Isabell Deem, an Angola High School senior, has been named as the Steuben County 2020 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Deem will receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an accredited public or private nonprofit college or university in Indiana, along with an annual $900 stipend for books and required equipment.

Lilly scholarships were first awarded in 1998, and over 4,400 scholarships have been awarded statewide, not including 143 that will be awarded during this round.

Deem, daughter of John Deem and Holly Meccia-Deem of Angola, plans to pursue a medical career with hopes to study chemistry or bio-chemistry at Indiana University, Purdue, or Butler University. In addition to playing golf at Angola High School, Deem is the president of FIST, president of Key Club, and serves on the Mayor’s Youth Council, National Honor Society, and Student Council.

A surprise announcement was given to Deem at Angola High School where she was surrounded by her family, friends, and high school administrators, as well as members from the Steuben County Community Foundation.

The selection process for the Lilly scholarship is comprised of four different parts evaluated by a volunteer committee. The process is pre-approved by the Independent Colleges of Indiana prior to the applications becoming available. The committee reviewed and scored the 20 applications received (with names and all personal information omitted) and selected six finalists based on academic and extra-curricular achievements in Steuben County. These six students then participated in an impromptu essay, portfolio presentation and formal interview. The scores from these four components were added together to nominate a recipient and two alternates.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is one of 50 scholarships available through the Steuben County Community Foundation. Application materials for other 2020 community foundation scholarships are available on the foundation’s website: steubenfoundation.org.