Foundation Names 2009 Lilly Scholarship Recipients

Two Posey County students have been named recipients of full-tuition, four-year scholarships as the Posey County Community Foundation 2009 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Brittni Crofts and Madison Weintraut will recieve full tuitioto the Indiana College of their choice and $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.  Holly Heerdink and Sarah McMahon have been named as alternates, and each will receive a $1,500 scholarship from the Posey County Community Foundation. 

Brittni Crofts, daughter of Samuel and Anne Crofts of Wadesville, is a senior at North Posey High School.  She has applied to Butler University with plans to study International Studies.  During her high school career, Brittni has been a member of the P.E.E.R.S. (Peers Educating and Encouraging Relationship Skills) Project, National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Spanish Club, the International Thespian Society, and Girl Scouts.  In addition to her involvement with St. Wendel Church, Brittni has been a volunteer for a children's theatre play.  Brittni has been a member of the soccer and tennis teams.  She has received a Math Award from the University of Evansville, a Presidential and Good Citizenship Award, and Academic Student of the Month Award.

Madison Weintraut

Alternates

Holly Heerdink, daughter of Raymond and Dianna Heerdink of Evansville, is a senior at North Posey High School.  She has applied to Indiana University with plans to study Journalism/Political Science.  During her high school career, Holly was a member of the P.E.E.R.S. (Peers Educating and Encouraging Relationship Skills) Project, National Honor Society, the Spanish Club, and newspaper staff.  During the last four years, Holly was Secretary of the Student Council, Vice President of 4-H, and Deputy Clerk for the House of Representatives at Hoosier Girls' State. She has been involved with cheerleading, spell bowl, the Easter Seals Telethon and the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. She was a member of the track team and soccer team.

Sarah McMahon, daughter of Alphonse and Cheryl McMahon of Mt. Vernon, is a senior at Mt. Vernon High School.  She applied to Indiana University and Purdue University with plans to study Biology/Pre-Medicine.  During her high school career, Sarah has been a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, President of her sophomore class and the School Improvement Team (SIT).  During the last four years, Sarah has been involved in the Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow's Leaders, Hoosier Girls State, Math for Fun Club, Distribution Education Clubs of America, the Key Club, and the Business Professionals of America Club.  She also participated in clean-up after Hurricane Katrina and was named most outstanding student of 2008 by the Health Science Institute.  She has been a member of the soccer, swim and tennis teams.

The Foundation's scholarship committee evaluated 28 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.  A total of 216 scholarships are to be awarded statewide.

Ray McConnell, 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 51 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 Posey County," said McConnell.