The Perry County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Perry County – Maggie Taylor, Perry Central Jr./Sr. High School . Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Scholarship award alternates were also announced. The first alternate is Julia Walsh, Perry Central Jr./ Sr. High School, and Addison Huber; Tell City Jr./ Sr. High School, was named the second alternate. “The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for students,” said Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “The Community Foundation was thoroughly pleased with the quality of the applications submitted and the involvement of the applicants. Perry County is fortunate to be the home of many talented youth.” Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities. Maggie Taylor, 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar said, “I am so honored to be awarded this prestigious scholarship, and I am excited to serve my community in the future!” In determining Perry County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to academic performance, school and community activities, essay, special circumstances, and finalist interview by the LECSP Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients. Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program. The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

Many of our donors have chosen to honor their loved ones, communities, high schools, colleges, and professions by establishing scholarship funds through their local Community Foundations in Daviess, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Counties. These funds support the annual Community Scholarship programs, providing valuable opportunities for students in Southwest Indiana. Thanks to their contributions, applications are being accepted now, with a deadline of Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. "We are excited to once again provide scholarship opportunities to students in our Southwest Indiana region,” says Melinda Waldroup, Chief Program Officer at the Community Foundation Alliance. “By offering these scholarships, we are not only investing in individual students but also in the future of our communities. We encourage all eligible students to apply and take a step towards achieving their educational and career goals." Students may apply for one or more scholarships if they meet the eligibility requirements and selection criteria established by donors. Details about each scholarship and the application are posted on the website at communityfoundationalliance.org/scholarships . Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds, educational goals, and economic statuses. Awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin and are based on a competitive process that may consider academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal aspirations, educational goals, and financial need. The deadline to apply is Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Learn more and apply today!

The 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now available in Perry County through the Perry County Community Foundation. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide and one scholarship in Perry County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Perry County through the Perry County Community Foundation, is open to all Indiana residents who: graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2025 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2025; intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and meet the criteria specific to their local community foundation. Visit https://www.perrycountycf.org/lilly-endowment-community-scholarship-program for complete information regarding Perry County’s application criteria. Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Perry County and apply for this scholarship by visiting https://www.perrycountycf.org/lilly-endowment-community-scholarship-program . Applications must be completed and submitted by August 28, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. to be considered. Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: School and Community Activities and Leadership, Essays, Special Circumstances, Academics, and Interview. Three finalists will be nominated by the Perry County Community Foundation, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December. Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $490 million. More than 5,300 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of LECSP are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state. Perry County Community Foundation is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 28th year in Perry County. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to administer the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Perry County. This scholarship opportunity is truly life-changing for students, said Melinda Waldroup, Chief Program Officer for the Community Foundation Alliance.”

The Perry County Community Foundation will begin accepting online applications for its Community Good Grants Program on Monday, June 10, 2024. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, July 22, 2024. The Community Good Grants program supports a variety of charitable purposes in Perry County. The grant encompasses four different request levels: · Level 1: Requests of $500 or less · Level 2: Requests of $501 – $2,500 · Level 3: Requests of $2,501 – $9,999 · Level 4: Requests of $10,000 or more Charitable organizations can view details related to funding requirements and access the grant application via the Foundation’s website at https://www.perrycountycf.org/community-good-grants-program . Funding requests are reviewed by a committee of community leaders under the local advisory board. They review all grant applications, conduct site visits to potential grantees, and deliberate on which organizations best serve the community’s greatest needs. All organizations submitting grant proposals will be notified of the outcome on or before October 31, 2024. For questions, contact Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact at 812.547.3176 or ealvey@communityfoundationalliance.org or Melinda Waldroup, Chief Program Officer, at 812.429.1191 (ext. 103) or mwaldroup@communityfoundationalliance.org . These grants are made possible by generous donors who established Community Good or unrestricted funds with the Perry County Community Foundation. For more information about starting a fund, please contact Rachael Goldsberry, Regional Director of Development at 812.547.3176 or rgoldsberry@communityfoundationalliance.org.

