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Community News | Press Releases

Foundation announces 2010 Scholarship Recipients

LaGrange County Community Foundation (LCCF) announced recipients of 38 scholarships (several with multiple awards) which will assist graduating seniors enrolling in college this fall.

Recipients and scholarships include: (click here for list)

Scholarship donors interested in assisting young people have supported the LCCF program since the early days. Many made additional contributions to enable the awards to be made even in the midst of the current difficult economy.

A large number of scholarship committee members devoted many hours to the selection process which included reading applications and essays, ranking applicants by specific criteria and, sometimes, interviews. Selecting the recipients from the many well-qualified and talented applicants is challenging.

A scholarship established by the Olive B. Cole Foundation is awarded to four LaGrange County students who rank in the top 50 percentile of their graduating class and who will be full time students at any accredited two or four year college, university or trade school.  It also may be renewable if certain grade requirements are met and adequate reporting is done. For 2010, two Lakeland students, Carl Welker and Allyson Whitlock, and two Westview students, Blaine Harlan and Kaylee Yoder were chosen from 41 applications submitted. Welker plans to major in mechanical engineering technology at Purdue University, Valparaiso University or Trine University, while Whitlock intends to major in hospitality and tourism management with a minor in Spanish at Purdue University. Harlan views her undergraduate years as preparation for an eventual career in genetic research and plans to attend either Butler University or Indiana Purdue University of Indianapolis and Yoder will pursue a teaching degree in English as a Second Language at either Liberty University or Taylor University.

Sara Eaton & Lora Hodgen named 2010 Lilly Scholars

Sara Eaton, Lakeland High School, and Lora Hodgen, Prairie Heights High School, are the recipients of four-year, full tuition scholarships as the LaGrange County Community Foundation 2010 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. Each will receive full tuition at the Indiana college of her choice and an $800 per year stipend for required books and equipment.

Sara Eaton plans to attend Anderson University where she will study secondary special education and youth ministry. She earned a 3.83 grade point average during her four years at Lakeland High School and finished sixth in the class. She is a member of Nationa Honor Society and the student council.

Eaton is a member of LaGrange First Church of God, and has had numerous volunteer experiences in the community. She played softball and soccer. She is the daughter of Randy and Sally Eaton, LaGrange.

Lora Hodgen ranks fifth in the graduating class at Prairie Heights High School, and will attend an Indiana college where she plans to study journalism.  She hopes to eventually do editorial writing for a magazine. She has been active in the Prairie Heights Leo Club and at Faith United Methodist Church.

Hodgen has maintained a 4.15 grade point average. She is a National Honor Society member and was on the All A Honor Roll from 2006-2010. Her parents are William and Sandra Hodgen of Wolcottville.

Hodgen and Eaton were selected as scholarship nominees in a process approved by Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc, (ICI), administrators of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. 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. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor’s degree. There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.

Twenty-first Century Scholarship Program gleans results

In 2009 in partnership with county schools, LaGrange County Community Foundation provided detailed information on the 21st Century Scholars Program which assures a college education at qualified Indiana colleges for students currently in sixth, seventh and eighth grades who are U. S. citizens or eligible non citizens and qualify for free or reduced lunch The information was made available at parent-teacher conferences at Westview, Prairie Heights, and Lakeland Middle Schools.

Representatives from 21st Century Scholars reported that LaGrange County enrollment in the program has increased dramatically since the partnership began. In 2009 the increase at Lakeland was 147 percent over 2008, at Prairie Heights, the increase was 81 percent, and at Westview the increase was 163 percent. Overall, 100 more students enrolled in the program.

Students wishing to join the 21st Century Scholars Program and their parents must sign an agreement that they will graduate from high school and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average, not illegally use controlled substances, not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not commit any delinquent acts, and apply to college and for any available federal and state aid.

Parents of qualified students can receive further information at the schools or by calling the foundation office at 463-4363.

Good Samaritan Fund supports food distributions

The Good Samaritan Project, a collaboration of LaGrange County Community Foundation and United Fund of LaGrange County, provided nearly $50,000 to support several major food pantries and kitchens throughout LaGrange County. The awards were the result of a successful fundraising and grant writing effort by the two organizations in partnership with Indiana Association of United Ways 4 Community grant opportunity. The awards helped provide basic needs for families hard hit by recession and unemployment.

LIne up of LaGrange County people waiting for food distribution from Community Harvest Food Wagon at Parkview LaGrange.

Local donors,encouraged by a“challenge” gift from LaGrange County Community Foundation, raised $24,872 to meet the 1 to 1 match necessary to obtain the 4 Community grant award. Major donors responding to the community foundation challenge included the Olive B. Cole Foundation, Shipshewana Retail Merchants, Howe Military School, Parkview LaGrange Hospital, LIFE youth philanthropy group, Mrs. Jewell Wolfe, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Miller and other individuals.

The awards supported LaGrange County Clothes and Food Basket, Lima-Scott Food Pantry, Topeka Ministerial Association, LaGrange Ministerial Association, LaGrange County Council on Aging, Berea Missionary Church, and Community Harvest Farm Wagon.

Award amounts were determined by a volunteer committee representing key community stake holder organizations as specified by the 4 Community 2 grant requirements. The nutritional quality of food distributed and numbers served were carefully considered during this process. Special consideration was give by the committee to distribution efforts regularly providing complete and nutritious meals. The United Fund will serve as fiscal agent for distributions.

Contributions of any amount continue to be encouraged and appreciated for the Good Samaritan Project. To make a tax-deductible donation to the project, write a check to LaGrange County Community Foundation at 109 E. Central Ave., Ste. 3, LaGrange, IN 46761. Please write “Good Samaritan Fund” on the memo line.