Lily Thomas is the daughter of Jackie and Dale Thomas, Senior Quality Assurance Analyst, Information Services for Simon Property Group. As a dependent of a SPG employee, Lily applied for and received a Greg Saunders Legacy Program Scholarship.

After graduation from Fishers High School, Lily enrolled at Columbia College of Chicago as a journalism major. Lily excelled in her chosen field by being named to the Dean’s List for the Fall semester and being selected as a staff reporter for the Columbia Chronicle newspaper, which is a rare achievement for a freshman.

In her second semester of school, Lily had a medical emergency over the Valentine’s Day weekend. Her heart stopped. It was only the quick thinking and action of her boyfriend that saved her life. During the cardiac event, Lily suffered an anoxic brain injury because there wasn’t enough oxygen getting to her brain. Lily spent the remainder of her second semester in recovery and rehab for her injury.

Lily has almost fully recovered from her injury and is currently taking two remote courses this summer and looking forward to returning to Columbia College for the fall semester. She will return to her studies and her work on the paper with the continued support of SYF and the Greg Saunders Legacy Program Scholarship.