The Perry County Community Foundation announces community scholarship awards totaling $57,750. Funds established by generous donors made these scholarships to area students possible. In addition to announcing the recipients, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact, Emily Alvey says, “The Perry County Community Foundation expresses gratitude towards our philanthropic fund founders and donors, whose generosity enables the realization of these scholarship awards. Their commitment to the education of our youth profoundly influences the future of every recipient. A dedicated committee of community volunteers carries out the work of selecting deserving individuals for these scholarships. We deeply appreciate their efforts and dedication in this endeavor. The selection process is always challenging due to the exceptional caliber of our Perry County students.” Scholarship awards were announced as follows. The Birch and Ruth Shafer Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Ruth Shafer through her estate to benefit graduating seniors of any Perry County high school. This year’s recipients, receiving $4,500 each, are Lexi Schaefer, Seth Guillaume, and Katie Lynch . Lexi is a senior at Tell City High School and the daughter of Rodney Schaefer and Rachel Schaefer. Following graduation, she plans to attend Indiana State University to pursue a degree in Communications. Seth is a senior at Perry Central High School and the son of Ty and Stacey Guillaume. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a degree in Welding at Vincennes University. Katie is a senior at Perry Central High School and the daughter of Jolie Hughes. Following graduation, she plans to attend Vincennes University Jasper to pursue a degree in Nursing. The Branchville Correctional Facility Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Branchville Correctional Facility in memory of former employees to encourage current employees and their dependents to further their education and to motivate recipients to achieve maximum scholastic and vocational potential. The recipient of this year’s $1,500 award is Vanessa Hubert , a senior at Perry Central High School. Vanessa is the daughter of Kelly Allen and the late Charles Hubert. Following graduation, she plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana to study Theatre Arts. The Buehler Foods Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Buehler Foods to benefit graduating seniors of any Perry County high school demonstrating good academic standing. This year’s $1,000 scholarship recipient is Cyrilla Sommer , a senior at Tell City High School and the daughter of Andy and Sara Sommer. Following graduation, Cyrilla plans to pursue a degree in Finance at Indiana University. The Cecil and Olive Foster Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Olive M. Foster to benefit graduating seniors of any Perry County high school planning to pursue post-secondary education. This year’s $3,000 scholarship recipient is Kari Bryant , a senior at Perry Central High School and the daughter of Berton Bryant and Mindy Bryant. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Marketing at Indiana University. The Charles S. (Blackie) and Rose H. Paulin Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Betty Lou Paulin Gast in memory of her parents to benefit Perry County residents who are considered non-traditional students. This year’s $2,000 scholarship recipient is Ryan Sumner , a 1999 graduate of Tell City High School and the son of Judy Sumner. He is currently in the Graduate Counseling program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University. The Earl and Hazel Etienne Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by their children in memory of their parents. This scholarship was created to benefit graduating seniors of any Perry County high school planning to major in education and pursue a career in education. This year’s $500 scholarship recipient is Kaitlyn Strobel , a senior at Tell City High School and the daughter of Jeff and Crystal Strobel. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Elementary Education at Kentucky Wesleyan. The Edgar and Evelyn Whitcomb Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Edgar and Evelyn Whitcomb to encourage Perry Central High School students to further their education and achieve maximum scholastic potential. This year’s recipient, receiving $2,500, is Katie Lynch . The Gene and Christina Schwindel Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Gene and Christina Schwindel to benefit graduating seniors or graduates of Perry Central High School pursuing post-secondary education. This year’s recipient, receiving $4,000, is Madelyn Kelly , a senior at Perry Central High School and the daughter of Aron and Sarah Kelly. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Nursing at Western Kentucky University. The Harriet and Don Neill “Perry County Values” Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Harriet and Don Neill to help graduating seniors from Perry Central High School further their education. This year’s $2,000 scholarship recipient is Blake Hess , a senior at Perry Central High School and the son of Ryan and Brandi Hess. Following graduation, he plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana to pursue a degree in Computer Science. The J. Matthew Moore Memorial Scholarship is an annual renewable scholarship created in memory of Matthew Moore by his wife, Lucy Goffinet, and his parents, John E. and Ann C. Moore, to help students pursuing advanced education. The scholarship is for graduating seniors of Cannelton High School or Tell City High School pursuing post-secondary education. This year’s recipients, receiving $1,500 each, are Danika Maffia and Shilah McMahan . Danika is a senior at Cannelton High School and the daughter of Andrea Maffia. Following graduation, she plans to attend Ivy Tech Evansville to study Healthcare Specialty. Shilah is a senior at Cannelton High School and the daughter of Aaron and Shana Rogier. