While we talk frequently about investing in infrastructure and technology to ensure reliable delivery of electricity, our co-op makes additional investments that are crucial for our future: youth programs that help to develop our members and leaders of tomorrow.Speaking of which: Applications are open now for scholarships and Youth Tour, two key opportunities for high school students.

Cooperative scholarships

We award our Children of Members scholarships each year to college-bound students who exhibit academic excellence and strong extracurricular activities. Students compete for monetary scholarships based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and cooperative knowledge. This year, we’ll provide $16,500 in scholarships to seven deserving students. Our top winner will go on to compete for statewide scholarships through Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives in Columbus, with the chance to win up to $4,600 more.

We recognize that students follow many paths after high school, so we also award $2,000 in Career/Technical Scholarships to two students pursuing two-year associate degrees or technical programs. Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives offers additional trade school scholarships. High school seniors who live in homes receiving electric service from the cooperative are encouraged to learn more and apply by visiting our website. 

Youth Tour

Since the late 1950s, high school students sponsored by electric cooperatives across the nation have converged on the nation’s capital for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Far more than just a sightseeing trip to Washington, D.C., Youth Tour allows teens to see government up close, learn about the political process, meet with their congressional representatives, and better understand their roles as citizens. 

In addition, the 50 delegates from Ohio and 2,000 participants from around the country learn about the history and importance of electric cooperatives and network with their peers from co-ops across the U.S. Our Ohio delegation also visits the Cardinal Power Plant, the Flight 93 National Memorial, and the Gettysburg Battlefield, as well as museums, monuments, and government buildings in D.C.

Past delegates have described Youth Tour as the “trip of a lifetime,” which opened their eyes to opportunities and developed leadership skills that served them well in college and beyond. Delegates have gone on to serve as elected officials, school or business leaders, or successful entrepreneurs — and we’re gratified that numerous others have found careers with electric cooperatives.

Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative sponsors four Youth Tour delegates each year. More Information and application forms are available at www.hwe.coop. I’m proud of our cooperative’s commitment to developing tomorrow’s leaders, made possible by you, our members. If you have a child or grandchild in high school, or you know a promising student who lives in a cooperative household, please encourage that student to apply for scholarships or Youth Tour. 

Each year, our scholarship winners and Youth Tour delegates impress me with their academic abilities, community involvement, energy, and enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve in the future and I’m glad that the co-op can help them along the way