2008 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients Community Foundation of Boone County

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

9 April 2008

Matthew Singletary

John Padgett

Two Boone County students have been named recipients of full, four-year scholarships as the Community Foundation of Boone County 2008 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Matthew Singletary and John Padgett will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Matthew, son of Jeff and Linda Singletary, is graduating from Covenant Christian School, located at 21st Street on the West side of Indianapolis. Matt is an outstanding student in his graduating class of 97. He has been very involved in school activities such as four years in soccer, three years in track, two years in school plays, and has been a member of math club, pep band, and is currently the project leader on the rocket team. In addition, Matt has obtained his Eagle Scout, been a 10-year 4-H member and volunteers at Homewood Healthcare in Lebanon weekly. He has volunteered with many organizations and activities within his community and beyond. This fall Matthew plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering.

John, son of Kris Padgett and Tom Padgett, is graduating from Western Boone Jr. Sr. High School. John too is a high achiever and is in the top of his class of 145 students. He has been on the baseball team four years and football two years. In both sports, John has led the team as captain. In addition, he has provided leadership as a 4 year member of the Pep Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band. John is a 10 year 4-H member where he has excelled and has been grand champion five times, reserve grand champion once and was awarded poultry showmanship champion. He has volunteered through his church and Key Club. John plans to study aeronautical engineering at Purdue University this fall.

Ten students from Boone County out of fifty-nine applicants were interviewed for these two scholarships. Lucas Dull and John Padgett were interviewed from Western Boone. Kelsey Large was interviewed from Lebanon High. From Zionsville High School, Mia Claretto, Kara Conflenti, Kathryn Deeg, Kate McLaughlin and Vincent Nierste were interviewed. Matthew Singletary and Margaret Spolnik were interviewed from Covenant Christian.

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