Hauser senior chosen for Lilly Endowment scholarship

Hauser Jr-Sr High School senior Riley Clark is a recipient of the 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Bartholomew County.

The scholarship winners were announced Tuesday by Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

Clark, the daughter of Shannon and John Clark, has been active in American Legion Auxiliary Hoosier Girls State 2018 (delegate); Columbus Symphony Orchestra; Hauser Concert Band (woodwind section leader); Hauser Jazz Band (saxophone section leader); Hauser Pep/Marching Band (woodwind section leader); Hauser Student Council (class officer, treasurer); National Honor Society; Cadet Teaching; and is a peer mentor. Clark plans to pursue a musical performance (flute) major.

The Lilly Endowment scholarships are administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) and locally by Heritage Fund. The program is in its 22st season of awarding scholarships to Indiana students to pursue four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis that lead to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited public or private nonprofit college or university in Indiana. Scholarship recipients will receive full tuition for four years to the Indiana college of their choice and a $900 annual stipend for required books and equipment. 

Also chosen this year was Columbus Signature Academy – New Tech High School senior Baily Tillett. Tillett, daughter of Ashleigh Shaw and the late James Tillett, has been active in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS, Community Service Award); Student Voice (student representative); Student Ambassadors; Youth Leadership Bartholomew County; National Honor Society; Alpha Rho Tau Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; and is a student intern at Cummins. Tillett plans to pursue a pre-medicine major.

Heritage Fund received 82 applications for this year’s scholarships. Ten students were chosen for interviews by the Selection Committee. Finalists are: Amanda Pottorff, Abigail Martin, Kamebry Wagner, and Pattsie Waltz from Columbus East High School; Isabella Liliac, Hannah Garrity and Elias Heichelbech from Columbus North High School; and Vanessa Villalobos from Columbus Signature Academy – New Tech.

Scholarship applicants were evaluated on academic performance; scholastic activities, community involvement and employment; leadership; financial need; responses to short answer questions and a 450-word essay; and two recommendations.

Since the scholarship program began, 47 Bartholomew County students have been named Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, including Tillett and Clark. The endowment has awarded more than $3 million collectively to these scholars.