Foundation Has Awarded 187 Scholarships Since 1998
High school graduation is just the beginning for the 18 talented students recently recognized at the Porter County Community Foundation’s annual Scholarship Banquet. “We’re so proud of these extraordinary students. Combined with their talent and hard work, these scholarships will help build extraordinary, bright futures,” said Leslie Plesac, a Foundation Board member who has chaired the Scholarship Committee for the past eight years. Since 1998, the Foundation has presented more than 187 scholarships to Porter County students. 
The Porter County Community Foundation has awarded 58 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since 1998 to Porter County students, totaling over $3.8 million. The scholarship pays full tuition and fees to any college or university in the state of Indiana and $800 each year for books. This year’s winners are Michael Bradney (Valparaiso High School), Daniel Hartwig (Boone Grove High School), Lynsey Sell (Wheeler High School), and Catalina Roldan (Valparaiso High School). The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships are the result of a statewide initiative by Lilly Endowment Inc. to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana and to support Indiana’s community foundations in their mission to enhance quality of life.
The Porter County Community Foundation provided $4,000 scholarships to Morgan Galloway Daly (Washington Township High School), Alexandria Roman (Portage High School), Hayley Trezzo (Chesterton High School).
NIPSCO has partnered with the Foundation to provide the following $1,000 scholarships: Brianna Largent (Hebron High School), Luis Murillo (Portage High School), Robin Rhodea (Kouts High School), Daria Wolf (Morgan Township High School), Grant Cooper (Andrean High School).
The Launch Your Career scholarship is available to students attending the Porter County Career and Technical Center. North Coast Distributing is a partner in awarding these $1,000 scholarships. Recipients are Kayla Bachert (Morgan Township High School), Zachary Devereux (Boone Grove High School), Kara Moon (Morgan High School), Olivia Rivera (Portage High School), Ryan Hough (Hebron High School), Mark Passine (Hebron High School).
Finally, Shawn Moyer Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Jessica Duncan and Kevin Freyenberger from Kouts High School. Shawn Moyer was a 1999 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar who passed away during his sophomore year at Taylor University. Lilly Endowment and the Foundation endowed the remaining balance of Shawn’s scholarship to create this award for graduates of Kouts High School.
All scholarships were awarded based on financial need, academic accomplishment, ability to communicate, motivation/desire to succeed, activities/leadership, and capacity to succeed. The Foundation’s Scholarship Committee reviews applications, interviews applicants, and makes selections based on the criteria above.
The Porter County Community Foundation leads, unites and supports giving to make a difference in Porter County today, tomorrow and forever. For more information about the Porter County Community Foundation, contact the Foundation at 219-465-0294 or visit online at www.portercountyfoundation.org.
PHOTO CAPTION: Since 1998 the Porter County Community Foundation has awarded 58 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships to Porter County students, totaling over $3.8 million. Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships were awarded this year to (L-R in picture) Michael Bradney (Valparaiso High School), Daniel Hartwig (Boone Grove High School), Lynsey Sell (Wheeler High School), and Catalina Roldan (Valparaiso High School).