Congratulations to Mt. Vernon High School seniors Natalie Hudson and Maya Morales who were selected as finalists for the annual Lilly Endowment Scholarship through the Community Foundation of Hancock County (CFHC). Each year, two seniors are selected from the four Hancock County high schools for this prestigious scholarship. Out of these eight seniors, two lucky students will be chosen to receive the scholarship. The Lilly Scholarship is one of the most esteemed awards available to Indiana high school seniors, offering a full-tuition scholarship to an accredited Indiana college or university. Each year, thousands of students from across the state compete for this opportunity, but only a select few become finalists.

To become qualifiers for this highly esteemed scholarship, Natalie and Maya proved their academic excellence by being in the top 15% of their graduating class while also displaying their extensive involvement in the community. 

Natalie Hudson, pictured on the right, has dedicated much of her time and energy to serving others in her community. Over the past three years, she has been an active member of Best Buddies, taking on the roles of both secretary and president. In her leadership positions, she has made a lasting impact on fostering friendships and inclusion for individuals. Additionally, Natalie has contributed to the development of young athletes as a cheerleading coach at Mt. Vernon, teaching youth both the fundamentals and advanced stunts of cheerleading. Beyond sports, she has addressed food insecurity by assisting with local food distribution efforts, helping to ensure that families in need have access to essential resources.

As the manager of the boys' basketball team and a member of the Marauder Mentors program, Natalie continues to be an integral part of her school community. Through a work-study program, she also works at Fortville Elementary in the essential skills room, further demonstrating her commitment to helping others and fostering a positive environment for students. Looking toward the future, Natalie is set to attend the University of Indianapolis, where she plans to major in psychology and pursue a career in occupational therapy, continuing her passion for helping others and making a meaningful difference in their lives.

Maya Morales, pictured on the left, has been an active member of the Y-GIVE youth board for the Community Foundation of Hancock County since her sophomore year. The focus of Y-GIVE is community service and leadership, and through this program, Maya has volunteered at Head Start and participated in Match Day and Regreening in Greenfield. Over the summer, she went on two mission trips with an organization called Youth with a Mission. During these two mission trips to Mazatlán, Mexico, Maya helped build homes, distribute meals, and provide healthcare to those in need. In addition to her community service, Maya has been heavily involved in the high school athletic department. She currently works part-time and volunteers for the Mt. Vernon High School Athletic Booster Club where she has helped sell merchandise and raise funds for school programs. Maya also serves as the girls' basketball manager.

Maya is a dedicated member of the National Honor Society (NHS), where she has contributed community service at the Vernon Township Library and Mt. Vernon Community Schools. As the Executive President of the Student Government, a position she has held since her sophomore year, Maya demonstrates strong leadership skills. She is also involved in Best Buddies, Marauder Mentor, and the English Academic Team. Maya plans to attend Butler University, where she intends to major in business law and aspires to become a corporate lawyer.

The MVCSC Board of Trustees meeting formally recognized both finalists and shared their personal journeys. Mt. Vernon High School had nominated both students for the Lilly Scholarship, and their accomplishments were presented in detailed speeches by Principal, Brooke Tharp, and CFHC representative, Sarah House. 

Sarah states “The committee had a very difficult task of selecting two students from the talented pool of eight finalists and submitting their recommendation to Lily Endowment for approval. Pending that approval, the awards will be announced in December.”

As they continue their journey, both Natalie and Maya are sure to inspire many more students to reach for their highest potential, just as they have done with the Lilly Scholarship.