RCCF Announces 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Winner

The recipient receives full-tuition to the Indiana college or university of their choice.

Elena Kuisel received Ripley County's 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient on Thursday. Photo by Ripley County Community Foundation. 

(Batesville, Ind.) – Batesville senior Elena Kuisel is Ripley County’s 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient.

Kuisel, the daughter of Jason and Emiko Kuisel, was among five finalists for the full-tuition scholarship.  

At Batesville High School, Kuisel has been a member of the Kiwanis Student Leadership Academy, National Honor Society and student council as Vice President. She also captained the soccer team.

As the winner, Kuisel will receive full-tuition for four years to an Indiana College of the recipient’s choice, plus a $900 per year book stipend.

The other four finalists will each receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Ripley County Community Foundation for their freshman year, the Grateful Family Scholarship in their sophomore year, and the Jane Deiwert Scholarship in their junior year.

The other finalists were Mary Blankman (EC), Hailee Grooms (Batesville), Claire Saner (Batesville), and Madison Wanstrath (Batesville).

The field of candidates, through an anonymous process, was narrowed to five finalists by a ten-member committee made up of representatives from each of the five public school corporations serving Ripley County. They scored applicants on academic performance, citizenship, leadership, and personal attitude based on community involvement, school activities, and work experience.