Recently, 18 high school students in Lake County, Ind. have qualified as finalists for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship through the Legacy Foundation.
According to the Scholarship’s website, the program is designed to help raise importance for higher education in Indiana and works to create opportunities for Indiana high school students to attend college after graduation.
“Legacy Foundation is proud to work with Independent Colleges of Indiana to award six Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships to #LakeCounty seniors. 18 students representing different Lake County high schools are currently finalists,” said the Legacy Foundation Facebook page. “To date, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship has provided nearly 5,000 scholarships to Indiana high school seniors to attend any public or private university in the state. Legacy Foundation is proud to work with Independent Colleges of Indiana to be the provider in Lake County.”
Read on to learn more about the kids in our area who have qualified:
Elyanah Goodall - Lowell Senior High School
Goodall has been involved with a number of extracurriculars at school, including the track team, student council, and peer mentoring other students during her senior year.
“She works part time and wants to major in teaching with a possible minor in nursing,” said the Legacy Foundation’s Facebook page.
Ethan Park - Munster High School
Park has obtained a variety of titles during his time at Munster, including a scholar athlete for tennis, Varsity World Schools Debater, and Vice President of Finance in DECA. He is also an active volunteer in Project X, instructing tennis, and a youth group member at his church.
“Ethan plans on majoring in management information systems with a minor in finance,” said the Facebook page
Jasmin LaVine - Whiting High School
At Whiting, LaVine is captain of the cheer team, director of Senior One Acts, and has been in the drama club for almost six years. She has her own freelance graphic design business and wants to act in small productions.
“She wants to major in graphic design with a minor in acting/theatre,” said the Facebook page.
Emma Ramirez - Hobart High School
“Emma is the manager for her school's football team while also assisting in student athletic training. She has participated in cheerleading and cross-country during her initial years of high school. She is a member of her student council and the National Honors Society. Emma also was a marketing coordinator for a telethon talent show fundraiser for Riley Children's Hospital,” said the Facebook page.
Once Ramirez graduates from high school, she plans on majoring in journalism and minoring in history, english, and/or philosophy.
Rebecca Rzeszut - Highland High School
At Highland, Rzeszut is involved with a number of clubs including varsity choir, president of the Girl Up Club, team director for Youth Advocacy, and a member of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra.
“Rebecca plans to major in religion and minor in Japanese,” said the Facebook page
Jessica Alanis - Hammond Academy of Science & Technology (HAST)
Alanis is the president of her school’s student council/senior committee. She is also in the National Technical Honors Society.
“Her major is undecided; however, she wants a minor in Spanish,” said the Facebook page.
YaMenyce Harris - Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
“She has been a part of Upward Bound Trio's college program the past four years! She continues to contribute countless acts of community service including: local church food drives, and youth mentor of Boys & Girls Club,” said the Facebook page.
Harris intends to major in pre-med with a minor in biology or chemistry when she begins college.
George Winfield - Calumet New Tech High School
“George is team captain of the football team and a motivationally driven person” said the Facebook page.
Winfield wishes to pursue social work in college and wants to become an advocate for the foster care system.
Jennifer Martinez - Griffith High School
Martinez is the sound manager and technical officer of Griffith's theatre company. In addition, she is an associate member of the Best Buddies and International Cultures club.
“Jennifer plans to major in dental hygiene with a minor in Spanish, and wants to become a physician's assistant,” said the Facebook page.
Grecia Alcantar - East Chicago Central High School
“Grecia is captain of her soccer team, a member of the unified track and field team, participates in Spanish club and part of the National Technical Honors Society,” said the Facebook page.
Alcantar plans to major in sociology and minor in ethnic or women's studies when she begins college.
Mikayla Sanders - West Side Leadership Academy
Sanders has been involved with West Side’s band's dance team for the past three years.
“Mikayla plans to major in psychology with a minor in interior design or something pertaining to the business field. She dreams of becoming a clinical psychologist,” said the Facebook page.
Eathan Faust - River Forest High School
Faust is the captain of his school’s tennis team and has participated in multiple academic teams including spell bowl, academic super bowl, and academia cup. He also conducted and aided research for a professor around synthetic microfibers within the environment over the summer.
“Eathan plans on majoring in engineering and obtaining a minor in environmental chemistry,” said the Facebook page.
Kiersten Stowe - Merrillville High School
“She is team captain of her academic super bowl and quiz bowl! Kiersten is part of the National Honors and International Thespian Society all while she participates in her school's string and jazz orchestra. She is treasurer of the French club and is on the varsity track team,” said the Facebook page.
In college, Stowe wants to double major in psychology and economics.
Nathan Faraher - Hanover Central High School
“Nathan is captain of Hanover's school-based shooting sports team. He is also president of his thespian society and played in the marching band for four years! Nathan is part of the National Honors Society and a member of his student council,” said the Facebook page
Faraher’s major is currently undecided.
Omar Enayah - Crown Point High School
“Omar is a member of Crown Point's ‘Cure’ kindness club. He works at his local gym as a lifeguard and swim instructor to teach children water skill and safety,” said the Facebook page
Enayah’s career goal is to join the medical field as a cardiologist and will major in biology in college.
Abigail Wojtaszek - Bishop Noll Institute
“Abigail is Bishop Noll's drama club president and International Thespian Officer. She serves her church community in a variety of ways and represents BNI with the Diocese of Gary as a Youth Council member,” said the Facebook page.
In college, Wojtaszek plans to double major in musical theatre and political science.
For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, visit https://lillyendowment.org/for-grantseekers/lilly-endowment-community-scholarship-program/. For more information on the Legacy Foundation, visit https://legacyfdn.org/.