Jayden Meredith named 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient

The Daviess County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Daviess County – Jayden Joseph Meredith of Washington High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Not only is Jayden at the top of his class academically, but his dedication to his school and community was also apparent in his application and interview. The nominating committee was honored to have the opportunity to meet Jayden and recommend him for this life-changing scholarship opportunity,” said Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Daviess County Community Foundation.

Jayden is the son of Matthew and Brenda Meredith. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a major in Pre-Medicine and eventually become an Anesthesiologist. Jayden plans to attend either Indiana University or the University of Notre Dame. In addition to excelling academically, he is active in a variety of school activities including Beta Club, Student Council, and Business Professionals of America. Jayden is also active in athletics, he has earned seven varsity letters and has been named Team Captain for Tennis, Baseball, and Basketball. He can also be found volunteering at youth sporting camps in the community.

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 undergraduate students studying on a full-time basis 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.

In determining Daviess County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominee, consideration was given to academic performance; community service and volunteer activities; personal statement of goals and essay; school activities, sports, and work experience; those advancing to phase two were scored on an impromptu essay; civic pride and interest; and an in-person interview by the LECSP Nominating 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.

“The Community Foundation was thoroughly impressed with the quality of applicants and their level of involvement, Daviess County has many outstanding young adults full of talent and drive,” said Hazelman. Scholarship award alternates were also announced, Braylee Knepp of Barr-Reeve High School was named the first alternate and Beth Graber of Barr-Reeve High School was named the second alternate.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $486 million. More than 5,000 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

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.