Last Updated on December 6, 2018 by cassnetwork
The Cass County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Jack B. Kiser, a senior at Pioneer High School will receive a full tuition, four-year scholarship as the Cass County Community Foundation 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. He will receive not only full tuition to the Indiana college of his choice but also a $900 stipend each year for required books and equipment.
Jack is the son of Aaron and Deborah Kiser. The youngest of four children, he plans to attend Notre Dame University to pursue a degree in Business Analytics with a minor in Entrepreneurship & Marketing. His further aspirations include starting up his own business and being able to live close to home to continue the family farm business.
Jack, while being known in the area as an outstanding football player and athlete, is just as accomplished and prolific in academics. Ranked first in class, Jack has received the high honor roll designation every semester throughout his high school career and is a member of National Honor Society. He has lead his classmates as vice president three times and was elected president of his junior class. He is a member of student council, 4-H, and Pep Club.
An outstanding athlete, Jack has participated in football and track at Pioneer where he has lead the football team to two Class A State Championships, and a Class A State Runner-up title in 2016. He has been named as an Academic All-State Football player, All-Loganland Offensive Player of the Year, and an IFCA Top 50 Football Player. Jack has twice been a medalist at the IHSAA State Track and Field Meet and received the Fred Kinder Star of Stars Track and Field Award 2016-2018.
Jack has been chosen by his teammates to be team captain of the football and track teams multiple years. His leadership also extends into the community as an active volunteer at Pioneer High School, United Way, Web Chapel, Boone Township Library, and the youth football program.
Jack is the 10th recipient from Pioneer High School and the 38th Lilly Scholar for Cass County since the program began in 1998.
The Cass County Community Foundation received 26 applications for the 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Applicants were required to have a 3.5 or higher GPA plus submit other nomination materials. All identifying details, such as student’s name, gender, and school name, were removed from the applications prior to review. Six finalists were selected based solely on the criteria, which include academic ability, achievements, activities and citizenship. The finalists then participated in further review, which included writing an impromptu timed essay, followed by a face-to-face interview session with the selection committee. After completing the selection process, the CCCF Lilly Scholarship Committee submitted the applications of the 2019 nominee and alternates to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for final selection. Each finalist will receive an award directly from the Cass County Community Foundation in recognition of their outstanding, high achievement.
ICI is a non-profit corporation that represents thirty regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.
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, not-for-profit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
For more information on this award or the Cass County Community Foundation, please call 574-722-2200.
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Community Foundation