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Biology at Owensboro Community and Technical College. The Jamon L. Burchett Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established in memory of Jamon L. Burchett by his parents, Rich and Julie, and his brother, Travis, to honor Jamon’s love for electrical repair. This scholarship is for graduating seniors of any Perry County high school planning to pursue education or training in a vocational field at an accredited institution. The recipient of this year’s award in the amount of $500 is Seth Guillaume . The John Marion Walker Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the John Marion Walker Scholarship Trust to benefit graduating seniors of Tell City High School or Perry Central Junior-Senior High School pursuing post-secondary education at any Indiana institution of higher learning. This year’s $3,000 scholarship recipient is Elizabeth Harpenau , a senior at Perry Central High School and the daughter of Ryan and Amy Harpenau. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Evansville. The John Williams Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created in memory of John Williams by his parents, Jim and Earla Williams, and his brother, Logan Williams to honor John’s love of working on vehicles. This scholarship is for graduating seniors of any Perry County high school planning to pursue education or training at any accredited vocational school. This year’s $4,000 scholarship recipient is Shilah McMahan . The Loren and Bernice Lanman Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Bernice Lanman to benefit graduating seniors from each of the three Perry County high schools who have been enrolled during their entire senior year. This year’s recipients, receiving $500 each, are Nakaia Little, Autumn Zellers, and Erin Holtzman . Nakaia is a senior at Cannelton High School and the daughter of Tally Little. Following graduation, Nakaia plans to attend Indiana State University to pursue a degree in Psychology. Autumn is a senior at Perry Central High School and the daughter of Nick and Jamie Zellers. Following graduation, Autumn plans to pursue a degree in International Business at Indiana University Southeast. Erin is a senior at Tell City High School and the daughter of Lee Ann Holtzman and the late Timothy Holtzman. Following graduation, Erin will be pursuing a degree in Biology at Franklin College. The Mark “Flash” Kleeman Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established in memory of Mark “Flash” Kleeman by his wife, Angie; children, Brandon and Angel; and his extended family to benefit graduating seniors planning to continue their education or training at any accredited trade or vocational school. This year’s $1,000 scholarship recipient is Seth Guillaume . The Mildred Wempe Memorial Scholarship 1 is an annual scholarship created by the Clayton Harris Memorial United Methodist Church in Tobinsport to benefit graduates or graduating seniors of any Perry County high school pursuing education for a career in medicine or healthcare. This year’s $2,000 scholarship recipient is Emma Whalen . Emma is a senior at Tell City High School and the daughter of Jimi Whalen and Bridgett Whalen. Following graduation, she will be attending the University of Southern Indiana to study Biology/Pre-Dental. The Mildred Wempe Memorial Scholarship 2 is an annual scholarship created by TCB Bank to benefit graduates or graduating seniors of any Perry County high school pursuing a career in nursing. Madelyn Kelly is the recipient of this year’s scholarship in the amount of $1,500. The Old National Tell City Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Old National Bancorp to benefit graduating seniors of any Perry County high school pursuing post-secondary education of any kind. This year’s $500 scholarship recipient is Cyrilla Sommer . The Perry County 4-H Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by David and Evelyn Adams to benefit graduating seniors of any Perry County high school who have been a member of 4-H for at least five years. This year’s $1,000 scholarship recipient is Madison Kelly , a senior at Perry Central High School and the daughter of Luke and Emma Kelly. Following graduation, she plans to study Accounting at Indiana University. The Robert E. Boyles Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Beverly C. McGee in memory of her friend to benefit graduating female seniors of Cannelton High School. The recipient of this year’s $500 scholarship is Nakaia Little . The Robert Ress Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the Optimist Club of Tell City, Indiana, to benefit graduating seniors of Tell City High School pursuing post-secondary vocational education or specific career training. The recipient of this year’s $500 scholarship is Kaitlyn Rhodes . Kaitlyn is a senior at Tell City High School and the daughter of Donnie and Sarah Rhodes. Following graduation, she plans to attend The Salon Professional Academy to become an Esthetician. The Rose Hazel Gabbert Paulin and Charles S. (Blackie) Paulin Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Kenton A. and Betty Paulin Gast in memory of Betty’s parents to benefit graduates of any Perry County high school pursuing post-secondary education. This year’s $1,250 scholarship recipient is Erin Holtzman . The Sam K. Oberhausen Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony H. Oberhausen in memory of their son to benefit graduating seniors of Tell City High School pursuing post-secondary education. The recipient of this year’s $1,500 scholarship is Haley Mechels , a senior at Tell City High School and the daughter of Lesly Wilkins. