2007 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients Community Foundation of Boone County

The Community Foundation of Boone County Announces Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Winners

3 April 2007

Rachel Schluttenhofer

Megan Tait

Two Boone County students have been named recipients of full, four-year scholarships as the Community Foundation of Boone County 2007 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Rachel Schluttenhofer and Megan Tait will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. Rachel, daughter of Michael and Roberta Schluttenhofer, is graduating from Western Boone Jr. Sr. High School. Rachel is first in her graduating class of 124. She has been very involved in FFA and 4-H and has held many leadership positions within both organizations. Many awards have been received through FFA. In addition, Rachel is a member of National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has volunteered with Youth as Resources and youth group activities with St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Rachel has been involved in a research program for the last three summers with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Biology Experience. This fall Rachel will attend Purdue University to study biochemistry.

Megan, daughter of Charles and Jennifer Tait of Lebanon, is graduating from Lebanon High School. Megan too is a high achiever and is third in her senior class of 236 students. She has been a member of the cross country and track teams, where she has provided leadership and received various awards. In addition, Megan has held lead roles in five musical productions and has been a member of the Charisma show choir and Madrigals A cappella choir. She is a 4-H member, tutor and volunteers within her community in various activities. Megan plans to study English education at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana this fall.

Nine students from Boone County out of forty-two applicants were interviewed for these two scholarships. Laura Lawson, Kerri Richardson and Rachel Schluttenhofer were interviewed from Western Boone. Lebanon High School students interviewed were Jennifer Behrens, Chris Shaw and Megan Tait. Seth Einterz, Sarah Heneghan and Ben Scott were interviewed from Zionsville.

To be able to apply for this scholarship, the students had to be in the upper 20% of their senior class after seven semesters. A number other factors were considered such as GPA, curriculum taken, honors received, test scores, extracurricular activities, community and volunteer involvement, need, work experience, references and an essay. Per Mark Ransom, "We enjoyed meeting the finalists who all interviewed exceptionally well." After the Community Foundation of Boone County's scholarship selection committee narrowed the field to two nominees and alternates, the finalists names were submitted to 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 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.

Additional Information and Assistance:

The Community Foundation of Boone County
PO Box 92
Zionsville Indiana 46077
Voice: 317-873-0210 or 765-482-0024
FAX: 317-873-0219