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 $500 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 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 seventh year Black Warrior EMC has been awarded scholarships. This year’s winners are:

• Charlie Grace Card of Livingston, a student at Demopolis High School. She plans to major in Animal Science.
• Jacob Parker Davis of Gallion, a student at Demopolis High School. He plans to attend a lineman’s school.
• Anna Braswell Malone of Demopolis, a student at Demopolis High School. She plans to major in Accounting.
• Charles David Johnson of Demopolis, a student at Demopolis High School. He plans to major in Biology.
• Hattie Louise Hurst of Demopolis, a student at Demopolis High School. She plans to major in biology/nursing.
• Clayton James Donovan of Butler, a student at South Choctaw Academy. He plans to major in Industrial Technology.
• Lawsyn Elizabeth Rogers of Silas, a student at South Choctaw Academy. She plans to major in General Studies.
• Jasmine Mona DuBose of Butler, a student at Choctaw County High School. She plans to major in Nursing.
• Natalee Grace Newton of Magnolia, a student at Southern Academy. She plans to major in nursing.
• Carter Dean Renn of Fosters, a student at Sipsey Valley. He plans to major in Physiology.

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

Board President Terry Barr was joined by Board Members John Lanier and Ronnie Hall in presenting the scholarships to students at South Choctaw Academy and Choctaw County High School, while Board Member W. Townsend Kyser III presented the award to the Southern Academy winner.

Board members Audra P. Browder and Irvin Eatman presented the award to the Sipsey Valley 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.