COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HOWARD COUNTY ANNOUNCES 2013 LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

March 27, 2013 —Two Howard County students have been named recipients of four-year, full-tuition scholarships as the Community Foundation of Howard County 2013 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Katie Brown, daughter of Gary and Jennifer Brown, and Ryan Smith, son of Kevin and Lisa Smith, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Katie, a Western High School student, is president of the National Honor Society and W-Club.  She is the swim team captain, yearbook editor, and manager of the softball and soccer teams.  Katie is a member of the bowling team, student council, best buddies, art club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  She also is a freshman mentor.  Katie's awards and honors include Most Dedicated for freshman year swimming, Girl Scout Silver Award, First Year Academic Award and junior year perfect attendance. She plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to study radiation therapy.

Ryan, a Taylor High School student, is president of the Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society.  He is a member of the Robotics Team, Art Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and his church youth group.  Ryan’s activities include volunteering at a Guatemalan orphanage and the Kokomo Rescue Mission.  He also participates in a mentor program, vacation bible school, children’s ministry and is an after school tutor.  Ryan is captain of the varsity soccer team.  He has received the Mental Attitude Award and the Tournament Mental Attitude Award in soccer and second team-conference in 2012.  Ryan was a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership representative and Hoosier Boys State delegate. He earned a perfect attendance award in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and has received awards in math, science and social studies.  In 2013, Ryan was named a DAR Good Citizen. He plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University to study biology/pre-medicine.

This is the 16th year that the Lilly Endowment has funded the Community Scholars program. The Community Foundation of Howard County defined the criteria based on the endowment’s goal to "raise the educational attainment in Indiana." The criteria used in the selection process include academic achievement, financial need, potential for success, preference for first-generation college attendees, and school, community and work activities.  There were 50 Howard County students who applied for the scholarship.  There were 142 scholarships awarded statewide. During the first 15 years of the program, 3,629 students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships.

"Each year the Scholarship Committee is impressed with the quality of the students," said Glenn Grundmann, chairman of the Community Foundation of Howard County Scholarship Committee.  "This process reinforces that students are achieving high academic standards, volunteering in their community and working towards a successful future.  Indiana is fortunate to have a program that recognizes the achievements of the recipients and one that promotes the role of foundations in improving the quality of life in their communities."

After the Community Foundation of Howard County Scholarship Committee selected the five finalists, the 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 Community Foundation of Howard County recognized the accomplishments of the other three finalists with $1,000 scholarships. They include Ronald Hurlocker from Kokomo High School, son of Ronald and Shelli Hurlocker; Samantha Pate from Taylor High School, daughter of Jack and Teresa Pate; and Riley Vyain from Kokomo High School, daughter of Danny and Sally Vyain.

The Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit public charity in March 1991. The Foundation seeks to serve donors and make grants to benefit the citizens of Howard County.  For more information about the Community Foundation, contact Hilda Burns at 765-454-7298 or hilda@cfhoward.org. The Web site www.cfhoward.org contains information about making gifts to endowment funds, scholarships and grantmaking.