WCHS's Boyle Named A 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Today is Sarah Boyle’s 18th birthday. At 9 a.m. today, she also found out she was one of two recipients of four-year, full-tuition scholarships to the Indiana colleges of their choice as the Kosciusko County 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The other Scholar is Tippecanoe Valley High School senior Nolan Sponseller. Boyle is a senior at Warsaw Community High School. She is in the top 10 percent of her graduating class. She plans to major in nursing at Purdue University and hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Finding out she received the scholarship on her birthday was an “extra special surprise,” Sarah said after the announcement. “I’m shocked and overwhelmed and excited,” Sarah said. “It’s a complete surprise. I didn’t think I had everything it took. I thought I had several pieces of the puzzle. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong.” Her parents, Patrick and Shari Boyle, were just as thrilled as Sarah was. “I’m just so proud of her and elated, and thank you to everyone who created this endowment and provided the opportunity for these kids,” Shari said. “It’s a total surprise,” Patrick said. “She’s been a harder worker and determined since she was a little girl. We’re proud of her.” According to information provided by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, “The committee was impressed with Boyle’s community service, which included designing and managing the first-ever local color run for an area nonprofit that provides physical therapy to children. The event raised $15,000.” Boyle is a member of National Honor Society, through which she serves as a tutor. Among her many school and community activities, she’s been a four-year member of the Octagon Club, three-year member of varsity soccer, four-year member of girls tennis and serves on her school’s student athletic board. Her volunteer activities include helping with cancer fundraisers and monthly work with an area soup kitchen. She also has work experience as a tennis instructor. Boyle’s references were excellent, according to the KCCF information. In Kosciusko County, the Community Foundation recommends recipients of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship to Independent Colleges of Indiana for final selection. The process is “blind” in that committee members do not have access to student names when reviewing applications. Consideration for the scholarship is given to academics, community services, extracurricular involvement, work experience, references and essay responses. ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state. The scholarships are a 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 age 25 with a bachelor’s degree. There were 143 scholarships awarded statewide, the KCCF information states.
