One Scott County student has been named recipient of a full-tuition, four-year scholarship as the Scott County Community Foundation 2013 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

Caitlin Rice of Austin High School will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of her choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Caity is the daughter of Clifton and Tammy Rice of Austin. She is the President of Student Council, Sunshine Society and her Senior Class. She participates in her high school?s Dimensions Show Choir, is active on the Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council, annual We Care auction and assists the Austin Beautification Committee.

Caity plans to attend IUPUI to major in social work. After earning her master?s degree, Caity hopes to come back to Scott County to work for a local agency.

?I am truly honored to be the 2013 recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship and I hope to live up to everyone?s expectations,? said Caity. ?I couldn?t be happier.?

?Caity Rice will represent Scott County as an excellent Lilly Scholarship recipient,? said Scholarship Committee Chairperson Barbara Broady. ?In her written application, essays and interview, she continued to demonstrate her leadership skills both in school and in the community. I am sure she will accomplish many things and give back to our community in the future.?

Students were judged based on financial consideration, community involvement, extra-curricular activities, work activities, academics and two essays. Six students advanced to the interview portion. After the scholarship committee narrowed the field to one nominee and two alternates, the finalists? names were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipients.

ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.

The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor?s degree. There were 142 scholarships awarded statewide.