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 of 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 eighth year Black Warrior EMC has awarded scholarships. This year’s winners are:

• Garry Lavontae Smith Jr. of Forkland, a student at Demopolis High School. He plans to major in Computer Science.
• Turner Cole Larkin of Forkland, a student at Demopolis High School. He plans to major in Engineering.
• Anna Arrington Freeman of Forkland, a student at Demopolis High School. She plans to major in Interior Design.
• Josiah Ransom Foster of Forkland, a student at Demopolis High School. He plans to major in Business.
• Jodie Grey Card of Livingston, a student at Demopolis High School. She plans to major in Elementary Education.
• Kourtni Jackson of Moundville, a student at Hale County High School. She plans to major in Nursing.
• Brandi Nichole Logan of Gilbertown, a student at South Choctaw Academy. She plans to major in Radiologic Technology.
• Remington Jacob Roe of Pine Hill, a student at Sweet Water High School. HHHe plans to major in Electrical & Instrumentation Technology.
• Josie Grace Bracknell of Livingston, a student at Patrician Academy. She plans to major in English.
• Michael Dwane Gibson of Boligee, a student at Greene County High School. He plans to major in Metallurgical Engineering.

Five of this year’s scholarship winners are from Demopolis High School. Black Warrior Board Secretary-Treasurer Peter M. Reynolds Jr., Board Member Ottice Russelle, and Manager Daryl Jones presented the scholarship awards to the students.

Board President Terry Barr presented the scholarship to the winner at Sweet Water High School, while Board Member John E. Lanier presented the award to the Patrician and South Choctaw Academy winners.

Board member Audra P. Browder presented the award to the Greene County High School winner, while Board Member Clyde Fields presented the award to the Hale County High School winner.

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.

Director Ottice Russelle, Josiah Ransom Foster, Jodie Grey Card, Turner Cole Larkin, Director Peter M. Reynolds, Anna Arrington Freeman, General Manager Daryl Jones, Garry Lavontae Smith Jr. – Demopolis High School