biochemistry with a pre-medical track.
Peter aspires to become an orthopedic surgeon for three main reasons, motivated by the desire to help others and the satisfaction of improving someone’s quality of life.
His passion for medicine is complemented by his extensive volunteer work, particularly in the Hancock Regional Hospital Emergency Department. Over two years, he has assisted medical professionals by supporting patient care, ensuring patient comfort and helping with administrative tasks. He gained valuable experience in patient interaction, hospital operations, and teamwork during his weekly four-hour shifts.
In addition to his medical interests, he has demonstrated leadership and community involvement through the Boy Scouts of America. For his Eagle Scout project, he extended a path at his church, built a bridge using culvert pipes and enhanced the landscaping. Hummel said his 10 years of scouting experience has taught him skills in communication, project management and community service.
Peter’s participation in peer tutoring at his high school provided an opportunity to work with special needs students, deepening his understanding of empathy and patience. He also served on the Athletic Leadership Council, where he supported various school events, assisted with tickets and assisted elementary students in their learning.
He also took on various leadership roles as a member of the Student Council and Interact Club, organizing events like homecoming, Trunk or Treat, and school dances.
As the junior class president he was responsible for organizing prom, securing sponsorships and leading his team in service activities. He also provided feedback on city development plans to the local mayor and city council, sharing his vision for the community’s future growth.
Elise Meyer
Eastern Hancock High School
Elise is the daughter of Erick and Katherine Meyer of Wilkinson. She plans to attend the University of Indianapolis and major in chemistry and/or biochemistry.
Elise plans to become an orthodontic assistant or orthodontist. Inspired by personal experiences with orthodontic treatment that began in third grade, she aims to help others feel confident about their smiles.
An active community servant, Elise has worked with the Hancock County Cemetery Commission to restore and preserve historical cemeteries, repairing old headstones as she learns of their significance in connecting the community to its past.
She’s also volunteered at the Joy Jam conference for educators at her high school as well as the Lisa Muegge Feast of Plenty, which provides Thanksgiving meals and groceries to families in need.
Elise has also volunteered through the Hancock County 4-H Poss-Abilities program, which helps children with varying abilities show livestock at the fair. She has played a significant role in setting up and organizing the event, emphasizing her dedication to inclusivity and creating enriching experiences for all participants.
She has also been involved with the Hancock County Ag Association’s Lemon Shake-up Stand, the Charlottesville Lion’s Club Fish Fry, and the FARM (Fortville Area Resource Mission).
As a longtime member of the Country Kritters 4-H Club, Elise has been actively engaged in various charitable initiatives and events, including supporting the local animal shelter, food pantry and school supply drives.
Her participation in 4-H spans more than a decade, during which she completed numerous projects and volunteered at multiple community events.
Maya Morales
Mt. Vernon High School
Maya is the daughter of Pablo and Kassandra Morales of McCordsville. She plans to attend Indiana University and major in Business Law.
Maya has always had a strong interest in the business field, ultimately guiding her toward the goal of becoming a corporate lawyer. This aspiration was heavily inspired by her uncle, the founder and former CEO of Morales Group, whose ability to support his family and invest in others’ dreams made a lasting impact on her.
She aims to use her legal knowledge to assist individuals and nonprofit organizations with legal matters, allowing them to focus on their innovative ideas.
Since her sophomore year in high school Maya has been active with Y-GIVE, the youth board for the Community Foundation of Hancock County, which has enabled her to work closely with preschool children, learning about grant giving and nonprofits and assist with community events.
Her passion for helping others also took her on two mission trips and a summer in Mazatlán, Mexico, through YWAM (Youth with a Mission). On these trips, Maya contributed to building homes, distributing meals and offering childcare support to families on the YWAM base. Her time in Mexico profoundly shaped her worldview, teaching her the value of gratitude and the importance of giving back to communities in need.
She has been actively involved in her high school’s athletic department, volunteering since her freshman year. Her dedication to supporting student-athletes and contributing to behind-the-scenes work led her to a part-time position within the department, allowing her to grow in her understanding of how an athletic department operates.
Maya has also volunteered with the Mt. Vernon High School Booster Club and is a member of member of the National Honor Society.
Luke Schilling
Eastern Hancock High School
Luke is the son of Eric and Natalie Schilling of Wilkinson. He plans to attend Purdue University and major in Agriculture Systems Management.
Luke plans to pursue a career in the agriculture industry, with hopes to enhance farming efficiency through the improvement of agricultural systems and technology. Growing up in a community deeply connected to agriculture, he developed a passion for the field. Luke envisions a future in which he helps develop more effective machinery and processes, addressing the growing global demand for food.
