(Veedersburg, IN) – The Western Indiana Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Fountain County – Heidy Muniz-Montero of Fountain Central High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Heidy is the 45th Fountain County recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.
“The Western Indiana Community Foundation is very proud to announce Heidy Muniz-Montero as our 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar,” said Dale White, CEO of the Western Indiana Community Foundation. “Heidy embodies the spirit of this prestigious award through her strong academic achievement, leadership, and deep commitment to her community. Her dedication is evident in her high GPA and active involvement in clubs and volunteer work, including her invaluable role as an interpreter. As the 45th Lilly Endowment Community Scholar from Fountain County, we are confident she will succeed at the University of Notre Dame and continue to be a positive agent of change in Indiana.”
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects scholars with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
Heidy Muniz-Montero, of Fountain Central High School, has plans to attend the University of Notre Dame to study psychological and brain sciences. Her career goal is to be a psychiatrist or Clinical Psychologist. Heidy ranks 3rd in her graduating class with a 3.986 GPA. She is the daughter of Fernando Muniz Luna and Elizabeth Montero Montero.
Heidy has been an active and dedicated student throughout her high school years, participating in a variety of clubs, organizations, and sports, including Student Council, English Bowl, Science Bowl, tennis, and the National Honor Society. She has also given back to her community in many ways, volunteering with several organizations and often serving as an interpreter and translator for her family and friends.
One of Heidy’s references shared, “I have witnessed firsthand her dedication, hard work, and genuine kindness toward her peers and community. Heidy truly exemplifies the qualities deserving of recognition. She is a driven individual who consistently shows commitment to her education and personal growth. Despite any challenges she faces, Heidy remains steadfast in her pursuit of academic excellence. Her performance in my classes has been nothing short of impressive—she consistently engages with the material, contributes thoughtful insights to discussions, and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and compassion. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Heidy supports her classmates with care and generosity.”
Thirty-one Fountain County students applied for this year’s Lilly Scholarship. The first phase of the selection process included the high school faculty of each school recommending up to six applicants from their school to be considered by the local scholarship committee representing the same school district.
The second phase included each scholarship committee reviewing the applications and interviewing each applicant. Two nominees from each school are selected based on consensus.
The third phase of the selection process included each of the two nominees from each school being interviewed by the scholarship committees representing the two other school districts. Each committee member independently scores each applicant in six categories, including academic performance, school activities and work, volunteerism, financial need, letters of reference, and a personal interview with each committee member.
Following the final scoring, finalists were forwarded to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for final selection of the Western Indiana Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient.
Since its inception in 1997–98, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are:
- To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
- To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play.
- To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.
About Western Indiana Community Foundation:
Western Indiana Community Foundation, established in 1990, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt philanthropic organization that was founded as Western Indiana’s partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy. The Foundation manages $46 million in charitable assets and administers over 375 charitable funds – each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund. Annually, the Foundation awards nearly $2.1 million in grants and scholarships to support Fountain County communities and is a National Standards certified community foundation.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.:
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.
About Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI):
Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for Indiana’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates and produce 30% of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20% of its undergraduates.
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