Lilly scholarship clears path for Carmel senior

Joanna Fritz raised her daughter Alissa to care about other people, to serve her community and to always try her best.


The Carmel mom is proud of the 18-year-old senior at Carmel High School. Her daughter has been a mentor to mentally disabled people and volunteered at church camps in Arkansas and North Carolina.
Alissa raised nearly $1,000 while dancing for six hours in Carmel High's dance marathon benefiting Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. She served food at a church every Friday last summer.
Alissa is in the school's honors program, has been involved in student government and works part time for Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation.
All of her work is finally paying off, she said.
Fritz has been named a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar and has been offered a full ride to the Indiana college of her choice. She'll also receive $800 annually for required books and equipment.
"To me, this is hands-down the best thing that has ever happened to me," said Fritz.
"It means going to college and not having to worry about student loans," she said.
Fritz said her interview, in which she talked about her compassion for others, which she learned from her mom, might have given her an edge.
Joanna Fritz, a single mom, called the scholarship "an absolute blessing" for the family. Alissa's dad is Mark Fritz, Fishers.
With all of her activities, Alissa said it's been difficult to keep up her grades. "It's great to feel like you've accomplished something with all of your hard work."
She said being involved in Young Life, a Christian inter-denominational group, has been the backbone that's helped her through hard times, especially when her brother, Nick, died at age 23.
Before being notified of the scholarship, Fritz planned to attend Indiana University because, she said, it made the most sense financially. Because she didn't have much money put away for college, she applied for several scholarships and grants.
"I wanted to do it on my own," she said.
With the scholarship offer, she's rethinking her college choice and has applied to Butler University, a school that had not been an option before.
Butler's physician assistant program, in which Alissa was interested, is $28,140 for tuition for the 2007-08 school year, according to Courtney Tuell, director of public relations for Butler.
IU's tuition is about half of Butler's, said Fritz, who would study counseling or nursing if she goes to IU. Like other recipients of the scholarship, she takes Advanced Placement classes and expects to graduate with honors.
Her scholarship was not only based on commitment to community, volunteerism, academic achievement, financial need and demonstrated leadership, but also on an interview and two essays. In one essay, she wrote, "Service is a daily commitment and part of my life."
Fritz is one of four Hamilton County recipients of the scholarship program in its 10th year. The Independent Colleges of Indiana administers the program locally, which includes participation by Central Indiana Community Foundation.