LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to recognize 10 local high school seniors as La Porte County finalists for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Two of the finalists will be selected as 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The two scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university and an annual book and equipment stipend. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has provided approximately $6 million in tuition and book stipends to benefit 74 La Porte County students since 1998.

“This year’s finalists are a truly remarkable group of young adults. They have strong grades, are involved in many activities and have already provided service to their communities.  Their futures are bright and we hope they will continue to give back to their communities,” said Maggi Spartz, Unity Foundation President.

The finalists and their respective schools are:

• Colton Barnes, South Central Jr-Sr High School
• Drew Bush, La Porte High School
• Bailey Chavis, Michigan City High School
• Abbas Hakim, La Porte High School
• Wyatt Keller, New Prairie High School
• Hannah Parker, Michigan City High School
• Jayde Pryor, Tri-Township Jr./ Sr. High School
• Katherine Sheerin, Marquette Catholic High School
• Savannah Swanson, South Central Jr-Sr High School
• Naomi Williams, Michigan City High School

A committee of local volunteers reviewed the applications in a blind process.  Finalists were selected based on their academic achievement, service to others, extracurricular activities and, to a lesser extent, financial need.  The committee then interviewed each of the finalists. Nominees and alternate names will be submitted to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc., the statewide administrator of the program, for the final selection – which will be announced in December. As a reward for their achievements, the remaining finalists will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Unity Foundation.

The primary purposes of the program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

Since 1992, Unity Foundation of La Porte County has served donors, nonprofits and local communities. As La Porte County’s community foundation, it manages $45 million in assets, administers more than 350 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $25 million through direct grants and scholarships. Unity Foundation’s mission is to strengthen La Porte County now and forever by building permanent endowments; providing leadership; offering philanthropic vehicles for everyone; and being a catalyst for social and economic vitality. For more information, please visit uflc.net or call 219-879-0327.

 Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.