The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is proud to announce Ian Kyle, Aaliyah Moran, and Kathryn Muchnick are the 2021 recipients of the Vanderburgh County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships.
The scholarship provides recipients with otherwise unreimbursed full-tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Ian is the son of Greg and Shellie Kyle of Haubstadt. He is a senior at Signature School and plans to study Neuroscience and Biology in order to pursue a career as a Neurosurgeon. In addition to exceling academically, Ian has participated in the Model UN and Mock Trial competitions. He also served as the Managing Editor and Editor-in Chief of his school newspaper. He is an active member of his church and has volunteered with SWIRCA, the YMCA, and Mesker Park Zoo. He is also active in scouting holding numerous leadership positions in his troop and achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Aaliyah is the granddaughter of Timothy and Jennifer Moran of Evansville. She attended Reitz Memorial High School and is completing her senior year at the EVSC Virtual Academy. She is planning to study Law and practice law internationally. In addition to her academic excellence, Aaliyah has participated in Speech, Key Club, Tiger Pride, Tigerettes, Track, and Drama along with competing in the Academic Superbowl and Decathlon. She is a Sunday school leader at her church, and volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity.
Kathryn is the daughter of Marc and Gretchen Muchnick of Evansville. She is a senior at Signature School and is interested in a career in Law, Journalism or Education. She served as Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief of her school newspaper, along with participating in the Spanish Club, Student Council, String Orchestra, National Honor Society, Teenpower and Math Club. She is a member of the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and serves on the Teen Advisory Council and Teen Court for Youth Resources. She also volunteers by teaching Spanish at the YMCA.
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship award alternates are Emma Elfreich, a senior at Mater Dei High School; Mariah Fulton, a senior at Signature School; and Leslie Martin, a senior at Central High School.
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is administered locally by the Community Foundation, with the support of local high schools, and the administrative oversight by the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI). Since the program was first introduced in 1998, Lilly Endowment Inc. has provided over $424M in grant support for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program.
The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.