Black Warrior Electric awards scholarships to 10 local students

Black Warrior Electric Membership Corp. recently announced it has awarded scholarships to 10 area graduating high school seniors for the fifth year.                                                                                                                         

The announcement highlights the company’s belief in the importance of education to the well-being of families and communities across its service area in West Central Alabama,                                                          

The scholarships, $500 each, are awarded through the Electric Cooperative Foundation, created by Alabama’s electric cooperatives as a means to give back to their communities.                                         

“The past year has been a difficult one for our members and our country as a whole because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Black Warrior Board of Trustees President Terry Barr. “A lot of people have faced hardships and losses, healthwise and financial, but we’re proud of the fact these young people continued to work hard in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities. It’s an honor to recognize their achievements with these scholarships.”

To qualify for a scholarship, a student must be a graduating high school senior who is the dependent of a Black Warrior Electric member. The money is awarded directly to the school of the student’s choosing. The award is good for four years and can be used for anything that can be purchased through the school, such as tuition, books and room and board. Applications were sent to more than 20 high schools in the utility’s 12-county coverage area.

The 2021 recipients, their schools and their expected major field of studies are:        

Mary Madalyn Massengale of Greensboro, Demopolis High School, civil engineering.

Lynn Pham of Gallion, DHS, biology.

Redderick Jerome Rutledge III of Marion, Francis Marion High School, electrical technology.

William P. Christopher of Butler, Patrician Academy, finance.       

Heather Marie Gladney of Buhl, Sipsey Valley High School, agri-business management.

Callie Elizabeth Clark of Gilbertown, South Choctaw Academy, pre-med, pediatrics.

Grayson Andrew Vaughan of Livingston, South Choctaw Academy, engineering.   

Baylee Anne Owen of Needham, South Choctaw Academy, business administration.

Riley Madison Newton of Magnolia, Southern Academy, meteorology.                 

Mallory Laken Roe of Pine Hill, Sweetwater High School, business.                                                                                                                          

Black Warrior General Manager Daryl Jones said he was pleased the cooperative is able to continue to honor students with the scholarships. “This means a lot to all of us at Black Warrior because this is an investment in the communities we serve. We appreciate our members, and we are thrilled that are able to demonstrate our appreciation through these scholarships.”

The scholarship applications were evaluated by the Electric Cooperative Foundation The foundation, on behalf of the electric cooperatives, has awarded scholarships to vocational and trade schools and four-year colleges and universities since 2001, totaling more than a half-million dollars.

Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned cooperative that has provided reliable, economical service to West Central Alabama since 1939. It serves about 26,000 homes and businesses in 12 counties.