Putnam Lilly Scholarship finalists announced by Community Foundation

Friday, October 12, 2018
Helen Eaglin

Four Putnam County high school seniors have been named as finalists for the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

The prestigious award annually goes to an outstanding graduating high school senior in Putnam County. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholar will be awarded a full-tuition scholarship, including a $900 book stipend per year, for four years to any accredited school in Indiana.

The 2019 finalists are:

Kristy Huang

-- Helen Eaglin of South Putnam High School, daughter of Harry and Erin Eaglin.

-- Kristy Huang of Greencastle High School, daughter of Xin Wu Huang and Xiu Chai Jiang.

-- Jaxon Parmley of Greencastle High School, son of John and Jody Parmley.

Jaxon Parmley

-- Kolten Thorson of North Putnam High School, son of Kevin and Heather Thorson.

The four seniors were selected as finalists following an extensive review process by the Lilly Selection Committee from the Putnam County Community Foundation. The committee is made up of eight voting members, with two residing in each of our four area school districts.

The process included a blind review for the first two phases, followed by a dinner in which the selection committee met with eight semifinalists. It concluded with an individual interview with each of the four finalists.

Kolten Thorson

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 will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc. (ICI) for approval of the recipient. ICI is a non-profit corporation representing 30 regionally accredited degree-granting, non-profit, private colleges and universities in the state.

More than 4,300 Indiana high school students have been awarded a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program was started by the Lilly Endowment in 1998.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to help donors establish endowments, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County. The Foundation has been entrusted with more than 280 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes. For more infomration, visit www.pcfoundation.org or contact the office at 653-4978.

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