26 Scholarships awarded at Porter County Community Foundation Annual Banquet

On May 9th, 2019, twenty-six high school seniors received a scholarship at the Porter County Community Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Banquet.

Since 1998, the Foundation has presented 382 scholarships to students from all over Porter County.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars Vanessa Cardona (left) and Emma Johnson (right).

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships were awarded this year to Aidan Aubuchon of Portage High School, Emma Johnson of Indiana Connections Academy and Vanessa Cardona of Valparaiso High School. This scholarship pays full tuition and fees to any college or university in the state of Indiana, as well as $900 each year for books. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded 85 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, totaling over $4 million. These scholarships are the result of a statewide initiative by Lilly Endowment Inc. to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana and support Indiana’s community foundations in their mission to enhance quality of life.

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded $4,000 scholarships to Jenna Dawson of Michigan City High School, Ashley Sutton of Indiana Academy and Sarah Smith of Chesterton High School.

Porter County is fortunate to have businesses and individuals who value the importance of education. Thanks to the generosity of NIPSCO, the Plesac Family Scholarship Fund, the Larry and Jerilyn Klemz Scholarship Fund, the Largura Family Scholarship Fund and the Tom and Alice Roberts Scholarship Fund, a $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Allison Hano of Hebron High School, Emily Zoll of Boone Grove High School, Jillian Burton of Washington Township High School, Haley Ruiz of Wheeler High School, Alannah Hodges of Morgan Township High School, Kaitlyn Steele of Valparaiso High School, Molly Slatcoff of Chesterton High School, Sanja Kirova of Portage High School and Grayce Beach of Kouts High School.

Each year, the Porter County Community Foundation awards $1,000 scholarships to students who attend the Porter County Career and Technical Center. The recipients for this year are Lauren Drang, Thomas “Jay” Edwards, Roury Farnum, Haley Jackson, Alicia Kleckner, Cameron Tharp, Lauren Yates and Abbigail Stram.

Three special scholarships were created as a legacy for the person or family whose name they carry and will last into perpetuity. The Harlan A. Siegesmund Liberty Township Alumni Scholarship was awarded to Ethan Snowdin of Chesterton High School.  This scholarship was established by the Liberty Township High School Class of 1958 to honor their long-time principal Mr. Siegesmund. The Tom and Georgia Bricker Scholarship was awarded to Holly Kuebler of Kouts High School. This scholarship was created by Georgia, a school teacher, to honor her late husband Tom. Lastly, the Shawn Moyer Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Olivia Konchar of Kouts High School. Shawn Moyer was a 1999 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar who passed away during his sophomore year at Taylor University. Lilly Endowment and the Foundation endowed the remaining balance of Shawn’s scholarship to create this award for graduates of Kouts High School.

Porter County Community Foundation Scholar Sarah Smith.

Community Scholars Haley Ruiz (left), Alannah Hodges (Center), and Jillian Burton (right).

Porter County Career and Technical Center Scholars (left to right) Abbigail Stram, Haley Jackson, Lauren Yates, Thomas “Jay” Edwards, Alicia Kleckner, Roury Farnum, and Lauren Drang.

Harlan A. Siegesmund Liberty Township Alumni Scholar Ethan Snowdin.

Tom & Georgia Bricker Scholar Holly Kuebler.

Shawn Moyer Memorial Scholar Olivia Konchar.

Porter County Farmers Gift of Grain Chili Day - October 19, 2018

Porter County Farmers are invited to attend the Gift of Grain Chili Day at the Co-Alliance Elevator in Malden on Friday, October 19, 2018 from 10 AM – 2 PM.

Gift of Grain Committee Members (left to right) Tim Stoner, Brad Metzger, Jane Maxwell, and Joe Cannon.

A free homemade chili lunch and sweets will be served. Information about how farmers can support our community through the Gift of Grain program will also be available.

The Gift of Grain program was started in 2017 as a way for local farmers to use grain to help families in Porter County start saving for their kids’ college education. The program supports Promise Porter County, an initiative that helps families with first grade students invest in a CollegeChoice 529 savings account.

Gift of Grain is also investing in a permanently endowed fund. The Agricultural Community Initiative Fund, at the Porter County Community Foundation, will help ensure there will be resources available to meet future needs in our community.

Gift of Grain committee member and Porter County farmer, Tim Stoner, says “This program is unique in that it has a double benefit; it allows us to support Promise Porter County today and build an endowment to contribute to future projects as they develop.”

While chili will be available on October 19, gifts of grain can be made anytime. This is an ongoing project that encourages farmers to participate at the time of year that is best for them.

“The partnership between local farmers and the Porter County Community Foundation is really special,” said Foundation President & CEO, Bill Higbie. “It’s a great example of how investing today grows tomorrow.”

A gift of grain can be an easy, tax-efficient way to support local causes in our community. For more information about the Gift of Grain program, visit www.pccf.gives/giftofgrain.

In the event of rain, the Gift of Grain Chili Day will be on Friday, October 26.

"Wonder" Movie Event with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Michael Goodman

Join us for a free outdoor showing of the hit movie “Wonder” (PG) on August 1, 2018 at 7:30 PM at the Porter Health Amphitheater, Central Park Plaza, Downtown Valparaiso.   

“Wonder” is a heartwarming story about a young boy, August (Auggie) Pullman, who was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome. The movie follows Auggie as he enters public school for the first time.

