Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to recognize 10 local high school seniors as La Porte County finalists for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Two of the finalists will be selected as 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The two scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university and an annual book and equipment stipend. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has provided approximately $6 million in tuition and book stipends to benefit 74 La Porte County students since 1998.

“This year’s finalists are a truly remarkable group of young adults. They have strong grades, are involved in many activities and have already provided service to their communities. Their futures are bright and we hope they will continue to excel and give back to their communities,” said Maggi Spartz, Unity Foundation President. 

The finalists and their respective schools are:

Colton Barnes, South Central Jr-Sr High School

Drew Bush, La Porte High School

Bailey Chavis, Michigan City High School

Abbas Hakim, La Porte High School

Wyatt Keller, New Prairie High School

Hannah Parker, Michigan City High School

Jayde Pryor, Tri-Township Jr./ Sr. High School

Katherine Sheerin, Marquette Catholic High School

Savannah Swanson, South Central Jr-Sr High School

Naomi Williams, Michigan City High School

A committee of local volunteers reviewed the applications in a blind process. Finalists were selected based on their academic achievement, service to others, extracurricular activities and, to a lesser extent, financial need. The committee then interviewed each of the finalists. Nominees and alternate names will be submitted to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc., the statewide administrator of the program, for the final selection – which will be announced in December. As a reward for their achievements, the remaining finalists will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Unity Foundation.  

The primary purposes of the 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.