Beyond his academic aspirations, Luke is actively involved in several community service initiatives. In 2022, he founded Season the Day, Inc., a non-profit organization built upon his small business, Big Doug’s Secret Seasoning. This venture started as a way to create and sell seasoning, with the proceeds going to charitable organizations such as Compassion International and World Vision. Through that work he has been able to donate more than $10,000 to various causes, impacting lives both locally and globally.
Luke is also active with the Eastern Hancock Boys Basketball P.A.S.S. Program, through which he has led efforts to raise funds for local charities by securing donations for every assist made by the basketball team.
He has also actively volunteered at the Hancock County Food Pantry since he was seven years old. Over the years, his role has evolved from distributing food to helping organize and manage inventory.
Luke has been part of the Wilkinson Church of Christ’s Service Week, where he has accumulated more than 120 hours of volunteer work to help improve living conditions for local families through landscaping, painting and general home repair.
Through his involvement with the Hancock County Poss-Abilities program, Luke has shared his passion for agriculture by mentoring special needs individuals in livestock care.
Luke has also held leadership positions in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and has been active with Eastern Hancock Athletics and the Hancock County 4-H program, where he has taken on roles that promote teamwork, leadership, and giving back to the community.
Chase Shinkle
New Palestine High School
Chase is the son of Chris and Sharon Shinkle of New Palestine. He plans to attend Taylor University and major in computer science.
Chase first got involved with robotics and programming nine years ago and eventually completed AP Computer Science as a sophomore. When he exhausted the available courses at his school, he advocated to take Harvard’s CS50 G class.
His love for game development stems from its ability to foster creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. He also envisions using computer science to create technologies like service robots to aid people with disabilities or to develop 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for children, inspired by his grandparents’ health struggles.
He has been volunteering at his church’s preschool Sunday school for eight years, starting when he was in fifth grade. As a leader, he arrives early to set up and leads small groups, guiding the children through Bible stories, activities and games. Chase’s experience includes being a buddy for children with special needs, helping them feel included and supported. He’s developed a deep bond with the kids he’s mentored, learning to meet their unique needs and finding joy in their progress and connection.
He’s been active in Taekwondo for nine years, with seven of those dedicated to teaching. After earning his black belt he became an instructor, helping young students develop confidence and focus. He fondly recalls assisting a Spanish-speaking student, using his basic Spanish to help the child succeed. Leading classes and coaching students of all ages, he took pride in watching them grow in skill and discipline.
Chase extended his passion for robotics by mentoring the Intermediate School robotics team. He volunteers once a week and at competitions, guiding building, coding and problem-solving. He’s also assisted at the school’s summer robotics camp, where he helps younger students develop an interest in STEM.
As part of his church’s youth group leadership team, he’s committed to supporting younger members, much like the older students who once helped him. He provides rides, checks in with them, and ensures they feel included. He also plays an active role in planning events and leading small groups, sharing his experiences and offering guidance.
Music became another way for Chase to serve, especially after his grandmother’s health declined. He regularly visits her nursing home, playing guitar and singing for the residents, bringing joy and comfort to many. His musical talents also led him to join his youth group’s worship team, where he plays piano during services to help others in their spiritual journey.
Chase’s sense of community extends to international service as well. He participated in a mission trip to Costa Rica, where he led a Vacation Bible School, delivered groceries to remote families, and helped with church improvements. This experience deepened his appreciation for the simple things in life and reinforced his desire to serve those in need.
Kendall Schnecker
Greenfield-Central High School
Kendall is the daughter of Robert and Laura Schnecker of Greenfield. She plans to attend Saint Mary’s College and major in speech-language pathology.
Kendall is passionate about becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist, driven by her desire to give others the ability to express themselves. She believes that words are one of the most powerful tools humans have. Growing up surrounded by books and music, she developed a deep appreciation for language and its impact on the world.
The teen is an active volunteer at Brandywine Community Church, where she helps with childcare. Since 2021, she has been creating a positive environment for children. Earlier this year she was selected as Team Leader for the 4-year-old classroom, acting as the main communication link between parents and the Children’s Ministries Pastor.
Kendall also volunteered as a “Buddy” for the Prism Project, a summer camp focused on performing arts for youth with disabilities. Over two summers, she built strong, trusting relationships with her partners, or “Performers,” helping them develop confidence and skills in music, theater and dance.
Kendall has also been an active volunteer with her school’s band program, from organizing fundraising booths to setting up event venues and maintaining equipment.
Believing that true and lasting change begins with the next generation, she is passionate about making a positive impact on children’s lives. She dreams of creating a daycare center with a focus on supporting both children and their families.
She believes in the power of community and the importance of a shared commitment to raising children in a supportive environment. Even if her dream daycare center doesn’t come to fruition, she holds firm in the belief that investing time, talent and resources in the future generation is crucial for making a lasting impact on the world.
