Pictured, from left, are Warsaw Community Schools’ Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert; Ben Barkey, Aliah’s father; Aliah Barkey, 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient; Dr. Dani Barkey, Aliah’s mother; Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO Stephanie Overbey; and Warsaw Community High School Principal Troy Akers. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Community Foundation recently announced the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships recipients: Aliah Barkey and Amy Brown.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship that enables recipients from each participating Indiana county to attend an Indiana college or university of their choice. In Kosciusko County, the Community Foundation appoints a committee to lead a blind review process of all local applications.

Aliah Barkey

Barkey is a senior at Warsaw Community High School. She plans to major in architecture.

“I chose to major in architecture so I can integrate my love for art, craftsmanship skills, and aspects of business while creating beautiful, sustainable designs,” said Barkey. “Throughout my high school career, I searched for a pathway that balanced both my creativity and stability. My passions and experiences have taught me to embrace who I am, to use my voice to inspire others, and that high achievement means little if I’m not giving back.”

Barkey has been a member of the Warsaw Community High School track, cross country, and unified football teams. She also participated in teen court, ultimate frisbee club, National Honor Society, Kosciusko Venture Challenge, Camp Mack youth camps, Legacy Leadership Summit, Legacy Council, Brethren Voices, national youth conferences, and local art fairs.

Aliah Barkey reacts to being told she’s a 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

The scholarship committee noted Barkey had a 4.36 GPA on a 4.0 scale and already received 38 college credits.

“They were impressed with your work experience in retail and childcare, but also because you’re a self-appointed artist, having sold over 150 of your paintings,” said KCCF CEO Stephanie Overbey.

Barkey’s references described her as “trustworthy, wise, mature, compassionate, creative, and willing to care for those on the margins.”

Barkey’s parents are Ben and Dani Barkey. Both expressed how proud they were of Aliah being a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient.

“Watching her do all these amazing things over her adolescent career, I wouldn’t say I’m surprised because she’s worked really hard,” said Ben.

With her artwork, Aliah primarily works in abstract and 3D shapes, including flipping furniture.

“My great-grandmother was a really great artist,” said Aliah. “My mother, she got an art degree … and was an art teacher. Art’s kind of been in my family, my grandpa’s a woodworker. People in my life have influenced me. Art started out as a hobby, but I kept doing it and it grew into this love I have for art.”

Amy Brown

Amy Brown is a senior at Whitko High School. She plans to major in agricultural marketing and communication.

“Being surrounded by agriculture all my life has helped me decide to pursue this career path,” said Brown. “As a young entrepreneur with my own sheep business, it’s helped me understand the importance of communication, networking for my business, and the agriculture industry. Sharing my passion for agriculture will allow me to continue my love for agriculture where I hope to excite the same interest in others for the industry.”

Brown has been a member of the tennis team, FFA, National Honor Society, student council, gospel choir, 4-H, Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy, Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, and Whitko Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Both Aliah and Brown were celebrated with surprise award ceremonies on Friday, Dec. 13, at their respective schools.

How Lilly Endowment Community Scholars Are Selected

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, fees, and an allocation for books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

The Kosciusko County selection process for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship begins as Community Foundation scholarship reviewers evaluate each application without access to the students’ names or other identifying information. Qualifying criteria include academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement, work experience, references, and essay responses.

Once the committee selects the finalists, the Community Foundation submits these applicants to Independent College of Indiana, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program for the final selection of recipients.

Pictured is 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient Amy Brown, sixth from left, alongside her family. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union.