Community Foundation Announces 2026 Laidig Service Scholarship Winners
Six local students receive scholarships, paid internships
The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has named six St. Joseph County students as 2026 Jon and Sonja Laidig Community Service Scholars.
The recipients are Rima Bahradine-Bell, Career Academy, attending Columbia University; Julianna Ghormley, Adams High School, attending Middlebury College; Emma Graham, Mishawaka High School, attending IU South Bend; Deivi Ricci Bastidas, Penn High School, attending Indiana University; Anna Watson, John Glenn High School, attending University of Notre Dame; and Ruth White, Adams High School, attending Purdue University.
The Jon and Sonja Laidig Community Service Scholarship provides St. Joseph County students with generous tuition assistance and an opportunity to give back to their community through a paid summer internship, served with some of St. Joseph County’s best nonprofit agencies. This year’s internship locations include Hope Ministries, Dismas House, Greenbridge Growers, EnFocus, DTSB, Ronald McDonald House, Center for Hospice Care, Oaklawn, Beacon Health and Transformation Ministries.
The value of the scholarship is $8,750 ($3,750 for the internship and up to $5,000 in tuition scholarship), and it is renewable for up to four years.
Jon and Sonja Laidig Community Service Scholarship awards are based on academic excellence, financial need, community service, leadership, and a desire to contribute to one’s community and society.