CLINTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
April 6, 2010 —Two Clinton County students have been named recipients of four-year, full-tuition scholarships as the Clinton County Community Foundation 2010 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.
Jessie Fudge, daughter of Jerry and Jackie Fudge, and Courtney Jameson, daughter of om and Cindy Jameson, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
Jessie is involved in a variety of high school activities that include the English Academic Team where she was captain, Social Studies Team where she was captain, Thespians, National Honor Society, Foreign Language Club, Spell Bowl where she won the Perfect Speller Award and was captain, swimming, and concert, marching and pep bands. Her academic, musical and sports abilities have garnered her many awards and recognitions including the Norma Beaver Memorial Award (3 yrs.), Area Super Bowl Champions (3 yrs.), Area Spell Bowl Champions (2 yrs.) and Super Bowl Conference Champions (3 yrs.). Jessie was a state finalist for the Social Studies and English Academic Teams and lettered in band, swimming and academics. She has an altruistic nature and demonstrates this by volunteering her time at the Clinton County Humane Society, Local Heroes, Michigantown UMC Youth Group, Learning to Lead, UMC Administration Committee, 4-H and COACH Kids. Jessie plans to major in creative writing at Ball State University.
Jessie's reaction to winning the scholarship was one of joy and excitement. "It is truly an honor to be awarded such a wonderful scholarship," she said. "As I read the letter, I could only get through the first paragraph and I commenced jumping up and down and screaming. That was probably one of the happiest moments in my life so far, and I did not hold anything back as I danced around the kitchen in joy."
Courtney's interests include a variety of academic, musical, sports and theatrical activities. She participated in the Fortissimo Show Choir, Tri-M where she was president, National Honor Society, school musicals (4 yrs.), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, advanced orchestra, Thespian Club, school plays (2 yrs.), Speech Team and FKOM, a new student mentoring program. Courtney was Clinton County's Jr. Miss for 2010 and has received four gold awards and one silver award in the Indiana State School Music Competitions. Her theatrical skills also earned Courtney two Theater Awards. She volunteers her time as a teacher of music and dance in children’s theater and is a Youth Praise Band director. Other volunteer activities include Treasure Bearers, Church Youth Group and Learning to Lead. Courtney plans to major in music at Anderson University.
Courtney was overwhelmed when she learned that she was selected to receive the Lilly Scholarship. "I was very excited after I read the first two sentences," she said. "I was overwhelmed with the thought of winning the scholarship. "I felt very blessed to be selected for such an honor."
This is the thirteenth year that the Endowment has funded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars program for outstanding students in Indiana. The Clinton County Community Foundation defined the criteria based on the Endowment's stated goal to "raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana." The criteria identified by the Foundation and used in the selection process included: scholastic achievements; school, community and work activities; essay; financial need; and an interview. There were 21 qualified and eligible Clinton County students who applied for the scholarship. A committee of volunteers evaluated the applications and selected nine finalists who were interviewed by the Clinton County Community Foundation board and scholarship committee.
The finalists' names were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc. (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.
Because each student is outstanding, the Foundation recognizes the achievements of the seven finalists with $1,000 one-time, renewable scholarships. These seven finalists have demonstrated both excellent academic achievement and a passion for community service: Tenley Catron, daughter of Joseph and Jean Catron; Madison Donoho, daughter of Meaford and Thelma Donoho; Britny Graves, daughter of Eric and Vicki Graves; Luke McLaughlin, son of Mike and Rhonda McLaughlin; Caroline Moore, daughter of Jeffrey and Angela Moore; Brooke Robinson, daughter of Michael Robinson and Robin Herron; and Collin White, son of Daniel and Dayna White.
"Through this scholarship program, the Lilly Endowment's commitment to raising college attainment levels is significant," said Bill Beard, Chairman of the Clinton County Community Foundation. "The scholarship benefits the students, the local community and Indiana. It helps Indiana's best and brightest students to succeed and encourages them to make their own contributions to improve the quality of life within the state. Our hope is that the award will encourage others in the community to make contributions to support similar efforts."
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. There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.
The Clinton County Community Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization created in 1996. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the community through the accumulation and stewardship of enduring charitable gifts. For details about making a charitable gift or establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit a charitable organization or interest in Clinton County, please contact the Community Foundation at (800) 964-0508 or visit the Web site at www.cfclinton.org.
