The Starke County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECS) for Starke County: Sophia Chaffins of North Judson-San Pierre School.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
“Sophia Chaffins is a dedicated and driven student whose leadership, service, and work ethic stand out in every area she pursues,” said Shannon Berger, Northern Indiana Community Foundation Scholarship Coordinator. “From athletics and 4-H to her extensive volunteer work and jobs, she continually demonstrates responsibility, initiative, and a genuine commitment to her community.”
Sophia Chaffins, the daughter of Roger and Sarah Chaffins, is a highly involved student whose leadership and dedication span athletics, 4-H, school organizations, and community service. She is a four-year member of the North Judson-San Pierre golf and softball teams, serving as captain in both sports and earning honors such as Most Valuable Golfer, Academic All-Conference, and multiple top finishes at conference and sectional levels. Sophia is also a long-time member of Starke County 4-H, where she has earned numerous Grand Champion awards.
At school, she serves as Student Council President, helps coordinate major school events, and is an active member of the National Honor Society. Her community service includes extensive involvement in her church through Vacation Bible School, Youth Group, and Sunday School teaching.
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).
In nominating Starke County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the LECS committee considered community service, school activities, work experience, and more. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.
The following students deserve recognition as finalists for this year’s LECS: Grace Craig, Gideon Miller, Jorja Prater, Lauren Thompson, and Lilian Warren. “The committee had a very difficult decision to make, as every student is truly exceptional. Each finalist will receive a $1,000 scholarship to be sent to the school of their choice. While they may not be selected as the Lilly Scholar, our county is incredibly fortunate to have such impressive students representing Starke County as they head off to college,” commented Berger.
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 Starke County Community Foundation:
The Starke County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) public trust. The mission of the Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in our communities by assisting donors in fulfilling their charitable wishes. We do this by building endowment funds for our communities with contributions, both large and small.
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.
