An Angola High School senior has been named as the Steuben County 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Mason Gaerte will receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an accredited public or private nonprofit college or university in Indiana, along with an annual $900 stipend for books and required equipment.

Lilly scholarships were first awarded in 1998, and over 4,400 scholarships have been awarded statewide.

Gaerte, son of Duane and Amy Gaerte of Angola, plans to study Biology at Butler University. He is the senior class president, plays the trombone for the Marching Hornets at Angola high school, and is part of his church’s worship team.

A surprise announcement was given to Mason at Angola High School where his family, friends, school and high school administrators, as well as members from the Steuben County Community Foundation were present.

“It’s the culmination of a lot of years of hard work, and it’s also a time to reflect on the journey and all that’s gotten me here, not just the destination,” shared Mason at the announcement.

The selection process for the Lilly scholarship is comprised of four different parts evaluated by a volunteer committee. 

The Lilly Endowment has provided over $372 million dollars for tuition and book stipends to date. There were 143 scholarships awarded statewide in 2018; the number awarded in each county is based on the number of fulltime residents in each county. Steuben County was offered one award for 2019.