Community Foundation names finalists for 2010 Lilly Endowment Scholarship

For Release:  3/26/2010

The finalists for the 2010 Lilly Endowment Scholarship administered by the Community Foundation of Wabash County represent four area high schools. The seven finalists were chosen from 24 eligible applicants. The two students selected as Lilly Scholars will receive four years of full tuition to the Indiana colleges they choose and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

The Foundation’s scholarship committee, which consists of volunteers from the community, chose the finalists based on academic performance, activities/work experience, community service, leadership ability, essays and references.  All of the finalists also completed a videotaped interview.

Foundation Assistant Director Shelly Leifer says each of the applicants deserves recognition for their accomplishments and the contributions they have made to their schools and the community.“Each year I am reminded of how amazing our County youth are as we review their scholarship applications,” says Leifer, “I applaud our schools, teachers and parents who have nurtured not only these outstanding students, but all of our County students. These are our future leaders, and that is a good thing.” 

The seven finalists for the Lilly Endowment Scholarship are (in alphabetical order): Alysia Adams, Southwood High School (SHS); Tara Gnagy, Manchester High School (MHS): Cory Metzger, SHS; Ethan Powell, Wabash High School (WHS); Ryan Richman, WHS; Heather Slee WHS; and Marissa Stoffel, Northfield Junior/Senior High School (NHS). The following information is taken from the applications they submitted.

Alysia Adams says “Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher…because I absolutely love helping people.” The Wabash resident has helped several teams and organizations to be successful during her high school career. She has been a member of the SHS cheerleading squad since 2006 and served as captain for the past two years. She gained additional leadership training as a member of MSD Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee, SHS Senior Class Cabinet, Drama Club and 4-H. She is a varsity tennis player and is active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Peers Educating Peers (PEP) and her church children’s program.

Adam’s high academic achievements have earned her a place as one of the top students in her class and in the National Honor Society.  She plans to continue her education at Indiana Wesleyan.

Tara Gnagy describes herself as someone who is creative, hard working, attentive and focused. Those attributes fit a person who is an accomplished athlete, community volunteer and student. Gnagy is a National Honor Society member and has received all-conference and scholar athlete awards as a volleyball, basketball and tennis player. She has worked as a volunteer rebuilding The Firehouse, wrapping gifts for Project Elf in Wabash, working in a local soup kitchen and assisting with church activities. She also participates in artistic endeavors such as musical theater, choir and Art Club, for which she has served as activities director and president. In 2007, she was honored as an Excel Award Winner for an essay she submitted.

“Winning the Excel Award for writing was an accomplishment I never imagined I could achieve. To put so much effort into writing a short story and then be rewarded for my endeavor was unbelievable…Until then, I would have never picked professional writing as my major. Now I know that it’s an area of study that I will not only enjoy but perhaps have some success in.”

Cory Metzger plans to attend Purdue University where he will major in accounting with a minor in Ag Economy. He has already begun to share his accounting acumen as the chairman of the Crossroads Bank Junior Board of Directors, which conducted a financial literacy class for high school seniors. He says he hopes one day to return to southern Wabash County.“As an accountant, I hope I can assist Wabash County in better managing its funds and providing a more financially healthy future for all of its citizens,” says Metzger.

Metzger’s skills extend far beyond accounting. His awards include National Land Judging Contest Northeast Region Team Champion along with All-Conference honors in football and golf. Besides being an exemplary student, his activities and leadership opportunities at SHS include Future Farmers of America, PEP, National Honor Society, Student Congress and Senior Class Cabinet. A 4-H member for 10 years, Metzger also participated in choir and drama club.

When asked how he might use his education to improve the quality of life in Indiana, Ethan Powell said, “As an engineer…I could possibly create a new product or improve an existing one that could make the lives of Americans in Indiana easier.”

Powell already has begun contributing to his community through his volunteer work with younger students as an Athletic Council Ambassador. His other service-oriented activities include Key Club membership and leadership (treasurer and president), youth group activities, as well as volunteering for Special Olympics, local blood drives, food collection and Relay for life.The senior class president has been in National Honor Society for three years and has been a four-year scholar athlete representing WHS in baseball, basketball and tennis.

Ryan Richman will graduate from WHS this spring with an impressive list of academic accomplishments and leadership experience. Richman is in his fourth year in Student Council; serving as class treasurer and student body president. He has been active in the National Honor Society, Drama Club, Academic Super Bowl, newspaper and yearbook. The tennis, basketball and golf teams have all benefited from his participation. In addition to school-related activities, Richman has spent time volunteering for Project Elf and Mississinewa 1812. His school work, athletic pursuits and volunteer activities are proof of the high standards he sets for himself.

“His pursuit of excellence…is contagious to anyone associated with him,” says a reference, “Ryan is a leader. He constantly challenges both himself and his colleagues.”

Richman plans to attend Trine University and major in Finance.

Being selected to represent WHS at Hoosier Girls State was an achievement Heather Slee will remember from her high school career because she learned a lot about the government and the voting system and made a lot of new friends. Slee plans to capitalize on her openness to new ideas as she pursues a degree in speech language pathology.  She would like to become a speech teacher.

A top student, Slee has participated in many athletic, musical and service activities including marching band (for which she served as captain in 2009),  pep and concert bands as well as jazz ensemble; volleyball (player/manager), basketball and track. She also selected to participate in ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest, County Honors Band, National Honor Society and Crossroads Bank Junior Board of Directors.

“Heather has worked hard for everything she has,” says a reference, “She sets an example that many adults can learn from.”

One of her references describes Marissa Stoffel as a student who “accepts the challenges put in front of her and completes the tasks to the best of her ability…Marissa would bring a set of values and standards that any prestigious institution would be proud to have.”

Marissa had an opportunity early in her high school career as a freshman on the Academic Super Bowl Team. She was named top Biology, Chemistry II and Pre-calculus student in 2009 and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She has held leadership positions in student council (vice-president) and on the golf team (captain).  Her other activities include PEP, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Softball, Spanish Club and Art Club. Outside of school, Marissa has served the community as a Junior Board Member on the Crossroads Bank Junior Board of Directors, a member of the Bachelor Creek Youth Group and a volunteer for Project Elf.Marissa plans to study nutrition science or chemistry.

The Foundation’s scholarship committee will narrow the field to two nominees and one alternate. The finalists’ names will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for approval of the nominees. The names of the Lilly Scholars will be announced in April.

ICI is a nonprofit 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.

Lilly Endowment, Inc. scholarships are awarded only in Indiana counties with a Community Foundation. The Community Foundation of Wabash County has awarded 27 Lilly Scholarships.  The Foundation is responsible for the application process and candidate selection. It also maintains contact with these scholars during college and beyond.

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The Community Foundation of Wabash County is a nonprofit public charity established in 1954. It serves the citizens of Wabash County by implementing their charitable aspirations, making grants, investing and safeguarding charitable assets, providing information regarding charitable endeavors, and convening citizens and linking resources to address issues confronting our shared lives. The Community Foundation of Wabash County is located at 218 E. Main St., North Manchester, Indiana. For more information, visit www.cfwabash.org.