It was announced Friday that Bellmont senior Andrea Curtis has been presented with the 2023-2024 ACCF Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECS). Curtis is the daughter of Jason and Veronica Curtis of rural Decatur.
“Since I have interviewed for it, I have just not been able to stop thinking about it and ever since I got the call I have been elated,“ said Curtis. “I can’t even explain how blessed I feel . . . I am the oldest of four, so I have worked since my 8th grade year pretty determined on getting academic scholarships. What I did not get covered, I was planning to pay all by myself, so I did not have to take any loans out. Knowing now that it is all possible means so much.”
Curtis was selected from a group of five finalists, including Dawsyn Lopez of Bellmont and Micah McClure, Carter Steele, and Faith Zuercher of Adams Central.
The LECS provides 143 scholarships to students in each of Indiana’s 92 counties. These scholarships guarantee full tuition and provide a stipend for books and fees.
Curtis is currently captain of the cheerleading squad, where she is a four-year member. She is part of the German club, Mayor Youth Council, Student Council, the Student Athlete Leadership Team at Bellmont. In the community, Curtis is a lifeguard at the city pool, a gymnastics teacher, and volunteers in various other capacities.
Curtis, in addition to family and friends, specifically acknowledged the math department, German language teacher Dane Fuelling, social studies teacher Mike Riehm, and choir instructor Jamie Macklin for having a great impact on her experiences.
Curtis has narrowed her collegiate search down to Purdue University and Taylor University. She is also deciding between majoring in accounting or math education.