The Community Foundation of Howard County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Howard County – Carrie Potter of Kokomo High School and Porter Stone of Eastern High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
“Our Lilly Endowment Community Scholars exemplify the very best of our community's youth,” said Joe Dunbar, Chair of the Lilly Scholarship Committee at the Community Foundation. “Their academic achievements, demonstrated leadership skills, and commitment to community service set them apart. These scholars not only excel in the classroom but also show a genuine passion for making a positive impact in their communities.
“The nominating committee was particularly impressed by their ability to balance rigorous studies with meaningful extracurricular involvement and volunteer work. We are confident that these exceptional young individuals will continue to be catalysts for positive change as they pursue their higher education goals in Indiana.”
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.
Carrie Potter, daughter of Polly Potter, is a Kokomo High School student graduating with an Academic Honors diploma. She has been a member of the school orchestra since her freshman year, and she served as Violin Section Leader for the past three years. Carrie is also a member of the National Honor Society and has contributed to sports management for both the wrestling and volleyball programs.
In addition to her leadership roles, Carrie tutors younger students in math and violin and worked part-time at MOD Pizza as a customer service team member. She plans to attend Indiana University – Bloomington and major in biology.
Porter, son of Heidi Morrow, is an Eastern High School student graduating with an Academic Honors diploma. He has served as both Vice President and President of the Eastern High School Key Club which is a high school community service club focused on serving the local community. Additionally, Porter has contributed as an assistant for the middle school band and orchestra. His musical talents extend to serving as a musician at Here’s Hope Church during the evening youth group. He currently works at Sound of Music as a customer service representative. Porter plans to attend Purdue University and major in engineering.
In determining Howard County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given academic achievement, activities in and out of school, potential for success, financial need, if the student is a 1st generation college student and an interview by the Community Foundation of Howard County Lilly Scholarship Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.
“It’s a pleasure for us to engage with the talented students of Howard County as they pursue their higher education goals.” Said Todd Moser, President of the Community Foundation of Howard County. “The thorough application process provides us with a unique window into the exceptional qualities of Howard County's graduating class of 2025. All of us at the Community Foundation extend our warmest congratulations to Carrie and Porter!”
Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program.