One Rush County student has been named the recipient of a four year, full tuition scholarship as the Rush County Community Foundation’s 2016 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.  This year’s recipient is the 34^th Rush County student to receive a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.

Emilee Rogers will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of her choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Emilee is a resident of Center Township and a senior at Rushville Consolidated High School.  She is the daughter of Grant and Bobbie Rogers.  Emilee has been accepted Indiana University Bloomington and plans to major in tourism, hospitality, and event management.  After completing her bachelor’s degree she hopes to obtain employment with an event management company, seeking opportunities for growth and promotion with the long-term goal of owning her own company.

When asked to describe a moment that has shaped her future goals, Emilee stated, “I was influenced to pursue Event Management when I attended a Pacers game and was able to meet the halftime show coordinator. I was inspired by his experiences and the people he had met through his profession. The halftime show was exciting. It was then, that I realized I wanted to create something that people could get excited about too.”

Upon being presented the scholarship she reflected, “I’ve always dreamed of becoming a Lilly Scholar and for that dream to finally come true has been life-changing. I am grateful for all the opportunities Rush County has provided me along with the superior education I have received from Mays Elementary, BRMS, and RCHS. I want to give a special thanks to all my teachers, administrators, and coaches for their unconditional support. I especially want to thank my parents for always believing in me and supporting me in all my endeavors.

“This scholarship will allow me to reach my future goals and continue to be successful. It is an honor to be chosen as the 2016 Eli Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient. I cannot express my gratitude to the Rush County Community Foundation enough.”

Beyond working hard to attain good grades and a “Top 10” ranking, Emilee has been an active leader throughout her high school career in school and community activities.  She was chosen from 19 applicants from Rush County.  Academic standing, school involvement, and community involvement all play a key in the decision of the Nominating Committee.  The Rush County Community Foundation Lilly Selection Committee uses a blind application review process and does not know the names of the students.  Each application is reviewed and judged separately by three members of the committee and is judged in ten separate categories.  The committee narrows the field to three nominees and forwards their recommendation to the Board of Directors of the Rush County Community Foundation for final recommendation and submission to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipients.

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 142 scholarships awarded statewide.