COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HOWARD COUNTY ANNOUNCES 2016 LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
March 23, 2016 — KOKOMO, Ind. – Two Howard County students have been named recipients of four-year, full-tuition scholarships as the Community Foundation of Howard County 2016 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.
Anna Ortmann, daughter of DelRoy and Donna Ortmann, and Benjamin Tracy, son of Julie Tracy and Mark Tracy, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
Anna, a Northwestern High School student, is a member of student council, president of National Honor Society, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is vice president of the Thespian Society. She is on the school’s Math and Fine Arts Academic Teams, participates in Rotary Interact Club, is on the Top Tiger Award Committee and is a member of the United Way of Howard County’s Communications Council. Anna has volunteered for a local mission trip doing various work projects and provides after-school tutoring. She is a Sunday school class assistant and is a member of her church’s worship team. Anna’s awards include a Top Five Academic Award, Presidential Academic Award, Most Outstanding Choir Member and Outstanding Art Student.
Anna plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University to study music ministry.
Benjamin, a Kokomo High School student, is president of Boy’s Legion, co-captain of the baseball team, a member of National Honor Society and four-year member of the tennis team, where he is captain. He was a National Merit Scholar semifinalist and a Hoosier Boys State delegate. Benjamin also has received the AP Scholar with Distinction honor.
Benjamin plans to attend Indiana University to study computer science.
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, school, community and work activities, and an interview. There were 54 Howard County students who applied for the scholarship.
“Lilly Endowment is working to strengthen Indiana by offering this scholarship to students in each county in the state,” said Glenn Grundmann, chairman of the Community Foundation of Howard County Scholarship Committee. “The scholarship offers the opportunity for students to excel in their studies without the financial burden that can come with higher education. It also enhances the awareness of the work of community foundations in local communities as they strive to produce a positive and sustainable change in the communities they serve.”
After the Community Foundation of Howard County Scholarship Committee selected the six 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 four finalists with $1,000 scholarships. They include Nathaniel Everett, from Eastern High School, son of Thomas and Monica Everett; Marissa Middleton, from Eastern High School, daughter of Michael and Monica Middleton; Madeline Ryals, from Kokomo High School, daughter of Jeffrey and Carol Ryals; and Brianna Trent, from Western High School, daughter of Lisa Carney and Larry Trent.
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.
