‘Game changer’

When Jason Warren teared up on a phone call that moved him emotionally, he reassured his SugarCreek Packing coworkers in Cambridge City that they were happy tears.

He’d just learned his daughter Willow, a Northeastern senior, was one of Wayne County’s two Lilly Endowment scholarship winners.

“We’ve talked about it a lot,” Warren said. “It’s a big deal. It’s a game changer. It makes things much easier for us, for sure.”

Winners are awarded a four-year, full-tuition scholarship for any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment. Students are evaluated on activities, achievements, community service, academic performance, financial need, work experience and leadership potential.

Jason had to keep the secret from his two daughters, Willow and Ellie, and wife, Diana, before they were surprised the next morning.

He had to keep quiet even longer because Northeastern had a two-hour fog delay that also impacted Diana, a Northeastern Wayne bus driver. Diana was then called into the school for a meeting under false pretenses.

Wayne County Foundation staff nimbly flipped the secret celebrations for the full-tuition scholarships they oversee, first traveling to Lincoln Middle/High School to celebrate Luke Cottrell.

Cottrell was one of three LMHS finalists, along with Elliott Jones and Jacob Myers. Centerville had two finalists, Jayden Cornett and Andrew Purcell. Seventy-six students applied this year.

The six finalists became acquainted during a group dinner preceding interviews with selection committee members, if they didn’t already know each other through regional activities such as Model Legislature. Those connections — and contact information swaps — made hiding the news even more difficult among the tech-savvy teens.

LMHS Principal Renee Lakes is proud of her school’s finalists, calling them “amazing young people with bright futures ahead of them.”

“All three of them are hardworking, well spoken, and have made the most of their high school experience by getting involved in as much as they can,” Lakes said.

She expects Cottrell will do great things and receive a boost from the scholarship.

“Luke Cottrell is one of the kindest, conscientious, and genuinely nice young men I have ever had the privilege of knowing,” she said.

Cottrell wants to study wildlife at Purdue University, pursuing his interest in conservation. One of his dream employers would be the National Park Service.

His activities include FFA, Business Professionals of America, 4-H, student government, cross-country, track and National Honor Society. Although Cottrell’s enjoyed gaining skills through those organizations, he’s most enthusiastic about their service projects, such as delivering meals to farmers and buying gifts for students on an angel tree.

Applicants describe their extracurricular activities, hardships and other aspects of their lives in essays. Finalists described their leadership and postsecondary plans during the interviews.

“They set us up for success,” Cottrell said of his club advisers and teachers, noting LMHS is one of Indiana’s smallest schools but sends one of the largest delegations to BPA’s state contest.

Cottrell’s parents, Sarah and Nathan, agreed the application process was a wonderful experience. They said Luke enjoyed the dinner, benefited from the formality of the interview process and realized that writing the essays really made him think.

However, Willow Warren worried afterward that she’d bombed the interviews, ruining her chance for the scholarship.

She became nervous during “what was probably the biggest thing I’ve done in my life.”

“I felt I wasn’t well-spoken, but apparently it was enough,” she said.

Willow’s parents tried to reassure her afterward about her chances when she answered affirmatively that she’d given eye contact, smiled and described her experiences.

“She is a positive force,” Diana said as she emotionally awaited her daughter’s arrival for the surprise. “She’s been that way since she’s been teeny-tiny.”

Before Willow came to counselor Meg Hinkey’s office, Hinkey also had summoned Ellie, 16, telling her she wanted help in consoling Willow since she didn’t win the scholarship.

When Ellie saw her parents, school administrators and a bouquet of flowers awaiting Willow, Ellie’s happy tears also flowed for her sister and best friend.

Willow also was stunned and quickly moved to tears before hugging her family and jumping up and down with Ellie in an embrace.

“I’m like screaming inside,” Willow said.

The scholarship could make a big difference in Willow’s college choice and whether she earns an advanced degree. She wants to work in education, likely at the elementary level.

She has seven younger cousins, and babysitting them sparked her interest in helping kids.

“She’s always had a way with little ones,” Diana said.

Although she doesn’t want to influence her decision too much, Hinkey said Willow would be a great school counselor.

“She’s one of the best students I’ve had the privilege to know and love,” Hinkey said.

Beyond skills in working with kids, Willow has demonstrated abilities in various activities, such as being yearbook managing editor, a student council officer, English and fine arts academic team member, and a state qualifier in NHS’ new Business Professionals of America chapter. She’s also active with choir, Model Legislature and National Honor Society.