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Nursing at the University of Southern Indiana. The Sam Reed Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Ralph and Rose Reed in honor of their son, Sam, and his remarkable achievements in life. This year’s scholarship recipient in the amount of $1,000 is Nakaia Little . The Stacey Peak Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created to honor Stacey Peak, who was a victim of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. The recipient of this year’s $1,500 scholarship is Alexander Mattingly . Alexander is a senior at Tell City High School and the son of Rosalie Kleeman and the late Ronald Mattingly. Following graduation, Alexander plans to obtain a degree in Finance at Indiana University. The Wendell Werner and Loretta Werner Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Old National Trust to benefit graduating seniors of Tell City High School pursuing post-secondary education. The recipient of this year’s $1,000 scholarship is Cyrilla Sommer . The York Family Scholarship is an annual scholarship created in memory of Max and Billie York and their daughter, Sondra Kaye York, by their family to help students pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. The recipient of this year’s $1,500 scholarship is Meredith Hubert , a senior at Perry Central High School and the daughter of Jason and Sheila Hubert. Following graduation, she will be attending Western Kentucky University to pursue a degree in Elementary and Special Education. The Zachary Kleemann Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Jim and Kathleen Kleemann in memory of their son to benefit graduating seniors of Tell City High School. This year’s $1,000 scholarship recipient is Haley Mechels . The Perry County Community Foundation advisory board would like to thank the parents, family members, teachers, school administrators, coaches, mentors, and everyone who has inspired these students to be the very best they can be. Congratulations to these outstanding students and their families. We wish you the best as you pursue your college degrees and future opportunities.

The Perry County Community Foundation is announcing a free, public workshop featuring Stephen Ralph, consultant/trainer with aha! Process, utilizing the Bridges Out of Poverty Model, on Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.at the Tell City Depot in Tell City, Indiana. This workshop will consist of a comprehensive approach to understanding poverty. Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided. In 2019, the Perry County Community Foundation collected data, hosted community forums, and selected the cycle of poverty as its focus to more effectively utilize its discretionary grant dollars. Bridges Out of Poverty provides concrete tools and strategies for a community to understand, address, and alleviate poverty. This training assists community organizations, social service agencies, employers, and individuals in gaining insight and strategies toward creating economic stability for all. During the workshop, participants will gain an understanding of the dynamics that cause and maintain poverty from individual to systems levels. Registration is required to attend and must be received by Monday, May 20, 2024. Please visit this link to register: bit.ly/bridgesper Bestselling author Ruby K. Payne founded training and publishing company aha! Process in 1996 with the mission to enable individuals, institutions, and communities to stabilize and grow resources for all, particularly those in poverty. aha! Process works to achieve this mission by providing workshops, publications, and consulting services. For questions, please contact Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact with the Perry County Community Foundation at ealvey@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812.547.3176.

The Perry County Community Foundation recently announced Community Good grants totaling $115,144.15 to twenty one organizations serving Perry County. This year’s grant recipients are: · American Red Cross Southwest Indiana Chapter was awarded $3,750 to support the collection of life-saving blood that will supply medical facilities serving Perry County residents. · Buffalo Trace Council-Boy Scouts of America was awarded $2,500 to promote youth education through Scouting's focus on Environmental Science and Career Exploration. · Catholic Charities Tell City was awarded $15,000 to fund emergency food resources distributed through the Perry County Food Pantry Coalition pantries. · Chemo Buddies was awarded $2,600 to provide comfort kits to Perry County cancer patients. · City of Cannelton was awarded $8,100 to restore the Wilbur mausoleum located in Old Cliff Cemetery. · Crisis Connection, Inc. was awarded $4865.69 to provide advocacy support to victims of domestic and sexual violence in Perry County. · Deaconess Hospital Foundation was awarded $3,000 to provide mammography screening, mammography education, and other screening services to underinsured or uninsured women in Perry County. · Glory Bees Preschool was awarded $8,078.46 to add additional classroom staff to the 2024- 2025 school year. · Junior Achievement of West Kentucky, Inc. was awarded $5,000 to for Soft Skills & Financial Literacy programs that will deliver soft skills programs for high school students, who will then hone those new skills through service learning in elementary classrooms. · Junior Achievement of West Kentucky, Inc. was awarded $3,000 for Work Readiness & Financial Empowerment programs for 8th grade students in Perry County to discover future careers, and learn the correlation between educational attainment and future financial stability. · Lincoln Hills Development Corporation was awarded $3,000 for the purchase of heavy-duty evacuation cribs. · Perry Central Community School Corporation was awarded $7,000 to update the school greenhouse to provide food for the school cafeteria, local food banks and community members. · Perry Central Education Foundation was awarded $4,000 to assist with the replacement of the roof and HVAC of the Leopold Conservation Club building so that it can be restored to be used as a community gathering place and resource for charitable organizations, such as the Perry Central Education Foundation, and other nonprofits. · Perry County Council on Aging was awarded $7,500 toward the purchase of a vehicle for the senior center activities program. · Perry County Sheriff’s Office was awarded $7,500 to establish and implement a K9 Unit Program · Shubael Little Pioneer Village Inc. was awarded $9,000 to enhance the visual welcoming into the village. · Tell City Historical Society was awarded $4,500 to develop and digitize keyword searchable archives of the Perry County newspapers in partnership with the Perry County Public Library. · Tell City Jr.