COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HOWARD COUNTY ANNOUNCES 2015 LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

April 1, 2015 —Two Howard County students have been named recipients of four-year, full-tuition scholarships as the Community Foundation of Howard County 2015 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Tyler Emerick, son of Brad and Andrea Emerick, and Miranda Ogle, daughter of Rodney and Jennifer Ogle, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Tyler, a Kokomo High School student, is a member of the TechnoKats FIRST Robotics Team, National Honor Society, Student Council and a former member of the Golf Team. He also is a peer tutor. Tyler provides lawn maintenance and snow removal for elderly neighbors. Other volunteer activities include the United Way's Day of Caring and the 765 Stand Up Tornado Relief Student Task Force. He has earned a gold medal in trumpet for an ISSMA Solo and varsity letters in golf and swimming. 

Tyler plans to attend Purdue University to study computer science.

Miranda, a Kokomo High School student, is a member of Student Council, Girls’ League Council, Director of Sisterhood Activities, National Honor Society, Mayor's Youth Advisory Board and K Club. She volunteers at St. Joseph Hospital and helps with the American Red Cross blood drives at Kokomo High School.  Miranda’s Student Council volunteerism includes the Kokomo Rescue Mission, Kokomo Urban Outreach and Kokomo Housing Authority. She is on the Oakbrook Student Ministries Leadership Team. Miranda was a Hoosier Girls’ State delegate. She was selected All-Academic Conference Team in Volleyball, Physics Student of the Month, and rookie of the year and All Conference Team in softball. Miranda volunteered during the cleanup after the 2013 tornado in Kokomo and designed a t-shirt that was sold at a basketball game to raise money for tornado relief.

Miranda will attend Butler University and plans to become a physician's assistant.

For 18 years 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 57 Howard County students who applied for the scholarship.

"The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship gives students the opportunity to continue their education without the worry of how to pay for college," said Glenn Grundmann, chairman of the Community Foundation of Howard County Scholarship Committee. "We are fortunate to be able to administer this program for Lilly Endowment and to interact with Howard County’s outstanding students. The philosophy of this program supports the Foundation’s mission to help produce a positive change in the communities we serve."

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 Nicole Hampshire from Western High School, daughter of Todd and Diane Hampshire; Alexis Hungate from Northwestern High School, daughter of Cary and Lori Hungate; and Faith Miller from Kokomo High School, daughter of Michael and Peggi Miller.

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.