The Community Foundation of Switzerland County has announced the two recipients of Switzerland County’s 2005 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships.
This years Switzerland County Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are Mattie Waddle and Amanda Watson.
Mattie Waddle is the daughter of Philip and Sandy Waddle of Bennington. She plans on attending Purdue University this fall to major in pharmacy.
Mattie Waddle has been very active by participating in the Key Club holding various officer positions; is president of the Conservation Club; participates in FFA; and is also a member of the soccer and track teams. She has been a member of the National Honor Society since ninth grade.
Amanda Watson is the daughter of Gary and Ginna Watson of near Vevay. She plans on attending the University of Evansville to major in environmental administration.
Amanda Watson has been involved as a member of the softball and soccer teams while in high school; and she has also served as treasurer of the Conservation Club and Drum Major of the Switzerland County High School Marching Band.
She has volunteered at the nursing home; participated in the Ohio River Sweep; and helped with the Special Olympics. Amanda has been a member of the National Honor Society since ninth grade.
This scholarship provides full tuition for four years of undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree. It also covers all required fees and up to $800 a year for books and equipment as long as the student attends an Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the North Central Association of College and Schools.
“The selection committee reviewed and interviewed eight applicants.” said Community Foundation of Switzerland County director Pam Acton. “The students were evaluated on academics, community involvement, writing ability and an interview.”
After the Community Foundation of Switzerland County’s scholarship committee narrowed the field to three nominees, the names of the finalists were submitted to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipients.
ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state. The Lilly Endowment contracts with ICI to administer the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program.
The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor’s degree. There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.
“Every year I say the same thing, everyone of the students that applied for these scholarships would have been a wonderful choice,” Pam Acton said. “Every year the quality of our students gets better and better. They all excelled in every criteria category. Once again, the selection committee struggled to narrow down this group.”
Each of the Lilly Scholarship Winners will be invited to a reception hosted by Lilly Endowment Inc. in July. They are also required to report the Community Foundation for the four years of their college career and for the next 10 years following graduation from college.
Anyone interested in more information about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship or the Community Foundation, please contact Pam Acton at 427-9160.