The Daviess County Community Foundation announces the distribution of community scholarships totaling $98,700. This year, funds established by generous donors provided scholarships to 31 area students. The scholarship luncheon for fund founders, recipients, and parents was held Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Washington Community Building. In addition to announcing the recipients, the Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact, Laura Hazelman states, “The Daviess County Community Foundation is thankful to our generous fund founders and donors who make these scholarship awards possible. Their investment in the education of our young people has impacted each of these students. The process of choosing who will be awarded scholarships is undertaken with dedication and discipline by a committee of Daviess County Community Foundation Advisory Board and community volunteers. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication. The process is never easy because our Daviess County students are exceptional.” The scholarships awarded: Derek Ray Arvin Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by the family of Derek Ray Arvin, class of 2014, to benefit a Washington High School graduating senior. Along with several other factors, the selection is based on financial need, the applicant’s level of athletic involvement, and their participation in a faith community. This year’s award is $2,500 and the recipient is Liberty Holtsclaw. Ronald Todd Beasley Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established in memory of Ronald Todd Beasley by his parents, Ronald Lee and Diane Beasley; his brother, Dr. Harley Scott Beasley; and friends. Applicants must be graduating seniors of North Daviess High School who demonstrate qualities associated with good moral character and citizenship. This year’s $2,500 award recipient is Brynlee Perkins. Ronald Frette and Ann Frette 4-H Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the Daviess County 4-H Club Association in honor of long-time supporters, Ronald and Ann Frette. Daviess County residents who are graduates of a Daviess County high school and pursuing post-secondary undergraduate studies or training may apply. Applicants must have participated in a Daviess County 4-H program for at least five years, completed at least two 4-H projects during each of those years, and maintained a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average during high school. Applicants must also demonstrate personal interest in and a positive attitude toward continuing their education and demonstrate good moral character. This year’s recipient is Jordan Remsburg, Purdue University, and Reid Morris, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology. They will each be awarded $3,000. Steven L. Gines College Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by friends of Steven L. Gines in his memory. It is open to graduating seniors of Washington High School who have completed college preparatory classes in high school and have been involved in the arts. This year’s $600 award recipient is Eliana Sellers. GPC Washington Employees Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the employees of Kent-Grain Processing Corporation in Washington to encourage the dependants of employees to further their education, to recognize the academic achievement of those graduating from high school and continuing their education, and to motivate recipients to achieve maximum scholastic and vocational potential. This year there are three recipients each receiving $3,000: Ellie Reed, University of Southern Indiana; Trey Reed, Oakland City University; and Hayleigh Cummins, Valparaiso University. David K. Lynch Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Cathleen M. (Lynch) Kendall in memory of her husband. Graduating seniors of any Daviess County high school who attended Lena Dunn Elementary School may apply. This year’s $700 award recipient is Rosicela Serrano, Washington Catholic High School. McCall Family Teachers Scholarship is a scholarship established by the John and Anna McCall Trust Fund to provide scholarships to graduates of North Daviess High School who are pursuing a career in teaching with an emphasis in fine arts or elementary education. This year the $700 scholarship was awarded to Erica Kemp. McKinley Vance Agri-Business Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Lucile Vance in memory of her husband. Graduating seniors of Daviess County high schools with a scholastic rank in the upper third of their class may apply. Applicants must have participated in 4-H for at least four years and be pursuing a degree in the field of agriculture. This year the $2,000 scholarship was awarded to Jordan Remsburg, Purdue University. North Daviess Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by the North Daviess Academic Opportunity Alliance (formerly known as North Daviess Dollars for Scholars Program) to help North Daviess students pursue advanced education. Applicants must be graduating seniors of North Daviess High School planning to pursue a degree at any accredited 2- or 4-year educational institution or trade school. This year there are four recipients each receiving $1,000: Brynlee Perkins, Travis Raber, Maxwell Toy, and Lily Graber. German American Bancorp Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by the former Peoples National Bank of Washington. It is open to seniors from any Daviess County high school with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average planning to major in a business-related course of study. Selection is based on academics and leadership skills. The $2,000 award recipient is Elle Knepp, Barr-Reeve High School. Jo Ann Shawhan Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by John Shawhan in memory of his wife Jo Ann to benefit Daviess County students pursuing a nursing degree at Vincennes University. This year’s recipients are Madison Brunson, Barr-Reeve $1,800; Lily Graber, North Daviess $1,500; Brynlee Perkins, North Daviess $1,500; and Carter Jessie, North Daviess $1,200. Dwight Risley Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Martha Risley Reiners in memory of her husband. The fund typically awards multiple graduating seniors of any Daviess County high school for tuition, books, and required fees of post-secondary education. Applicants must demonstrate good scholastic standing and financial need. This year there are nine recipients: Brynlee Perkins, North Daviess $6,000; Elle Knepp, Barr-Reeve $5,250; Liberty Holtsclaw, Washington High School $5,250; Mariah Brunson, Barr-Reeve $3,750; Brooklyn Wagler, North Daviess $3,750; Alli Robinson, Barr-Reeve $2,500; Akaysha Stoll, Barr-Reeve $2,500; Kennedy Sinnott, Barr-Reeve $2,000; and Adeline Jarrett, Barr-Reeve $2,000. Marilyn L. Wallace Scholarship is an annual scholarship established in memory of Marilyn Wallace by her husband Lewis and her daughter Marcia McConnell. Graduating North Daviess High School seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary education in health or health-related fields are eligible for this award. This year’s $700 recipient is Brooklyn Wagler. Charles and Maxine Williams Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by the Estate of Maxine Williams in memory of Charles and Maxine to benefit North Daviess High School graduating seniors. Applicants must be planning to pursue a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year educational institution or trade school. This year’s recipients are Brynlee Perkins, $1,800; Travis Raber, $1,200; Lily Graber, $1,200; Luke Graber, $900; and Maxwell Toy, $900. Fraternal Order of Police Washington Lodge 101 Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Lodge 101 of the Washington Indiana Fraternal Order of Police. The recipient must be planning to pursue a degree in Law enforcement or a related field. This year’s award is $2,000 and the recipient is Owen McCracken, Barr-Reeve High School. Lawrell Ray Hilgeman Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Veale Creek Players in memory of Lawrell Ray Hilgeman. Applicants must have been involved in productions featured at the Veale Creek Theatre in Washington. This year’s recipients are Madelyn Jones, Washington High School $1,250; and Azeria Ackerman, Seekers of Truth $750. Sheldon Matthew Smith Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Gregory A. and Natalie J. Smith in memory of their son, Sheldon (1993-2006). Graduating seniors from Washington High School or Washington Catholic High School planning a degree in writing, computer graphics, computer game design, computer art design, computer animation, computer programming, and/or web design are eligible to apply. This year’s award is $1,000, and the recipient is Cassie Dillon, Washington High School. William and Mary Summers Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Phillip M. Summers and William E. Summers in memory of their parents. Graduating seniors from Washington High School planning full-time enrollment at Vincennes University majoring in Business or Education are eligible. This year’s $1,000 recipient is Cassie Dillon. Ray L. Angerer Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Westminster Presbyterian Church in memory of Ray L. Angerer. Applicants must be communicant members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington, IN. This year’s recipient, Shelby Norris, will be awarded $2,000. Daviess County Community Foundation Scholarship This year, 22 students applied for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, and as in years past, the Daviess County Community Foundation awards scholarships to students who are the first and second alternates for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship and other finalists. The scholarships are made possible by donors to the Friends of Daviess County endowment fund. The total amount awarded this year is $15,000. The recipients are First Alternate, Mariah Brunson, Barr-Reeve High School $5,000; Second Alternate, Adeline Jarrett, Barr-Reeve High School $3,000. The following finalists will each receive $1,000: Audrey Jerger, Washington Catholic; Brooklyn Wagler, North Daviess; Elijah Parsons, Washington; Brynlee Perkins, North Daviess; Kennedy Sinnott, Barr-Reeve; Shakira Wagler, Barr-Reeve; and Carter Jessie, North Daviess. Katie Raber of Barr-Reeve High School is the 2024 Daviess County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient. She will receive a full-tuition scholarship to the Indiana college of her choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. The Daviess County Community Foundation accepted applications and a volunteer selection committee made up of community leaders completed the review process for this award with final selections being made by Independent Colleges of Indiana. The Daviess County Community Foundation would like to say thank you to the parents, family members, teachers, school administrators, coaches, mentors, and everyone who has inspired these students to be the very best they can be. Congratulations to these outstanding students and their families. We wish you the best as you pursue your college degrees and future opportunities.

Friends for Kids of Daviess County recently received a $1,000 grant from the Daviess County Community Foundation through the Daviess Gives Grant Program. The Daviess Gives Grant Program allows Daviess County Community Foundation advisory board members to recommend $1,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation was made by Amy Matteson for general support of Friends for Kids of Daviess County. For more information about funding opportunities through the Daviess County Community Foundation, contact Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, at 812-890-4469 or via email lhazelman@communityfoundationalliance.org . Pictured: Amy Matteson, Daviess County Community Foundation Advisory Board member; and David Self, Friends for Kids of Daviess County board member.