COLUMBUS, Ind. – Heritage Fund Bartholomew County (HFBC) has announced that Columbus East High School seniors Nadia Harris and Sivangi Patel are this year’s recipients of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Bartholomew County.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
Each scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
“Nadia and Sivangi represent the best of Columbus — they are both academically exceptional, highly involved at school in extracurriculars and sports but also highly engaged in the community and eager to give back. I applaud them for their accomplishments thus far and wish them nothing but the best in reaching their aspirations,” said Aida Ramirez, HFBC board member and scholarship selection chair.
Harris, daughter of Emily Harris, has been active in Key Club, Varsity Soccer, the National Honor Society, Student Assembly, Best Buddies, and Student Government. She plans to major in biology.
Patel, daughter of Nainesh and Avantika Patel, has been active in the National Honor Society, Tennis, Youth Leadership Bartholomew County, Key Club, and Health Occupation Students of America. She wants to pursue a nursing major.
Heritage Fund received 50 applications for this year’s scholarships, from which 10 finalists were selected. Applicants were evaluated by the selection committee on academic performance; scholastic and community involvement; employment; leadership; financial need; responses to short answer questions and a 450-word essay; two recommendations; and, finalist interviews.
Scholarship nominees were then submitted to the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, ICI, for nomination approval.
The other finalists are: from Columbus East High School: J.R. Hughes, Henry Ulrich, and Monica Santana. From Columbus North High School: Seth Poindexter. From CSA-New Tech: Janelly Villalobos. From Hauser Jr-Sr High School: Colin Kistler, Isabella Kilps, and Grace Hattabaugh.
Harris-Courtesy of Heritage Fund
Patel-Courtesy of Heritage Fund
