Ann Barrett is the 2011 Lilly Endowment Scholarship award recipient for Union County. She will attend Indiana University East this fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Barrett graduated from Union County High School. A native of Liberty, Ind., Barrett now resides in Richmond. She is the daughter of James and Dodi Barrett.

While in high school, Barrett was involved in several academic and extracurricular activities including serving as chapter president of the Union County Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), and competed in events for Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR). As part of the FCCLA, Barrett helped to coordinate many community service projects for the organization.

Barrett was team caption for the English and Social Studies Academic Teams; president of the National Honor Society; FFA member; head of the Student Election board; a peer tutor; blood drive coordinator; and elementary school aide. In addition, she was an FFA Washington Leadership Delegate as well as a senator at Hoosier Girls State. Barrett was a volunteer at McCullough-Hyde Hospital on the obstetrics floor. She was also a discussion leader in the Girls with Voices Book Club for the Union County Public Library.

Barrett received the National Merit Special Scholarship in partnership with Bridgestone and Firestone and was recognized as a Union County High School ISTAR student.  She received the Most Outstanding Senior Student in English award and many academic honor awards.

As a student at IU East, Barrett will be in the Honors Program, an academic program that provides an intellectually enriched curriculum for highly motivated students. She said she is looking forward to joining community service and nursing organizations through the campus as well as to participate in the Woman’s Studies Organization and Writer’s Club.

“I really enjoy the community-like atmosphere that is created at the IU East campus. I visited numerous colleges, yet while at IU East I was treated so kindly and everyone was so welcoming, IU East clearly became the best option for me,” Barrett said. “Also, the nursing program at IU East is incredible. I attended Nursing Day and absolutely loved the program offered. Also, I was impressed with the recent addition of a master’s program in nursing because I would like to further my education with a master’s degree in nurse administration.”

There are 17 new Lilly Scholars representing 15 Indiana cities. The students have an average grade point average of 3.91, an average SAT score of 1239 and an average ACT of 28; among them are four valedictorians and five first-generation college students. A total of 142 students received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships this year throughout the state.

The Lilly Endowment Community scholarship covers full tuition and required fees for four years of undergraduate study at any baccalaureate program in Indiana, as well as a stipend of $800 for books and other required materials.

“This scholarship is a tremendous honor and it gives me the freedom to truly focus on my studies without having the stress of financials. Also, it gives me a chance to save back money for graduate school in the future which allows me to take my education further than I ever thought possible,” Barrett said. “I am very thankful for not only the Lilly Scholarship but the other scholarships including IU East Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship that IU East has offered me.”