Cass County Community Foundation

Cass County Community Foundation announces 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists

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Last Updated on October 13, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

Cass County Community Foundation President & CEO Deanna Crispen is pleased to announce Cass County’s 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program finalists:

  • Elizabeth Foster, Logansport High School
  • Nathalia Hernandez, Logansport High School
  • Golda Kitchell, Logansport High School
  • Samuel Martin, Northwestern High School
  • Mia McKaig, Pioneer High School
  • James Myers, Lewis Cass High School
  • Hannah Zeigler, Pioneer High School

Applications were received from four high schools in the CCCF service area.

Students who are Cass County permanent residents but attending high school outside the county are also eligible. All identifying information, such as student’s name, school name, gender, etc, was removed from the applications for the finalist selection process.

CCCF President Deanna Crispen stated, “Each year, we receive an outstanding pool of applications for the highly competitive award. This year, the seven selected finalists were truly remarkable and an example of the best and brightest students residing in Cass County. The finalists were selected based solely on the criteria, which include academic ability, achievements, activities, and citizenship; however, financial need is not a consideration in Cass County,” said Crispen.

From the seven finalists, one Cass County resident will be awarded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship which will pay their full four-year tuition at any Indiana college or university, plus required fees. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients will also receive $900 per year for books and equipment. The remaining students selected as finalists will receive a scholarship directly from the Cass County Community Foundation in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Those awards and the amount will be announced at the high school senior awards programs in the spring.

Students applying for the Cass County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship are also encouraged to apply for all other scholarships where they meet the criteria. If the student selected as the recipient receives other scholarships or awards for tuition and fees, they will be required to either turn down the other awards or forfeit the Lilly and accept the other awards. At no time can the recipient receive both. If the student recipient, after being named, declines the Lilly Scholarship, it will be immediately awarded to the alternate.

Crispen shared, “Lilly Endowment Inc. continues to be a generous benefactor to our outstanding local students and their educational goals. This year’s recipient will be the 45th Cass County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. We are grateful for this incredible program that has motivated and provided funding for previous Lilly Endowment Community Scholars in Cass County since 1998.”

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Community Foundation

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