Scholarly Sims

Gage Sims stood just inside the doorway of the TV studio at Jay County Junior-Senior High School, an unsure look on his face.

Then he leaned back slightly, realization washing over him.

Sims was surprised Thursday afternoon with the announcement that he is The Portland Foundation’s 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

“It’s just an incredible pressure lifted off,” said Sims. “Not having to worry about the financials of college is such a weight lifted off my chest. Now I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to be able to pay for it … It’s incredible.”

Minutes earlier, Brandyn Towell said her son was not an emotional kid. That turned out not quite to be the case, as he wiped tears from his eyes after getting hugs from family members who had gathered to be part of surprise.

Having the financial burden of college removed will do that.

As the Lilly scholar, Sims will receive room and board at the Indiana college or university of his choice. He will also receive up to a $900 stipend annually for books and other materials.

“Incredible,” said Sims, whose hands were still shaking as he was being interviewed following the announcement. “This is like the golden ticket. I’m going to the chocolate factory right now. …

“It’s crazy,” he added later. “I’m finally starting to calm down. I’m not shaking as bad.”

Sims plans to study engineering, though he’s not sure yet what specific discipline that will involve. He’s currently taking his third pathway course in engineering at JCHS, learning about designing houses and a variety of other computer design skills. In the past he has made a variety of “gadgets and gizmos” as well as ball markers and tees to use while playing for the Patriot boys golf team.

“I’m undecided which specific discipline, but I love the general topic,” said Sims. “It’s just what I enjoy doing, the class I look forward to every day here at school. …

“I think it’s mainly real-world application in math and creativity. I can do and make whatever I want from nothing. I feel like that’s so cool.”

He’s narrowed his list of colleges to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Purdue University.

He noted Purdue has the benefit of a general first year of engineering study that would allow him more time to hone in on the specific sector he would like to pursue. He said he enjoyed his recent visit to the Rose-Hulman campus and the possibility of playing men’s golf for the Fightin’ Engineers.

Either way, the Lilly announcement provides him with flexibility.

“With this, now I have all my options open,” said Sims, who ranks ninth in his class with a 4.184 grade point average. “It’ll take some serious decision-making here in the future.”

Sims was one of 25 Jay County High School seniors to apply for the scholarship, which requires a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average. Applicants are evaluated on academic excellence, financial need, school/community activities, if they are a first-generation college student and their response to an essay question.

Four finalists were selected this year to complete an impromptu essay and be interviewed by The Portland Foundation’s selection committee. The foundation then sent its recommendation to the Independent Colleges of Indiana for selection of the recipient.

Jeremy Gulley, president of The Portland Foundation and Jay School Corporation superintendent, complimented all of the finalists on their academic achievements and community involvement.

What was it that made Sims stand out?

“Humility,” Gulley said. “That’s a quality, especially when you’re talking about these kids because they’ve achieved so much. They’re high achievers. They wouldn’t be here where they’re at otherwise. How do you balance telling your story, but also having that calm humility in front of adults you don’t necessarily even know.”

Sims is Jay County’s 42nd recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship that has been in existence since 1998-99. Other finalists this year were Zion Beiswanger, Nick Lyons and Danielle May.

In addition to golf, Sims also plays tennis for JCHS. He is involved in FFA, National Honor Society, academic competition, Jay County Junior Fair Board and 4-H. (He also plans to show his girlfriend’s pygmy goats this year and hopes to advance to the small animal supreme showmanship competition, having already been a competitor in the large animal competition.)

Over the life of the scholarship program, the Lilly Endowment has provided about $505 million to the more than 5,200 students who have been selected.