'09 Lilly Scholars are named

Kevin Knaus The Carroll County Community Foundation has announced the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for 2009.

Carroll senior Kevin Knaus and Delphi senior Nicole Springer will each receive fulltuition, four-year scholarships to an Indiana college of their choice. They will also receive a stipend for required books and equipment.

Kevin, who ranks first in his class at Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School, plans to attend Butler University and pursue a degree in pharmacy.

"When I got the letter that I was a Lilly recipient, I was extremely thankful to everyone involved, and a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I now know where I will be attending college and am very grateful to be able to attend a top-notch university like Butler," he said.

Kevin is active at his school, serving as president of National Honor Society, Historians Club and Spanish Club. He is also an officer for Student Council, and a member of Key Club. He serves as a Caring Connection Mentor and helps at the Kokomo Rescue Mission.

According to one of his teachers he is very committed to community service. He not only performs his required community service through his various school affiliations, but he logs additional hours, while maintaining a rigorous academic course load and working four hours per week for Brenneco Fire Protection.

Nicole Springer Kevin's awards have included Top 10, American Legion Good Citizen, Rotary Citizenship, and President's Award for Educational Excellence.

"Kevin is an excellent scholar, not just simply smart," wrote his art teacher Wyndham Traxler-Carter in a letter of recommendation. "He is not content to complete an assignment, but to also think about possibilities within the range of solutions, and evaluate options for what is best."

Kevin is the youngest of four children of Merl and Janice Knaus of Flora. He says his oldest (by 13 years) brother, Stephen, is his role model.

"…Steve continues to be the inspiring influence in my developing life and goals," said Kevin. "His actions show me to always make room for others, especially those who can be encouraged and positively influenced by a simple kind word or action."

Nicole currently plans to study pre-medicine at St. Joseph's College. She is ranked second in her class at Delphi Community High School.

"When my mom informed me of the news, I was absolutely speechless," she said. "I began to cry as I realized that as a Carroll County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, my educational goals are possible and my family will not have to struggle trying to fund my education."

Nicole is vice president of National Honor Society and a member of SADD, Key Club and Spanish Club. She is group leader for Battle of the Books and a Junior Rotarian.

Nicole competes on the DCHS girls varsity tennis team and has been a cheerleader for three years.

She is also involved in her church youth group and is a 10-year 4-H member.

Her awards have included National Society of High School Scholars, Scholarship "D" Award, most improved for tennis, most improved for cheerleading, and student ambassador for People to People.

Besides excelling academically, Nicole places a high priority on service to her school and community. She also works ten hours a week at Hollister Co.

In a letter of recommendation DCHS science department chair Kirk Janowiak wrote, "Coaches and teammates value Nicole for more than just 'doing her job.' Nicole is seen as a valuable person who actively tries to improve the experience for everyone around her."

"She usually takes on the leadership role in her groups - not by force of will nor power of personality, but rather by gentle suggestions and solid information, offered freely and amiably."

Nicole is the oldest child of Alan Springer of Lafayette and Loretta Springer of Monticello. She says that her younger brother, Nathan, is her inspiration. He has Down Syndrome.

"Nathan does not care who you are, where you come from, how much money you have, or what you can do for him; Nathan will welcome you with open arms," she said.

"Nathan has made me realize that God put him on this earth to teach other people the values and benefits of a beautiful life."

A committee of volunteers evaluated the applications from qualified and eligible Carroll County students who applied for the Lilly Scholarship. They selected eight finalists who were interviewed by the Carroll County Community Foundation board and scholarship committee.

The other six finalists are being recognized for their achievements with $1,000 scholarships. They are: Nicholi Kauffman, son of James and Maria Kauffman, Hannah Strasser, daughter of Tim and Kathy Strasser, and Shawneci Windell, daughter of Angi Kemp, all seniors at Delphi Community High School; Sarah Griffin, daughter of Dale and Christina Griffin, and Travis Martin, son of Mark and Karen Martin, both seniors at Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School; and Megan Leverenz, daughter of J. Scott and Cindy Leverenz, a Twin Lakes High School senior.

A reception to recognize scholarship recipients will be held June 2 at the Wabash & Erie Canal Conference Center in Delphi.

About the scholarships

The Lilly Scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosierstudents r e a c h higher levels of education. There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.

This is the twelfth year that the Endowment has funded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars program for outstanding students in Indiana. The Endowment hopes that this program will encourage many of Indiana's most talented students to attend one of Indiana's higher education institutions and after graduation consider pursuing occupations in Indiana.

The Community Foundation defined the criteria based on the Endowment's stated goal to "raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana." The criteria identified by the Foundation and used in the selection process were: scholastic achievements; school, community, and work activities; essay; financial need; and an interview.

The Carroll County Community Foundation is a notfor profit charitable organization created in 1997. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the community through the accumulation and stewardship of enduring charitable gifts. For details about making a charitable gift or establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit a charitable organization or interest in Carroll County, please contact the Community Foundation at (800) 964-0508 or visit the Foundation's website at www.cfcarroll.org.