Written by: Mariah Isom (@ma.riahh)

Midwest Leak Magazine is shining light on our shining stars of the month, two students from Herron-Riverside High School Tonee Harris and Oyinda Solanke. The two students earned the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community scholarship award that covers full tuition to any university or college in Indiana. Tonee Harris and Oyinda Solanke earned the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Award by achieving and maintaining a GPA of 3.2, being leaders in the community, and having to be interviewed by the scholarship selection committee. Senior year is one of the most important years in a young adult’s life, the decision students make can excel or slow down their future. Tunnel vision is what a student will need to be successful. Tonee Harris and Oyinda Solanke attend one the best ranked charter high school in Indianapolis making it easier to have a successful senior year. Once in college the two ladies will have to maintain a 3.0 GPA, which we know will not be hard for the two shining stars. The Lilly Endowment Scholarship gives away 147 scholarships annually. The stress of sending your children to a good university or college after high school can be a lot on the parent and the student as well.

Programs and scholarships like the Lilly Endowment Scholarship are important to the students of Indiana and it needs to be highlighted more. The scholarship fully takes on the financial responsibility with tuition and books. One less stressful thing to worry about during the student’s college’s experience, more focus on schoolwork. This is a decision that excels your future, all it takes is hard work, being a leader, and caring for your community. Midwest Leak Magazine knows how important it is to showcase the joy in the youth in our community. It’s important to shine light on our leaders in the youth so the younger community can see themselves. It’s important to see us succeeding in the lanes we want to succeed in, so we know it’s possible. Congratulations to our shining stars Tonee Harris and Oyinda Solanke the 2025 Lilly Endowment Scholarship Award winners.