Hoffert Is 1st Of 2 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients
December 13, 2022 at 1:27 a.m.
Hoffert Is 1st Of 2 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients
By David [email protected]
Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) CEO Stephanie Overbey and her staff surprised Ryun Hoffert, son of Drs. David and Rachael Hoffert, with the scholarship announcement at the high school with his brothers, parents, grandparents and numerous school officials surrounding him.
The second recipient, Whitko High School senior Jordyn Leininger, was to be surprised with the scholarship at about 9 a.m. today, Tuesday, Dec. 13. A story on the announcement for her will appear in Wednesday’s newspaper.
KCCF recommends two recipients of the Lilly Scholarship each year.
When selecting the two recipients for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, committee members do a blind review of the applications.
Committee members evaluate the applications based on academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement, work experience, references and essay responses. The committee does not know who the applicants are until the finalists have been chosen. Once the committee selects the finalists, the KCCF submits the two applicants to Independent Colleges of Indiana, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, for the final selection of recipients.
The scholarship provides full tuition, fees and an allocation for books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
In announcing Ryun as a Lilly Scholar, Overbey said Ryun is a stellar student with big dreams. He was an active track team member and served on Teen Court, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Tiger Leadership Council, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and more. He worked at Baker Youth Club and interned for Judge Karin McGrath, among other positions. He will graduate in May with honors.
A significant part of Ryun’s story revolves around empathy, she said, beginning at home.
“I have been blessed to grow up in a family that is dedicated to helping people in need by making a positive impact. The foster care and adoption processes made my family whole, and opened my eyes to the needs of vulnerable people,” Ryun wrote in one of his scholarship application essays shared by Overbey.
He also wrote about his battle to overcome a severe case of speech apraxia. He was diagnosed at age 2 and spent his elementary and early high school years overcoming that challenge. His determination led him to qualify and participate in a speech competition in Washington, D.C. “My speech challenges fostered empathy within me for those experiencing hardships in their lives,” he said.
More than anything, Overbey said, Ryun wants the ability to impact vulnerable people directly and positively. After high school, he plans to pursue a degree in law. In his essay, he said, “Due to my experiences with family and underserved populations, my career goal is to pursue law and become a public defender. I desire to be a guiding light for clients in a world that may have communicated they are the sum of their choices.”
Ryun is already well on his way, Overbey said. “‘He is dependable, conscientious, honest and a hard worker,’ one of your coaches said. A school administrator said, ‘He’s one of the most vibrant students I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and he possesses high character and a solid moral compass.’ I know that all of the people in this room want to join me in congratulating you on being the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar,” she concluded.
“Thank you so much. This means a lot,” Ryun said.
Troy Akers, WCHS principal, said Warsaw Community Schools has been “so blessed” by the Foundation to have a number of students receive the Lilly Scholarship over the years.
Dr. David Hoffert, WCS superintendent, told his son, “Ryun, we’re just so proud of you. We’re so proud of you. We’ve watched you grow to be an excellent brother. We’re just so proud of you as your parents. We couldn’t be more proud. We turn around and every time you teach us every day. You teach us every day, and you’re such an incredible hard worker. Again, we couldn’t be more happier for you. You earned this. Congratulations.”
Ryun’s brother Robinson said it was “crazy” and he kind of already knew he’d get the scholarship. He congratulated Ryun.
Athletic Secretary Leslie Jackson said the athletic department was just honored they got to call Ryun “a part of us because you’re a great example for Warsaw in the athletic department. Congratulations.”
Tim Devlin, sophomore class principal, told Ryun he’s a bit taller than he was in seventh grade when he coached him and he is so proud of him.
“You represent this better than anyone else I know, so congratulations! It’s well deserved,” Devlin said.
Senior Class Principal Leah Sprunger also offered her congratulations. “You’re a wonderful example of what it means to be a Warsaw Tiger. So, thank you for what you’ve contributed,” she said.
Carol Hoffert, Ryun’s grandmother, said, “We love you so much. So proud of you and we’ve watched you grow. We remember even the apraxia problems and when you had trouble pronouncing words, and how far you’ve come in every way. You’re such a leader. We’re so proud of you.”
Greg Hoffert, his grandfather, said it was due to his hard work. “You’re a diligent worker,” Carol agreed.
After the announcement, in a short interview, Ryun said he was pretty surprised.
“I was very surprised. I, honestly, didn’t think I would be chosen,” he said. “This is really exciting. I can’t wait to go to college and study for four years and then come back and serve this community, too. I really want to come back and serve this community as a public defender.”
He may attend college at Anderson University.
“Now that I have this scholarship, I’m going to visit quite a few more colleges and I’ll decide from there. It’s really opening up a lot of doors I didn’t know existed,” Ryun said.
As to why he wants to study law and be a public defender, Ryun explained, “I’ve always been really good at history and stuff around it, so it’s made a lot of sense to me going in to college because history, political science all really connect with law, and then my passion to help the underserved, in our community especially.”
He said his internship in McGrath’s office really reinforced his desire to be a public defender and work on a one-to-one basis with people who haven’t had the opportunities that he’s had.
Dr. Rachael Hoffert said she was shocked when the announcement was made Monday morning.
She said, “When I sat there, I thought we were talking to Anderson University. I thought he was going to interview for the Honors Program, which I think he still will, but then to see everybody walk in, it just brought some tears to my eyes. I’m so proud of him. He’s dedicated. He works so hard, and he just has a heart of empathy, and that’s what I want to see in all of our kids, and so we’re so proud of Ryun.”
Ryun really enjoyed his internship with McGrath, she said.
“And just seeing our system and how it works, he feels really called to come back and possibly be a public defender. He’s going to study law and that is where he wants to head. He just has a heart. He wants to help others, and that’s kind of the way he wants to do it,” Rachael said.
Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) CEO Stephanie Overbey and her staff surprised Ryun Hoffert, son of Drs. David and Rachael Hoffert, with the scholarship announcement at the high school with his brothers, parents, grandparents and numerous school officials surrounding him.
The second recipient, Whitko High School senior Jordyn Leininger, was to be surprised with the scholarship at about 9 a.m. today, Tuesday, Dec. 13. A story on the announcement for her will appear in Wednesday’s newspaper.
KCCF recommends two recipients of the Lilly Scholarship each year.
When selecting the two recipients for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, committee members do a blind review of the applications.
Committee members evaluate the applications based on academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement, work experience, references and essay responses. The committee does not know who the applicants are until the finalists have been chosen. Once the committee selects the finalists, the KCCF submits the two applicants to Independent Colleges of Indiana, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, for the final selection of recipients.
The scholarship provides full tuition, fees and an allocation for books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
In announcing Ryun as a Lilly Scholar, Overbey said Ryun is a stellar student with big dreams. He was an active track team member and served on Teen Court, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Tiger Leadership Council, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and more. He worked at Baker Youth Club and interned for Judge Karin McGrath, among other positions. He will graduate in May with honors.
A significant part of Ryun’s story revolves around empathy, she said, beginning at home.
“I have been blessed to grow up in a family that is dedicated to helping people in need by making a positive impact. The foster care and adoption processes made my family whole, and opened my eyes to the needs of vulnerable people,” Ryun wrote in one of his scholarship application essays shared by Overbey.
He also wrote about his battle to overcome a severe case of speech apraxia. He was diagnosed at age 2 and spent his elementary and early high school years overcoming that challenge. His determination led him to qualify and participate in a speech competition in Washington, D.C. “My speech challenges fostered empathy within me for those experiencing hardships in their lives,” he said.
More than anything, Overbey said, Ryun wants the ability to impact vulnerable people directly and positively. After high school, he plans to pursue a degree in law. In his essay, he said, “Due to my experiences with family and underserved populations, my career goal is to pursue law and become a public defender. I desire to be a guiding light for clients in a world that may have communicated they are the sum of their choices.”
Ryun is already well on his way, Overbey said. “‘He is dependable, conscientious, honest and a hard worker,’ one of your coaches said. A school administrator said, ‘He’s one of the most vibrant students I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and he possesses high character and a solid moral compass.’ I know that all of the people in this room want to join me in congratulating you on being the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar,” she concluded.
“Thank you so much. This means a lot,” Ryun said.
Troy Akers, WCHS principal, said Warsaw Community Schools has been “so blessed” by the Foundation to have a number of students receive the Lilly Scholarship over the years.
Dr. David Hoffert, WCS superintendent, told his son, “Ryun, we’re just so proud of you. We’re so proud of you. We’ve watched you grow to be an excellent brother. We’re just so proud of you as your parents. We couldn’t be more proud. We turn around and every time you teach us every day. You teach us every day, and you’re such an incredible hard worker. Again, we couldn’t be more happier for you. You earned this. Congratulations.”
Ryun’s brother Robinson said it was “crazy” and he kind of already knew he’d get the scholarship. He congratulated Ryun.
Athletic Secretary Leslie Jackson said the athletic department was just honored they got to call Ryun “a part of us because you’re a great example for Warsaw in the athletic department. Congratulations.”
Tim Devlin, sophomore class principal, told Ryun he’s a bit taller than he was in seventh grade when he coached him and he is so proud of him.
“You represent this better than anyone else I know, so congratulations! It’s well deserved,” Devlin said.
Senior Class Principal Leah Sprunger also offered her congratulations. “You’re a wonderful example of what it means to be a Warsaw Tiger. So, thank you for what you’ve contributed,” she said.
Carol Hoffert, Ryun’s grandmother, said, “We love you so much. So proud of you and we’ve watched you grow. We remember even the apraxia problems and when you had trouble pronouncing words, and how far you’ve come in every way. You’re such a leader. We’re so proud of you.”
Greg Hoffert, his grandfather, said it was due to his hard work. “You’re a diligent worker,” Carol agreed.
After the announcement, in a short interview, Ryun said he was pretty surprised.
“I was very surprised. I, honestly, didn’t think I would be chosen,” he said. “This is really exciting. I can’t wait to go to college and study for four years and then come back and serve this community, too. I really want to come back and serve this community as a public defender.”
He may attend college at Anderson University.
“Now that I have this scholarship, I’m going to visit quite a few more colleges and I’ll decide from there. It’s really opening up a lot of doors I didn’t know existed,” Ryun said.
As to why he wants to study law and be a public defender, Ryun explained, “I’ve always been really good at history and stuff around it, so it’s made a lot of sense to me going in to college because history, political science all really connect with law, and then my passion to help the underserved, in our community especially.”
He said his internship in McGrath’s office really reinforced his desire to be a public defender and work on a one-to-one basis with people who haven’t had the opportunities that he’s had.
Dr. Rachael Hoffert said she was shocked when the announcement was made Monday morning.
She said, “When I sat there, I thought we were talking to Anderson University. I thought he was going to interview for the Honors Program, which I think he still will, but then to see everybody walk in, it just brought some tears to my eyes. I’m so proud of him. He’s dedicated. He works so hard, and he just has a heart of empathy, and that’s what I want to see in all of our kids, and so we’re so proud of Ryun.”
Ryun really enjoyed his internship with McGrath, she said.
“And just seeing our system and how it works, he feels really called to come back and possibly be a public defender. He’s going to study law and that is where he wants to head. He just has a heart. He wants to help others, and that’s kind of the way he wants to do it,” Rachael said.
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