Two local high school seniors have received full-ride scholarships to an Indiana college of their choice after being named as 2019 Bartholomew County Lilly Endowment scholars.
Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech High School senior Baily Tillett and Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School senior Riley Clark were surprised with the scholarship announcements last week at their schools.
They will each receive full tuition for four years at an Indiana college and an annual stipend of $900 for books and equipment.
A total of 82 students applied for the scholarships with 10 finalists selected for an interview, said Amy Laker, scholarship manager with the Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. A selection committee narrowed down the field and selected Tillett and Clark to receive the coveted scholarships.
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Pair of surprises
Tillett was in calculus class at CSA New Tech, describing herself as surprised to members of the Lilly scholar selection committee at school — and shocked it was her they were coming to see.
“I didn’t even realize what was happening initially,” Tillett said. “I thought it could’ve been somebody else in the class. I, of course, cried when I realized it was me.”
Tillett, 18, of Columbus, said she plans to either attend IUPUI or Notre Dame to study psychology. She is also planning to attend medical school, where she plans to focus on emergency trauma medicine.
If Tillett chooses IUPUI, the four-year scholarship value would be an estimated $122,880. If she chooses Notre Dame, it would be an estimated $217,164.
Tillett, who is the daughter of Ashleigh Shaw and the late James Tillett, has been active in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, Youth Leadership Bartholomew County, Student Ambassadors and the National Honor Society. She is also a member of the Alpha Rho Tau Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is a student intern at Cummins Inc.
CSA — New Tech Principal Mike Reed described Tillett as an individual who is driven and focused.
“She has a clear vision of her future,” Reed said. “She’s always looking for ways to help other people.”
Reed said he is confidence that Tillett will go on to do great things in life.
“I think winning the Lilly scholarship has opened her eyes to opportunities she hadn’t considered before,” Reed said.
Tillett said she was inspired by her late father to go into medicine since he was involved in combat medicine during his time in the U.S. Army. He later worked for Columbus Regional Hospital as an emergency medical technician, she said.
Tillett’s mother works as a clerk at a liquor store in Columbus.
“It’s going to open up a lot of opportunities for me,” she said.
Clark, 17, of Clifford, was also caught off-guard during her Hauser pre-calculus class when she heard a knock on the door and saw principal David Wintin, band director Josh Goodman and members of the selection committee.
“I was speechless and I saw the whole world stop before my eyes,” Clark said.
She will be a first-generation high school graduate and college attendee in her family, she said.
She is considering attending Butler University or DePauw University with plans to major in musical performance with a concentration in flute.
If Clark chooses Butler, the four-year scholarship value would be an estimated $164,240. If she chooses DePauw, it would be an estimated $217,164.
Winners still have plenty of time to make their final decisions on which university they will attend.
Clark, the daughter of Shannon and John Clark, has been active in American Legion Auxiliary Hoosier Girls State, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Hauser concert band and Hauser jazz band.
Clark’s mother does not work outside the home; her father is a construction worker with Taylor Bros. Construction Co.
Clark has also been involved with the Hauser pep/marching band, Hauser Student Council as class officer and treasurer, in addition to the National Honor Society, cadet teaching and being a peer mentor.
Wintin said Clark is an individual who goes above and beyond and has a deep concern for others around her. Wintin also said the scholarship will allow Clark to help others in life.
“The opportunity to get a full-ride scholarship greatly enhances her chances,” Wintin said.
‘Wow us’
Tillett and Clark both demonstrated a financial need for the scholarship and submitted outstanding applications that included letters of recommendations among other materials, said Matthew Kirr, scholarship committee chairman.
The process also involved an interview with members of the selection committee who determined this year’s winners.
“You have to come in and wow us,” Kirr said. “Those two both did a terrific job of being assertive.”
Clark said she prepared for her interview with the selection committee with the help of Hauser High School graduate Grace Hasler, who won a Lilly Endowment scholarship last year.
“I knew I had a story to tell,” Clark said. “It was a really humbling experience.”
Clark also hopes to give back to her community someday and thanked the committee for selecting her.
“I hope to inspire people the way they inspired me,” she said. “I want to thank them for taking that leap of faith in me.”
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Heritage Fund received 82 applications from Bartholomew County seniors for this year’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships. Ten students were chosen for interviews by the selection committee, with two winners chosen.
The other eight finalists, by school, were:
Columbus East High School — Amanda Pottorff, Abigail Martin, Kamebry Wagner and Pattsie Waltz.
Columbus North High School — Isabella Liliac, Hannah Garrity and Elias Heichelbech.
Columbus Signature Academy – New Tech — Vanessa Villalobos.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Baily Tillett” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 18
Hometown: Columbus
Family: Daughter of Ashleigh Shaw and the late James Tillett
College: Will either attend either IUPUI or Notre Dame with plans to study psychology and then attend medical school with a focus on emergency trauma medicine
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Riley Clark” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 17
Hometown: Clifford
Family: Daughter of Shannon and John Clark
College: Will either attend either Butler University or DePauw University with plans to major in musical performance with a concentrate in flute
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