Last Updated on December 12, 2017 by cassnetwork
Christmas came a few days early for one Cass County student who may be singing at the top of her lungs. Cassia Scagnoli, a senior at Logansport High School will receive a full, four-year scholarship as the Cass County Community Foundation 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. She will receive not only full tuition to the Indiana college of her choice but also a $900 stipend each year for required books and equipment.
Cassia is the daughter of Stephanie and Tony Scagnoli and she plans to attend Indiana University to pursue a degree in musical theatre. Her further aspirations include participating in vocal performance and eventually possibly directing or teaching.
Cassia has received many academic awards and honors and is ranked first in class at LHS pursuing an Academic Honors Diploma. She has received several awards including gold medals at ISSMA contests, Best Actress, Best Vocalist, State Thespian Awards, writing awards, and participated in the Indiana All-State Choir for nine years. Cassia was also honored to perform the National Anthem at Bankers Life Fieldhouse twice. Currently senior class vice president, she has been a class officer all four years and active in Key Club, Sub Debs, Logansport Children’s Choir, Varsity Speech Team, Cross Country, Tennis and Thespians. Her roles in theatre productions include performances in Mary Poppins, Grease, The Music Man and most notably starred as Peter Pan in the musical Peter Pan.
Cassia will be the 19th recipient from Logansport High School and the 36th Lilly Scholar for Cass County since the program began in 1998.
The Cass County Community Foundation received 34 applications for the 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Applicants were required to have a 3.5 or higher GPA plus submit other nomination materials. All identifying details, such as student’s name, gender, and school name, were removed from the applications prior to review. Seven finalists were selected based solely on the criteria, which include academic ability, achievements, activities and citizenship. The finalists then participated in further review, which included writing an impromptu timed essay, followed by a face-to-face interview session with the selection committee. After completing the selection process, the CCCF Lilly Scholarship Committee submitted the name of the 2017 nominee to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for final approval. Each finalist will receive an award directly from the Cass County Community Foundation in recognition of their outstanding, high achievement.
ICI is a non-profit corporation that represents thirty-one regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. There were 142 scholarships awarded statewide.
For more information on this award or the Cass County Community Foundation, please call 574-722-2200.
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Community Foundation