The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, or Lilly Scholarship, is an Indiana statewide foundation that covers full tuition and fees for any in-state college of the recipients choosing. This scholarship goes out to high achieving seniors in Indiana communities. It is awarded to two seniors from each Indiana county. For the 2025-2026 school year both recipients from Floyd County are NAHS Bulldogs.

17 year old Alex Stillwell recently received the Lilly scholarship. Stillwell plays on the girls tennis team, is the NAHS Anchor Club president, and is involved in MAX(Muhammad Ali Center, Council of Students), among other activities. She is planning on majoring in nursing at Indiana University Bloomington.  

“I’m excited to see all the different types of people that I’ll be able to meet,” Stillwell said, “because I really do believe that receiving it puts you in a new type of community of all the people who have received it in the past and all the people who are going to receive it in the future.”

17 year old Candace Meyer is the second recipient of the Lilly scholarship in Floyd County. Meyer is involved in softball, FCA, and SALT club. She is planning to study elementary education at Oakland City University, as well as play softball there.  

“[The Lilly Scholarship will] help me have a sense of pride in my community,” Meyer said, “and to grow and to know who’s around me. There are people that care and that hard work does pay off. The community sees you and your values and who you are for you.”

The Lilly foundation has become a staple throughout communities in Indiana. Students prepare for applications for weeks and wait in anticipation for results. 

“[The Lilly Scholarship is] not just because of the actual dollar amount,” Stillwell said, “but because of the significance of what it stands for, which is that you’ve done this work for your community. It’s basically the community giving back to you through this scholarship, and also it’s the connections that you make by getting the scholarship, which are very important.”

“It’s just a staple to be a part of such a prestigious honor,” Meyer said, “to know that it sets you up for such an important future, is a huge deal.”

One of the most important aspects of applying for this scholarship is showcasing who one is. Not just academically or professionally, but every facet of the individual. This poses somewhat of a challenge in itself for each student applying.

“It can get pretty overwhelming,” Stillwell said, “especially when you’re trying to fill out every application and there’s just so many different options. I handle it by just trying to focus on applications and scholarships that I know directly apply to me. If you just take a quick look at any of them, it’ll tell you the criteria. Focus on applications and scholarships that you meet the criteria the most for. You know, don’t try to stretch yourself too thin, because then you’ll just end up getting burnt out and not applying for anything.” 

A Lilly candidate should be well rounded in all areas. When it comes down to it, good grades are important, but will not cover a lack of participation. Giving back to your community is so important in terms of this scholarship application. 

“Grades are obviously important,” Stillwell said, “but I think the most important thing is your direct community service. Also, it’s important how you express yourself through your essay and at the interview. That’s really the most important thing, how you present yourself through the entire process.”

“I think the most important thing,” Meyer said, “it’s good to have a lot of service hours. A lot of my service hours are based on church, or things I did in the community. So, having meaningful service hours.”   

Application for any scholarship can be a daunting process. The stakes that accompany the application process are best handled with the help of others. This will inevitably lead applying students to look for those of good character, who they may want to end up like someday. 

“I would say my role model is probably my Dad,” Stillwell said, “he’s a very kind and modest person, and he has a perspective that you should look at every person as someone that deserves to be given a chance and deserves friendship. That’s why I look up to him, because I believe that he’s just a truly kind hearted person, and that’s how I feel that everyone should be.” 

“I’ve always looked up to my mom,” Meyer said. “She’s worked so hard in what she does, and then also my youth director. She focuses a lot on how you can show your light and God’s light at the same time. That’s what I wanted going into that interview, and that’s what I knew I had to capture to ultimately help me where I am today.” 

There are so many amazing learning opportunities from colleges in Indiana. From northern to southern Indiana there is a very diverse selection, spanning from 80-100 colleges to choose from! 

“Well, I originally wanted a Christian school,” Meyer said, “so I was looking at schools around this area and in Kentucky…This high school is bigger than the enrollment at Oakland City. I wanted the smaller school feeling and their education department is awesome. They have so many special   tutoring opportunities. You’re in the classroom starting day one, and there are just so many opportunities in that way. Their professors are just all around great, and I get an opportunity to play softball there.” 

“I’m already kind of familiar with [Bloomington],” Stillwell said, “and also I’m really drawn to [Indiana University’s] nursing program. I’ve seen the whole nursing building and everything there and I just think the setup is really cool. They have a hospital directly connected to the actual school of nursing, which is pretty important.” 

Although quite similar, each scholarship application process has its own flare. They each use different methods to find out who their candidates really are. The Lilly application includes in person and online processes. 

“Initally to apply,” Stillwell said, “you will fill out an application through the community foundation, and the application is online. You’ll just answer general questions about the classes that you’ve taken and what kind of service hours you have. Then you also have to write an additional essay on that online application. Then, people will look it over and they’ll pick people to be finalists. If you get picked as a finalist, then you’ll go to an in person interview.” 

“So we went in one night [for the in person interview],” Meyer said, “and it was like a five to 10 minute interview, just talking to the interviewers about who you are. They asked you a bunch of questions, trying to find out more about you.” 

A students extracurricular activities have one of the biggest impacts on their life. It can determine their friends, where they spend most of their time, and their character. Being in extracurriculars is such an amazing place to learn and grow.

“FCA has definitely taught me that everybody’s growth looks different,” Meyer said, “and that everybody reaches out at different times. Everybody’s going to experience life at a different times. But, even in this big place, and in these different times, we can all come together. It can be the one place that there really are people out there that do care about you and that do shine the love of God.”

“I’ve learned a lot from being in Anchor Club,” Stillwell said, “I’ve learned the most about leadership, and it’s really grown my leadership qualities and capabilities.” 

As they continue on their paths each scholar has goals they are working to accomplish. Through these goals they are planning to give back to the community that gave so much to them. 

“I hope to be getting my masters in five years,” Stillwell said, “I eventually want to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) in that, as of 2025 that requires you to get a doctorate. So in five years, I’ll probably still be in school and going strong.” 

“In five to ten years,” Meyer said, “I see myself probably at either an elementary teaching position or hopefully owning my own daycare. But I would love to be starting a family and be married and just building my life here.”  

This scholarship is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of. Come senior year each high schooler should watch out for the Lilly application. 

“To anyone who is thinking about applying for it next year,” Stillwell said, “do it. No matter what you think, if you think you’ll get it or not.”