From left, are Suzie Light, Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO, Brandon Kresca, Tippecanoe Valley High School principal; Christopher Yoder; Kirstyn Yoder; Blaine Conley, TVSC superintendent; Tracy Yoder; Stacey Donato, Indiana State Senator for District 18; and Stephanie Overbey, associate director of Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Photo provided.

WARSAW — Lauryn Rhodes and Kirstyn Yoder were recently announced as Kosciusko County Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Each year, Kosciusko County recommends two students to receive the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship award, which is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the Indiana college or university of their choice.

Rhodes is a senior at Warsaw Community High School. She is the daughter of Sean and Deborah Rhodes. At the time of application, Rhodes held a 4.32 grade point average. An active member of her school and community, Rhodes has participated in Student Council, Future Farmers of America, National Honors Society, Red Cross Club, Mathletes, Academic Superbly, Kosciusko County 4-H, FCCLA, Octagon Club, Sources of Strength Suicide Prevention Program and the WCHS Riley Committee to fundraise for Riley Children’s Hospital.

She has worked at Pottery Bayou and is currently employed as a manager at Kelainey’s Ice Cream Shop. Additionally, Rhodes has completed a medical internship at the Kosciusko Community Hospital, which has helped reinforce her desire to pursue a degree in the medical field. Upon graduation from high school, Rhodes plans to enroll at Purdue University to major in biology and chemistry. Rhodes is described as an exceptional leader with a passion to succeed.

Yoder is a senior at Tippecanoe Valley High School. She is the daughter of Christopher and Tracy Yoder. At the time of application, Yoder was ranked first in her graduating class. She has participated in Math Academic team, Science Academic Team, Girls Who Code, Varsity Softball, National Honor Society, Leo Club and Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy. Throughout her extracurricular activities, Yoder has held many leadership roles. She has also raised money and awareness for the American Heart Association, tutors fellow students in algebra and calculus, and is employed at Mentone B&K. Upon graduation from high school, Yoder plans to attend either Purdue University or the University of Notre Dame to study mathematics and pursue a future career as an actuary. Yoder is described as a self-starter with a passion for helping others.

The selection process for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship begins at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, where committee members review the applications without access to student names. The criteria evaluated by the committee members includes academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement, work experience, references and essay response. Once the committee has made their selections, the Community Foundation recommends the recipients to Independent College of Indiana, the administrators of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for final approval and selection.

Annually since 1998, Lilly Endowment has funded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education in the belief that education is indispensable to the personal, civic and economic well-being of Indiana communities and residents.

From left, are Troy Akers, Warsaw Community High School principal; Ronna Kawsky, Warsaw Area Career Center principal; Deborah Rhodes; Lauryn Rhodes; Sean Rhodes; Suzie Light, Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO; and David Hoffert, WCS superintendent. Photo provided.