Tri-Township Schools proudly announces that senior Lupita Osornio-Luna has been named a 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar for La Porte County, earning a full-tuition scholarship for four years of undergraduate study at an Indiana college. The Unity Foundation of La Porte County recognized her for academic excellence and community leadership.
“We are incredibly proud of Lupita and her many accomplishments,” said Tri-Township Schools Superintendent Dr. Paige McNulty. “Her track record speaks for itself, and her level of humility is extraordinary. We are honored to have her represent our district.”
According to the announcement shared by the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, Osornio-Luna is deeply involved in service and student leadership. After volunteering with her local Leos Club, she was inspired to create “Learn with Leos,” a mentor-based tutoring program at her school. She also founded the “Happy Hands Project,” a toy collection initiative that provides sensory and fidget toys to Tri Township students experiencing anxiety.
“Lupita embodies the spirit of community, leadership, and perseverance that the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship seeks to honor,” said CC Payne, Director of Operations at Unity Foundation. “She demonstrated exemplary dedication to service, extracurriculars, and academics. La Porte County is well-represented through this exceptional young leader.”
Lupita’s leadership roles include President of National Honor Society, Treasurer of Student Council, Science Team Captain, Lead Student Leader of Leadership La Porte County’s Youth Program, and President of Kankakee Valley REMC’s Junior Board of Directors. In 2025, she was selected as keynote speaker at Hoosier Girls State.
“When I received the news, I couldn’t believe it,” said Osornio-Luna, who had actually gone home ill the day Unity Foundation reps arrived on campus to deliver the news. “Although I was under the weather, this made me feel much better, and I immediately called my parents.”
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
Osornio-Luna has not announced her official decision of where she will attend school, but confirmed acceptance to several Indiana colleges. She looks forward to studying Business & Accounting so that she can assist family and friends with financial literacy, credit solutions and wealth-building. She resides in La Crosse and is the daughter of Nora Luna and J Guadalupe Osornio.