Awards given at RCCF Annual Meeting
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

A large crowd turned out for the Ripley County Community Foundation's Annual Meeting that was held June 22, at the Napoleon Senior Center.

Kristina Schneider, president of the board of directors, welcomed those in attendance and then gave the President's Award. This year the honor went to the John A. Hillenbrand Foundation with Gus Hillenbrand accepting the plaque.

Sally Morris gave the Executive Director's Award and this year there were two. "Without these two people, the foundation probably wouldn't be here," Morris noted, as she named Cathy May and George Brinkmoeller as the recipients.

Morris noted that Cathy May had served as president of the foundation from 1997 until 2001. "She truly helped to shape the foundation," Morris noted of May, saying she had served on every committee but one.

Noting that Brinkmoeller "truly loves his community," Morris said he is the true definition of a volunteer.

The 2005 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars were in attendance and spoke of their gratitude for the award. Erin Collier and Holly Toops, both of South Ripley High School, were the recipients and were in attendance at the meeting with their parents, Mark and Dot Collier and Ray and Freda Toops.

Past recipients of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship also addressed the crowd telling what getting the scholarship has meant to them.

Doug Rump, father of Jenna Rump, a Lilly Scholar recipient, noted that getting the monetary help has allowed her to do much more with her studies, even traveling abroad. He noted that the children of today, are the leaders of tomorrow.

Recipients of the Ripley County Community Foundation's $1,000 scholarships were in attendance as well. They are: Kimberly Batta, Milan High School, who plans to attend Purdue University; Laura Hountz, Batesville High School, will attend Butler University; Levi Knowlton, Milan High School, plans to attend Purdue University; Amanda Mersch, Oldenburg Academy, plans to attend University of Evansville; Tonya Volz, Jac-Cen-del High School, plans to attend Purdue University; and Elizabeth Wehr, Indiana Academy, plans to attend Hanover College. All of the recipients were congratulated.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Cathy May, left, received the Executive Director's Award from Sally Morris at the Ripley County Community Foundation's Annual Meeting held at the Napoleon Senior Center last Wednesday, June 22.