Scottsburg High School senior Madelyn Shelton was named the Scott County Community Foundation 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
As the 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Shelton will receive full tuition to an accredited public or private nonprofit college or university in Indiana of her choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. She joins 37 other Lilly Scholar recipients from Scott County since 1998.
“It was a culmination of things. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I never expected to win,” Shelton said about being chosen. “It is a very humbling experience.”
Shelton plans to attend Hanover College this fall, majoring in history and minoring in political science.
“If it is prestigious enough for the governor or Vice President of the United States to attend, then [Hanover] is good enough for me,” Shelton said with a smile. “I wanted a campus that was small and close. This is home, and this is where I am supposed to be.”
By being close, Shelton plans to continue giving back to and staying involved in her community. Shelton is the vice-chair of the Scott County GOP and president of the Scott County Young Republicans. During the summer months, Shelton served as a Congressional intern.
Throughout the year, she serves as a volunteer with the Scott County Partnership; is a member of Empower Youth Coalition, where she serves a director of graphic design; and is an AmeriCorps member. She is an officer with the SHS Drama Club and served as the SHS Football manager for four years and organized the football homecoming events.
“Community service and volunteering have been a part of my family,” Shelton said in a past interview. “It’s a personal thing. It’s what drives me every morning. My life isn’t about me.”
Shelton’s parents, James and Michelle Shelton, serve their community as well. Shelton’s father works at the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and her mother works at Scott County Partnership.
After applying to Hanover College, Shelton received a merit-based scholarship to cover the cost of attendance and one month of travel expenses for studying abroad. The merit-based scholarship combined with the 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar allows Shelton to go to college without debt. Additionally, Shelton is not the only student in her household — her mother is working on obtaining her college degree. The thought of paying two college tuitions at the same time was a concern for Shelton and her family.
“I am thankful to the Community Foundation for helping me. The weight of the burden of paying for college is lifted. Now, my mom doesn’t have to put her dreams on hold,” Shelton said. “It is a huge honor to be one of the Top 10 students in the county. I never thought I could ever achieve anything like this.”
According to the Scott County Community Foundation, students were judged based on financial consideration, community involvement, extra-curricular activities, work activities, academics, honors and awards, letters of recommendation and two essays. From the application submissions, several students went through an interview process before the scholarship committee selected one nominee and two alternates. After making a decision, the scholarship committee submitted the names of the students to Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc., a nonprofit corporation that represents 30 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state, for the selection of the Scott County recipient.
Shelton started attending Scott County School District 2 in middle school; she attended two other neighboring schools before choosing Scott 2.
“Choosing Scott 2 was hands down the best decision I ever made. I like the technology aspect in the classroom, and the way teachers and staff interact with students,” Shelton said.
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