Lilly Endowment names 2024 scholars

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The Howard County Community Foundation has announced that two local high school seniors are recipients of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Howard County.

Northwestern High School's Kelsie Avery and Kokomo High School's Shelby Stepler were notified of the scholarships, which are administrated by the Community Foundation.

The Lilly Endowment Scholarship provides the recipient with full tuition, required fees, and $900 per year for books and equipment for four years.

Avery will be graduating with an honors diploma in 2024, and after being a 10-year member, is now president of Future Farmers of America (FFA) District 5. She is captain of the NHS softball team and manager of the cross-country team. Kelsie works part-time as a veterinary assistant and will be attending Purdue University, majoring in animal science.

Stepler, graduating from Kokomo with an honors diploma, is an active KHS Marching Wildkats Band member, along with participating in the KHS Indoor Winds indoor marching band program. As part of the Kokomo Leadership Academy, she mentors incoming freshmen, and also serves on student council and Girls League. Shelby will be attending Ball State University, majoring in nursing.

Howard County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominee consideration criteria includes academic achievement, activities in and out of school, potential for success, financial need, if the student is a first-generation college student, and an interview by the Community Foundation of Howard County Scholarship Committee. After the 2024 field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private 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.