SEYMOUR — Ismael Santiago Cruz, a senior at Seymour High School, has been selected as Jackson County’s 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the Community Foundation of Jackson County announced this week.
Cruz, the son of Evenecer Santiago and Soledad Cruz Ramirez, plans to pursue nursing at Indiana University Bloomington. He will receive full tuition plus a $900 annual stipend for books and equipment.
“Ismael is the 44th Jackson County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, and we are so excited for him,” said Sue Smith, Vice President of the Community Foundation of Jackson County. Cruz emerged as the top candidate from a competitive pool of applicants representing all six Jackson County high schools.
The selection process evaluated candidates in five key areas: academics, curriculum, activities, essay writing, and financial need. Independent Colleges of Indiana, which administers the statewide program, approved the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee recommendations.
The prestigious scholarship gives recipients access to the Lilly Scholars Network, which connects them with current scholars and alumni for leadership opportunities on campus and in their communities. Established for the 1997-98 school year, the program has provided more than $490 million in grants to support more than 5,300 Indiana students.
The scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
