As part of its continuing commitment to the communities it serves and the education of young people, Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation recently awarded scholarships to 10 high school graduating seniors in West Central Alabama.

The $1,000 scholarships are awarded through the Electric Cooperative Foundation, created by Alabama’s electric cooperatives as a means to give back to their communities.

“Education is the foundation for success,” Black Warrior EMC Board President Terry Barr said. “Awarding scholarships to some our brightest and most promising students is our way of both recognizing their accomplishments and encouraging them to continue their education. It has been and will continue to be a priority for this board.”

To qualify for a scholarship, a student must be a graduating high school senior who is the dependent of a Black Warrior EMC member. The money is awarded directly to the school of the student’s choosing, is good for four years, and can be used for anything purchased through the school – tuition, books, room and board, etc.

To spread the word about the scholarships, applications were distributed to the more than 20 high schools in the utility’s 12-county coverage area. Black Warrior EMC board members went to the school of each student to present the awards.

This is the ninth year Black Warrior EMC has awarded scholarships. This year’s winners are:

• Bailey Elizabeth Bonner of Butler, a student at Patrician Academy. She plans to major in Political Science.
• Braxton Hunt Vice of Demopolis, a student at Demopolis High School. He plans to major in Education.
• Brayden R Dunn of Sweet Water, a student at Sweet Water High School. He plans to major in E & I.
• Ellie Kaye Meadows of Demopolis, a student at Demopolis High School. She plans to major in Business.
• John Hayden Harwell of Butler, a student at Patrician Academy. He plans to major in Engineering.
• Thomas Bryan Harwell of Butler, a student at Patrician Academy. He plans to major in Pre-Law.
• Kayla Elnora Moore-Jones of Dixons Mills, a student at Marengo High School. She plans to major in Psychology.
• Kimora Annalese Moore-Jones of Dixons Mills, a student at Marengo High School. She plans to major in Health Sciences.
• Jackson Wyatt Hasty of Gallion, a student at Southern Academy. He plans to major in Civil Engineering.
• Johan Sayago Justo of Gibertown, a student at Demopolis High School. He plans to major in Electrical Engineering.

Three of this year’s scholarship winners are from Demopolis High School. Black Warrior Board Secretary-Treasurer Peter M. Reynolds Jr., Board Member Ottice Russelle, Board Member Ronnie Hall, and Board Member Townsend Kyser presented the scholarship awards to the students.

Board President Terry Barr presented the scholarship to the winner at Sweet Water High School and to the two winners at Marengo High School, while Board Member John E. Lanier and the school counselor presented the awards to the three winners from Patrician.

Board Members Clyde Fields and Townsend Kyser presented the scholarship to the winner at Southern Academy.

The scholarship applications were evaluated by the Electric Cooperative Foundation, which on behalf of the electric cooperatives has been awarding scholarships to students at vocational and trade schools and four-year colleges and universities since 2001.