Lilly finalists announced

The six high school seniors above have qualified for the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2011 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar award. The award pays tuition and fees and provides an $800 a year book stipend to an accredited college in Indiana. From left to right, first row, Brittany Girton, Dakota Watson, second row, Kelsey Searles, Jessica Maginity, and third row, Megan Robinson and Jacob Gould.

Six Putnam County students have been named finalists for a full-tuition scholarship as the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2011 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar (LECS).

In addition, the award will cover all required fees, along with an $800 book stipend per year, for four years to an accredited school in Indiana. Putnam County will have one recipient in 2011. The local finalists are:

* Brittany Girton of Greencastle High School, daughter of Travis Girton and Jennifer Ritchey.

* Jacob Gould of South Putnam High School, son of Timothy and Mary Gould.

* Jessica Maginity of South Putnam High School, daughter of Michael and Melissa Maginity.

* Megan Robinson of North Putnam High School, daughter of Roland and Melissa Robinson.

* Kelsey Searles of South Putnam High School, daughter of Lawrence and Linda Searles.

* Dakota Watson of Greencastle High School, son of Kenneth and Jennifer Watson.

The six seniors were selected as finalists following a review process by the Lilly Selection Committee from the Putnam County Community Foundation. The process included a blind review for the first three phases and concluded with an individual interview with each finalist.

The committee is made up of two voting members from each area school corporation. The review process 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.

The Community Foundation's nomination for the award has been submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipient. ICI is a non-profit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree granting, non-profit, private colleges and universities in the state.

During the first 13 years of the LECS program, 3,345 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 Foundation administers nearly 220 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes. Questions about scholarships can be addressed to Marcus Whited at 653-4978.