Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF) has announced the recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Hamilton County:
- Savannah Greenbaum, Fishers High School
- Alexandra Behringer, Cathedral High School
- Soro Dustova, Westfield High School
- Breah Ellis, Westfield High School
- Yasemin Yildirim, Noblesville High School
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
“Our 2026 Lilly Scholars are the kind of young people who see a need and step up,” HCCF President Danielle Stiles-Polk said. “They have shown real leadership, follow-through, and a heart for service in Hamilton County. This scholarship will open doors on their campuses, and we are excited to see how they keep learning, leading, and giving back here at home.”
Meet the Scholars
Alexandra Behringer
Cathedral High School
“As the oldest of six children, I have learned responsibility early while balancing AP coursework, extracurriculars, and a demanding soccer schedule alongside working to fund my education. This scholarship would allow me to remain on campus instead of commuting to work full-time, enabling me to be a more focused, rested, and engaged nursing student. Being fully present in the classroom is essential to my academic success, especially in a hands-on field like nursing. Beyond academics, this support would reduce financial stress and help me graduate with less debt, bringing me closer to my goal of becoming a pediatric or labor and delivery nurse and giving back to my community.”
Soro Dustova
Westfield High School
“Receiving the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship would be life changing for me and my family. As a first-generation daughter of immigrants, I’ve always worked hard to build the opportunities that did not exist for my parents, and to be forever grateful to them for allowing me this ability of having a better life. But, despite all my academic achievements and leadership experience, the cost of attending college remains a heavy burden. This scholarship would give me the opportunity to fully focus on my education, especially in a field like computer science, which is extremely rigorous, without having to constantly stress about financial problems. It would open doors for me to do more research, internships, and be more involved in the community that I might otherwise would have to give up in order to earn money. Most importantly, it would empower me to graduate without any debt to my name and to return the favor by using my education and opportunity to lift up others, just like this scholarship would uplift me.”
Breah Ellis
Westfield High School
“Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus on my pre-medical coursework and my commitment to community service without the burden of financial stress. Rather than dedicating time toward a part-time job to help with potential debt, I’d be able to spend more time in rigorous science courses, clinical or internship experiences, and volunteering. This support would allow me to continue serving others while gaining the academic and hands-on experiences necessary for a future career as a physician.”
Savannah Greenbaum
Fishers High School
“Since I was eight, I have planned to pursue a career in medicine, and aspire to one day be a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. Undergraduate and medical degrees are not only academic undertakings, but significant financial commitments. It is such an honor to be a Lilly Endowment Scholar, as I know that I can achieve this goal and be a part of a community of motivated, passionate students in Indiana.”
Yasemin Yildirim
Noblesville High School
“The Lilly Scholarship gives me the opportunity to fully focus on my studies without worrying about the financial burden of college. Instead of splitting my time between school and work, I’ll be able to engage more in my classes, leadership opportunities, and campus organizations. After I graduate, I’ll be able to walk across the stage without worrying about student debt that I will have to carry into my adult life, which is a huge weight off my shoulders. This scholarship gives me the freedom and space to grow, try new things, and prepare for my future with confidence. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and the blessings God has put in my life leading me to this point.”
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Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
“This was a very strong applicant pool, and our committee took a careful, multi-step look at academics, recommendations, community involvement, character, leadership, and interviews,” said Tonya Hyatt, member of HCCF’s board, who served on the selection committee for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Hamilton County. “The finalists made this a tough decision. These five recipients stood out for their consistency and the way they already make a difference for others.”
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 Hamilton County Community Foundation
Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF), established in 1991, is a $140 million public foundation working to mobilize people, ideas and investment to make this a community where every individual has an equitable opportunity to reach their full potential. The foundation aims to build a community where opportunity meets growth for everyone, and philanthropic efforts support nonprofit organizations doing vital work. Learn more at hamiltoncountycf.org.
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 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.
