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Melody White named 2014 Putnam County Lilly Scholar
Under the pretense of a gathering regarding her recent DAR Good Citizen Award, senior Melody White was summoned to the Greencastle High School library Tuesday afternoon.
What she and parents Richard and Sue instead got was a big surprise.
After Principal Russ Hesler spoke briefly about the DAR and White's selection as one of the top 13 Good Citizen honorees in the state, he introduced Karen Heavin, chairman Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Selection Committee for the Putnam County Community Foundation.
Turning to White, Heavin said she knew little about the DAR award, but that White could be proud in the knowledge that she is the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
Amid the applause and the cries and tears of joy from the White family, the reality began to sink in -- four years of full tuition and fees at the Indiana college or university of the scholar's choice plus a yearly stipend for books and equipment.
"It was a huge surprise," White said of the announcement. "When I walked in (the library) and saw everybody, I thought, 'This seems like a little bit more than the DAR.'
"It was a huge rush of emotions, for sure."
For White, who has been considering both Taylor University in Upland and Cedarville University in Ohio, the choice suddenly became clear.
White will study exercise science and then intends to continue on to earn a master's degree and pursue a career as an occupational therapist.
Taylor had been White's first choice, but she had been weighing the options on both sides. No more weighing is required.
"Now I know for sure that I'm going to Taylor, since it's for an Indiana college," the still overjoyed scholar said.
Gathered in the library with the Whites were Heavin, Community Foundation Community Development Director Dean Gambill, Foundation vice president and selection committee member Todd Lewis, Hesler, Superintendent Dawn Puckett, Assistant Principal Jennifer Simon, English teacher Mike Meyer and Brenda Meyer, Bill Smith and Jennifer Zigler of the guidance department.
Amid the hugs from mom, dad and just about everyone else in the room, Melody thought to call brother Matthew, a 2013 Greencastle graduate and current freshman at Taylor.
Borrowing a mobile phone, she only got his voicemail, but informed big brother that she would officially be joining him at Taylor in the fall.
"I'm pretty sure he'll be excited that we are going to school together," she said.
The hardest thing about the last couple of months has been waiting, White said, having gone through interviews in early February and being announced as a finalist nearly a month ago.
White's fellow finalists were Bennett Hazelgrove and Alex Land of North Putnam and Katie McHugh of South Putnam.
"We just didn't know how it would turn out because there were so many other candidates," White said. "Katie, Alex and Bennett have all done great things at their schools."
During her career at Greencastle High School, White has been involved in a wide-ranging variety of activities. She is a member of the GHS concert and pep bands, best buddies and appeared in the school's production of "The Wizard of Oz."
Also a gifted athlete, White earned four varsity soccer letters, two varsity tennis letters and a varsity basketball letter.
She has received numerous academic recognitions in each of her years at GHS. These honors include being a National Merit Commended Student and the 2013 winner of the Putnam County Good Citizen Award presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Outside of the classroom, White is an active member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and the Putnam County Youth Philanthropy Committee.
A high compliment was given to Melody in the nomination procees when it was said of her that she "shines as a light among her peers. With sheer determination she has made herself a standout academically, athletically and in community service, but in the midst exhibits a sincerity that makes those around her feel valued and included."
White was selected following a review process by the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Selection Committee from the Putnam County Community Foundation. The selection committee was composed of eight voting members, with two members residing within each of the geographical areas served by the four county school corporations.
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is highly competitive. There were 28 applicants for the one scholarship award. The selection process included a blind review for the first three phases, followed by a dinner in which the selection committee met with eight semifinalists. It concluded with individual interviews with four finalists.
The selection criteria is based on scholastic abilities and intellectual pursuits, capacity to lead and motivate fellow students, social commitment and extracurricular involvement, and the ability to articulate career plans that demonstrate motivation and initiative.
Following the personal interviews, the committee submitted its nominee to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for final selection of the recipient. ICI is a non-profit 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. There were 143 scholarships awarded statewide. During the first 16 years of the LECS program more than 3,700 students in Indiana high schools have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships.
The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to administer endowments, award grants, and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County.
The Community Foundation administers over 250 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes. Questions about scholarships may be addressed to Dean Gambill at 653-4978.