-Sr. High School was awarded $2,150 to create an event called “Empty Bowls” to raise awareness and donate to local food pantries. · Tell City Police Department K9 Fund was awarded $7,500 to rebuild the Tell City Police Department K-9 Program. · Tell City Regional Arts Association was awarded $1,600 to continue to provide camps to the community. · The Salvation Army - Indiana Divisional Headquarters was awarded $2,500 to provide immediate financial support to Perry County residents who are unable to meet basic needs. · Young Women LEAD was awarded $3,000 to provide a leadership event for area high school girls focused on leadership, education and personal development. These grants were made possible by generous donors who created community good or field of interest funds with the Perry County Community Foundation. · Arnold Mulzer Fund for the Community Good · Boerste-Efinger-Hayden Fund · Cardinal-Smith-Etienne Fund · For Good, Forever Advisory Board Fund · Friends of Perry County Fund · German American Bancorp Community Fund- Perry · N&N Mulzer Unrestricted Fund · TCB Bank/ Fifth Third Bank Perry County Fund · The Don and Harriet Neill Lasting Difference Fund · Dawn Star, Elbert and Marilyn Ewing Environmental Fund · Goble-Kleeman Fund for Young Children · Joseph L. and Alene M. Dauby Endowment Fund · Mary Jane Malone Endowment Fund · Perry County Arts Council Promoting the Arts Fund · Perry County Children with Disabilities Fund · Perry County Power of Youth Endowment Fund · Sergeant Heather J. Glenn Memorial Fund for Perry County First Responders · Women's Fund of Perry County For more information, please contact Rachael Goldsberry, Regional Director of Development at 812.547.3176 or rgoldsberry@communityfoundationalliance.org.

This year, donors to the Perry County Community Foundation are once again making scholarship awards available through the Foundation’s Community Scholarship Program. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. “Donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by establishing scholarship funds through the Community Foundation,” says Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “We administer those scholarship funds established by individuals, families, and organizations to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program.” Students may apply for one or more scholarships as long as they meet the particular eligibility requirements. Details about each scholarship and the application are posted on the Foundation’s website at perrycountycf.org/scholarships . Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are determined by donors and are posted on the website. Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds, educational goals, and economic statuses. Awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin and are based on a competitive process which may consider academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal aspirations, educational goals, and financial need. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024

The Perry County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Perry County – Alyssa Goffinet of Perry Central Junior-Senior High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “Alyssa’s involvement and dedication to her school and community were apparent in her application and interview. The nominating committee was honored to have the opportunity to meet her and recommend her for this life-changing opportunity,” said Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Perry County Community Foundation.  Alyssa is the daughter of Steven and Fannie Goffinet, of Saint Croix. Following graduation, Alyssa plans to pursue a degree in Secondary Education. In addition to excelling academically, Alyssa has been involved in a variety of school activities including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Educators Rising Club, Future Farmers of America, Art Club, Cross Country, Basketball, and Track & Field. Outside of academics, Alyssa devotes numerous hours to her church including volunteering with the food program, student ministry, and serves as a group leader for Bible Camp. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities. In determining Perry County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar(s) nominees, consideration was given to academic performance, school and community activities and leadership role in activities, two essays, steps the applicant has taken to prepare for his/ her chosen career or educational path, special circumstances, and a finalist interview by the LECSP Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients. “The Community Foundation was thoroughly pleased with the quality of the applications and the involvement of the applicants. Perry County is full of talented youth,” said Alvey. Scholarship award alternates were also announced. Erin Holtzman was named the first alternate and Cyrilla Sommer was named the second alternate. Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $505 million. More than 5,200 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.