Special guest, Dr. Michael Goodman, will share his story before the movie. Like Auggie from the film, Dr. Goodman was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome. After overcoming many similar challenges in his own life, Dr. Goodman learned a hard lesson…you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Dr. Goodman is a graduate of Valparaiso High School. After completing his undergrad in Iowa, he went on to medical school in Indianapolis. He is now a pediatrician with Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

This is a free, family-friendly event open to the public. Please bring your own blankets and chairs. This event is brought to you by the Porter County Community Foundation, Merrill Lynch Bank of America– The Braggs Team, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana.

Foundation Awards 2018 Scholarships

As one chapter comes to a close, a new one is just beginning for the 27 talented high school seniors recognized at the Porter County Community Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Banquet. Since 1998, the Foundation has presented 356 scholarships to Porter County students.

The 2018 recipients are:

The Porter County Community Foundation has awarded 82 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships to Porter County students since 1998. This scholarship pays full tuition and fees to any college or university in the state of Indiana and $900 each year for books. The 2018 recipients of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships are: (left to right) Alaynah Chatman (Portage High School), Robert Walker (Washington Township High School), and Abigail Koster (Chesterton High School).

Porter County is fortunate to have businesses and individuals who value the importance of education. Thanks to the generosity of NIPSCO, the Plesac Family Scholarship Fund, the Larry and Jerilyn Klemz Scholarship Fund, the Largura Family Scholarship Fund and the Tom and Alice Roberts Scholarship Fund, a $1,000 scholarship was awarded to each of the following recipients: (left to right) Jayson Heinold (Kouts High School), Austyn Pryatel (Morgan Township High School), Natalie Dowdy (Andrean High School), Sam Klumpe (Valparaiso High School), Emily Horsley (LaCrosse High School), and Mickayla Edmaiston (Portage High School). Not pictured: Kayla Rivera (Wheeler High School) and Thomas Gotsch (Marquette High School).

The Chesterton High School Class of 1958 established the Harlan A. Siegsmund Liberty Township Alumni Scholarship in honor of their longtime principal. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate of Chesterton High School with a preference given to residents of Liberty Township. This year’s recipient is Rigoberto Alvarez, Jr. (Chesterton High School) pictured here with Ed Seykowski, a member of the class, who was instrumental in creating this scholarship.

Each year, the Porter County Community Foundation provides $4,000 scholarships to Porter County students. The 2018 recipients are: (left to right) Madison Nondorf (Valparaiso High School) and Lexi Sroka (Hebron High School). Not pictured: Alex Reed (Boone Grove High School).

The Foundation and the Porter County Career and Technical Education Center have worked together since 2008 to award scholarships to their students. The recipients for 2018 are: (left to right) Joshua Chew, Cailee Hodges, Jacob Wells, Cameron Chapman and Abigail Vargas, with Jon Groth (Director of the Porter County Career and Technical Education Center). Not Pictured: Bridget McGrath and Tyler Smolar.

Georgia Bricker, whose husband, Tom, passed away in 2006, established a scholarship in memory of him. This year’s recipient is Kelsey Fleming (Washington Township High School).

Shawn Moyer was a 1999 recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. During his sophomore year at Taylor University, Shawn lost his battle with cancer. The remaining balance of his scholarship was endowed to create this award for Kouts High School graduates. This year’s recipient, Hannah Maier (Kouts High School), is pictured here with Nick and Bev Moyer, Shawn’s parents.

Annual Women’s Tea Celebrates Women’s Philanthropy in Porter County

“When is the last time you have done something for 522 days,” said Stephanie Jones, to the 234 women in attendance at the 17th Annual Women’s Tea hosted by the Porter County Community Foundation.

“Something that you love; that you’re passionate about?” she asked the crowd. For Stephanie, what started out as a New Year’s Resolution turned into an ongoing, philanthropic adventure. For 522 days straight, Stephanie gave a gift.

“My definition of a ‘gift’ is when you give something and expect nothing in return,” said Stephanie.  As she spoke of her intentional, sometimes serendipitous gifts given away throughout this journey to family, friends or even complete strangers, she explained how this challenge really stretched her, in more ways than she could have imagined.

“Giving stretches you in your goals, gratitude, and giving,” said Stephanie. “Giving to someone else is a way to show gratitude; to say thank you to those in your life, whether it’s with your time, talents, or money.”

Stephanie shared her inspirational journey and challenged those in attendance to stretch themselves by giving a philanthropic gift to the Women’s Fund of Porter County and help make a difference in the lives of women and children, right here in our community.

Impact Porter County is a giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation.  “Impact Porter County has a simple and ambitious goal,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “To raise $100,000 annually, half of which would be given away immediately to causes that support women and children; the other half would be endowed to continue helping organizations forever.” 

“What you have done here is pretty crazy,” said Bill Higbie.  Today, more than $500,000 has been awarded in Women’s Fund grants to nonprofits in Porter County.  The Women’s Fund now holds nearly $800,000 in an endowed fund, ensuring that the positive impact will continue forever. “Thank you for being crazy generous,” added Higbie.   

Stephanie Jones is an author, speaker, and life coach.  As a fearless changemaker, she’s been a private investigator, police officer, and senior manager in a Fortune 100 company.  Stephanie is a member of Impact Porter County and serves as a board member for the Porter County Community Foundation.

If you would like to learn more about Impact Porter County, view recent grant recipients, or find out how you can help make a difference, visit www.pccf.gives.