Tasha Cole THS	Hollie Puckett TCHS	Gabrielle Rayl TCHS
Hannah Tiña THS	Jessica Tolle THS	Evan Zahn TCHS

Two students have been named recipients of full-tuition, four-year scholarships as the Tipton County Foundation 2010 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. Lydia Hawkins and Cole Smith will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Twenty-eight Tipton County residents applied for these prestigious and valuable scholarships this year. Their applications were reviewed anonymously and independently by the Foundation’s scholarship committee, composed of education and business leaders, who selected eight candidates to be interviewed in person. The criteria included academics, leadership, community involvement, activities (including work and travel experiences), and an essay about their most significant accomplishment to date.

After completing the nomination process, the Tipton County Foundation submitted the finalists’ names to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for selection of the recipients. ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.

The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor’s degree. There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.

Thanks to the bequest of Howard N. Myerly, who established a significant George R. Myerly & Sons scholarship fund in memory of his grandfather, the Tipton County Foundation was able to grant Myerly Scholarships of $2,000 each to the remaining six finalists in the demanding LECSP process.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars

Lydia Hawkins is the daughter of Doug and Antonina Hawkins of Tipton. She will attend Valparaiso University majoring in psychology and ministry. Lydia is president of National Art Honor Society. She is member of the Varsity Volleyball team and of Tipton County 4-H in addition to playing the piano and singing in the St. John the Baptist church choir. Lydia plans to pursue her goal of becoming a counselor, youth minister, and wife.

Cole Smith is the son of Craig and Belinda Smith of Sharpsville. He will attend Butler University to major in pharmacy. Cole serves as the Tri-Central Senior Class President and is the founder of the Tri-Central Newscast. Also active in Student Ambassadors and SADD, Cole plans to seek a career in Pharmacy.

The 2010 Myerly Scholars are the following students:

Tasha Cole is the daughter of Rex and Amy Cole of Tipton. She plans to attend either Purdue or Butler University and major in biology or general health science as Pre-Med. Tasha has been involved with Hoosier Girls State, the Tipton High School swim team, in addition to serving as President of National Honor Society and Key Club and the Student Director of the THS Band. She plans to work toward her goal of becoming a pediatrician and ultimately opening her own local practice.

Hollie Puckett is the daughter of Bruce and Tracie Puckett of Sharpsville. She will be attending Ball State University as a nursing major this fall. She is the president of SADD and serves as the secretary of her senior class. Hollie was also a member of the cross country team, a delegate to Hoosier Girls State, and is a youth volunteer at her church. She plans to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse.

Gabrielle Rayl of Tipton is the daughter of Jay and Lori Rayl. She will be attending Ball State University as an Elementary Education major. She is a 10-year member of Tipton County 4-H, a varsity cheerleader, in National Honor Society and Student Council, and is a member of Liberty Baptist Church. Gabrielle’s plans include pursuing her goal of becoming a teacher.

Hannah Tiña is the daughter of Pam Tiña and Carlo Tiña of Tipton. She will attend either Hanover College or Purdue University to major in Political Science. Hannah is involved with National Honor Society, Our Lady of Grace Life Teen program, Tipton High School Speech and Debate Team, and Tipton Community Theatre.

Jessica Tolle is the daughter of Mark and Angie Tolle of Tipton. She will be attending Purdue University as an undecided major this fall. She is 10-year Tipton County 4-H member, the student director of the THS band, the Vice-President of key Club, and was a member of the tennis team. Jessica’s plans include graduate school.

Evan Zahn is the son of Bob and Cathy Zahn of Sharpsville. He plans to major in Pharmacy at Butler University. Evan serves as the student body president, a Student Ambassador, and is a member of National Honor Society, the soccer, basketball and gold teams.

Pioneer Family Establishes Permanent Legacy

The late Howard N. Myerly (1925-2004) and his wife Marjorie valued education. In planning his estate, Howard set up a means to provide scholarship opportunities for his neighbors' children for all time. Five generations earlier, in 1842, George Myerly and his wife Susannah, originally from Maryland, established a farm in eastern Tipton County. They took part in the official organization of the County. Their son Silas, his son George R., and his son Lee all continued farming, as did Lee's son Howard. Howard was also a die setter at the Guide Lamp Division of General Motors in Anderson for 32 years, retiring in 2000.

Howard made arrangements that, upon his death, the farm would be sold and the proceeds given to the Tipton County Foundation in honor of his grandfather, to provide an endowment that would assist in funding higher education for county high school graduates, forever.

According to TCF Scholarship chairman Lary Graves, "The size of this endowment is so noteworthy; it will produce a significant amount of money that can be awarded each year. We were pleased that Mr. Myerly's heirs agreed with us that the rigorous Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship selection process was the best way to determine who should receive the Myerly scholarships as well."

Tipton County Foundation Role

Through philanthropic donor services, strategic grantmaking, and constructive leadership, the Tipton County Foundation, your hometown community foundation, unites the gifts of many to sustain the causes that matter to all— now, and for all generations to come.

Founded and guided by Volunteers since 1986, the Foundation is a trustworthy enterprise to assist donors with any charitable purpose. TCF manages dozens of scholarship and other targeted funds, promotes the United Community Fund to sustain a network of social service agencies, coordinates Ducky Day in Tipton Park, and encourages higher education, volunteer involvement, and a host of other community benefits.

Contributions to the Tipton County Foundation are tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) and the public charity provisions of sections 509 and 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS recognized TCF in July 1986 as exempt from federal income tax. (Federal ID 31-1175045) Confirmed in compliance with national standards for U.S. community foundations. Member of the Indiana Association of United Ways. Visit www.tiptoncf.org or call 765-675-8480.

Last modified: Tuesday, June 15, 2010