Pictured: Karen Brashaber, RCCF Board Secretary; Kristie Amos, RCCF Program Officer; Shanneke Tague, John Carter Tague 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient; Shaleigh Tague, John Tague, Alisa Winters, RCCF Executive Director; Keith Perin, RCCF Board Vice President

One Rush County student has been named the Rush County Community Foundation’s 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. This year’s recipient is the 41st Rush County student to receive a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.

John Carter Tague will receive full-tuition to an Indiana college of his choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. John Carter is a resident of Jackson Township and a senior at Rushville Consolidated High School. He is the son of John and Shanneke Tague. John Carter plans to attend Ball State University and study Strategic Community Public Relations or Sports Administration.

Upon being presented the scholarship, John Carter said, “To say I am at a loss of words to describe how receiving the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship made me feel is an understatement. There were many incredible students that applied for this scholarship, and to be selected as the recipient out of such a remarkable roster of candidates is a dream come true. This scholarship means more to me and my family than anyone will ever know. There was nothing that could solidify the “hard work pays off” motto better than walking through the Learning Commons doors and being told you have been selected to receive such a life changing scholarship. Thank you to the members of the committee, Lilly Endowment Inc., and the community. It was a blessing to be able to apply for this scholarship, let alone be selected to receive it. Thank you so much to all the individuals who have reached out to me and to all my teachers, coaches, family, friends, youth group leaders, and anyone who has supported me throughout my high school years. I could not be the person I am today without them. Thank you!”

John Carter Tague was chosen from 16 applicants from Rush County. Academic standing, demonstrated leadership, school involvement, community involvement, and financial need all factor 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 or identifying demographic information 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 top finalists 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 recipient.

ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 30 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship 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. To date, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has awarded more than 5,000 scholarships totaling over $439 million to Indiana students pursuing a postsecondary education at an accredited public or private nonprofit college or university in Indiana.

Meeting the philanthropic needs of Rush County since 1991, the Rush County Community Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit public charity established to serve donors, award grants and scholarships, and provide leadership to enrich and enhance the quality of life in Rush County, Indiana, not only today, but for our future generations. For more information, please visit or contact the RCCF office at 117 N. Main St., Rushville, IN 46173, or call (765) 938-1177.