Warrick County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Warrick County: Annabelle Fox, Boonville High School and Vrinda Sheel, Castle High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. "All of this year’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program recipients from Warrick County exemplify excellence both in and beyond the classroom. Their dedication to academics, community engagement, and leadership stood out throughout the scholarship process, reflecting a level of maturity and purpose well beyond their years," said Alysia Rhinefort, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). "I am so incredibly grateful to be among those selected for this scholarship. This not only financially supports me and my family, but inspires me to continue serving others, pursuing academic excellence, and impacting my community. My future plans include attending Purdue University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in chemical or environmental engineering," said Annabelle Fox, Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. In nominating Warrick County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, the committee considered academic ability, community involvement, extracurricular activities, work experience, honors and awards, personal statement and goals, essay, and impromptu essay and interview. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection. Since its inception in 1997-1998, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are: To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana. To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play. To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide. About the Warrick Community Foundation Established in 1998, the Warrick County Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Warrick County today and for generations to come. One of nine county affiliates of the Community Foundation Alliance, the Community Foundation exists to help caring people give back to the causes and community they care about most. The Community Foundation Alliance is a 501(c)(3) public charity accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® (National Standards) program representing operational effectiveness to foster excellence in community philanthropy. Since the inception of this program, the Community Foundation Alliance has consistently achieved National Standards accreditation. The Community Foundation Alliance provides management, administrative, and development expertise and services so that every local affiliate can focus on promoting philanthropy, building endowment, and grantmaking, making a difference in their community For Good. Forever. About Lilly Endowment Inc. Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana. About Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for Indiana’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates and produce 30% of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20% of its undergraduates.