South Bend Community School Corporation seniors awarded Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships
Washington High School senior Jennifer Leon and Riley High School senior Cooper VanDriessche were recently awarded the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. The scholarship will cover full tuition, all required fees, and a book stipend for four years to any eligible Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
“Jennifer is an exemplary leader in our Washington High School community,” said Principal Kenard Robinson. “Her determination and spirit is an inspiration to her classmates, teammates, and teachers. I am so pleased that she has been awarded this scholarship, and I am certain that she will use her talents to give back to our community.”
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects scholars 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 awarded by the Community Foundation of Saint Joseph County.
“It came as no surprise that Cooper was among this group of outstanding scholars,” said Riley Principal Shawn Henderson. “His eagerness to make a difference and do his best makes him truly deserving of this scholarship, and we look forward to watching him take the skills and wisdom he’s gained here at Riley out into our world.”
Criteria for selection of Lilly Scholars include academic excellence, leadership, community service, employment history, written essays, personal recommendations, financial need, underrepresentation, and whether the student is the first generation of her/his family to attend college.
Awarded annually to 143 students throughout Indiana, the Lilly Scholarship is administered by the Independent Colleges of Indiana, along with significant participation from community foundations. This year, the Community Foundation of Saint Joseph County received 90 applications from 11 schools, and submitted final nominees to the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, ICI, for the selection of scholarship recipients.