Foundation Names Lilly Scholars

Marlene Obert, president of the Gibson County Community Foundation Board of Trustees, has announced that the 2008 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship has been awarded to D.J. Graper and Emily Hirsch. Kayla Pickersgill and Elizabeth Wallis have been named as alternates, and each will receive a $1,500 scholarship from the Community Foundation.

D.J. Graper, son of Donald and Lisa Graper of Fort Branch, is a senior at Gibson Southern High School. He has applied to Purdue University with plans to study agriculture. D.J. is a distinguished member and currently the treasurer of the Future Farmers of America. He is a 10-year member of 4-H, committee chairman of the Gibson Southern Test Plot Committee, and a member of the Soil, Crop and Livestock Evaluation Team. He is a member of the Gibson Southern High School Beta Club and has received the Academic Excellence Award. D.J. is also an active member of the Gibson County Junior Leaders and the Gibson County Tractor Driving Club.

Emily Hirsch, daughter of Mike and Beverly Hirsch of Fort Branch, is a senior at Gibson Southern High School. She has applied to Purdue University with plans to study agriculture. Emily is treasurer of the Sunshine Society and secretary of Future Farmers of America. She is a member of the Student Council and the Beta Club and a freshman mentor. She is also a 10-year member of 4-H, a Dare role model, and an active member of the Holy Cross Youth group. Emily also ran cross-country and track for four years at Gibson Southern.

Alternates

Kayla Pickersgill, daughter of George and Amy Pickersgill of Princeton, is a senior at Princeton Community High School. She has applied to the Ball State University and Indiana University with plans to study chemistry/pre-medicine. Kayla is a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, and the photography club. She is vice president of the senior class and secretary of the Key Club. Kayla has been involved in her church's mission's outreach construction team. She also has plays varsity softball for the Lady Tigers.

Elizabeth Wallis, the daughter of Scott and Julie Wallis of Princeton, is a senior at Princeton Community High School. She has applied to Ball State University and the University of Evansville and plans to study special education. Elizabeth is co-president of the National Honor Society. She has been a member of the Academic Team, Sign Language Club, French Club and the Environmental Club.  She is a peer tutor, a member of her church's youth group and a member of 4-H. In addition, Elizabeth has been involved in drama and choir and is an accomplished equestrian.

The Foundation's scholarship committee evaluated applicants based on academic achievement, involvement in community and school activities, and written essays. After the interview process, the committee submitted its nominees to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) for final review and approval. ICI, a nonprofit organization representing 31 Indiana colleges and universities, oversees statewide administration of 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. The award covers full tuition and up to $800 per year for fees, books, and equipment. A total of 216 scholarships are available statewide.

Leslie Mustard, chair of the scholarship committee, thanked the committee for the tremendous job they did in reviewing and selecting the candidates, noting their difficulty in selecting the recipients and alternates from among the 31 applicants. "They were all bright and deserving students, and we wish we could have provided a full scholarship to each of them. We owe Lilly Endowment a big thank-you for providing scholarships to two outstanding seniors in Gibson County," said Mustard.