CARROLL COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2014 LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

March 26, 2014 -- One Carroll County student has been named a recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship as the Carroll County Community Foundation 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

Bryer Houston, son of Jarett and Jennifer Houston, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of his choice and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment.

Bryer, a Delphi Community High School student, participates on the varsity football, track and wrestling teams. He is president of the National Honor Society and an elder for the Students for Progress. Bryer's other activities include the school newspaper, S.A.D.D., HOBY Indiana, Every 15 Minutes and Varsity D. His volunteer activities include the church clothes closet, Christmas baskets and bikes, senior lunches, cleaning community churches and Toys for Tots. 

Bryer's awards and honors include 2013 Colts Academic All-State, 2013 Football Academic All-State, 2013 Wrestling Academic All-State, English Bradshaw Award, All-Hoosier Conference Football and IASP Academic All-Stars Football. 

He plans to attend Purdue University to study engineering.

This is the seventeenth year that the Lilly Endowment has funded the Community Scholars program. The Carroll County Community Foundation defined the criteria based on the endowment’s goal to "raise the educational attainment in Indiana." The selection criteria identified by the Foundation included academic achievement; school, community and work activities; potential for success; and financial need. A committee of volunteers evaluated the applications and selected the four finalists who were interviewed by the Carroll County Community Foundation board. There were 16 Carroll County students who applied for the scholarship.

The finalists'names were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) for the selection of recipients. ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.

The Foundation recognized the achievements of the three finalists with $1,000 scholarships. They are Whitley Lehr from Delphi Community High School, daughter of Darin and Tana Lehr; Brett Miller from Carroll High School, son of Chris and Rachel Miller; and Bransen Shidler from Delphi High School, son of William and Jean Shidler. 

"Education is vital to the development of our youth and we are fortunate to have Lilly Endowment's commitment to increasing educational attainment through this program," said Dr. Greg Norman, chairman of the Carroll County Community Foundation Services Committee. "Carroll County students are outstanding and this is an excellent way to recognize their academic ability and contributions to the community. The program also highlights the role of community foundations and how they help to produce a positive change in the communities they serve."

The Carroll County Community Foundation was established in 1997 as a not-for-profit charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of local citizens.  Its purpose is to serve the interests of donors, to make grants and to act as a catalyst around issues of community importance in Carroll County.  For details about making a charitable gift or establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit a charitable organization or interest in Carroll County, contact the Carroll County Community Foundation.