Recipients of the 2014-2015 La Plata Electric, John Voelker Memorial, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Tri-State Generation and Transmission scholarships have been announced by La Plata Electric Association (LPEA).
Dylan Pearson, a graduate at Ignacio High School, have been awarded LPEA's 14th Annual John Voelker Memorial Scholarships, $10,000 for two years, for vocational, technical school or junior college. Pearson will attend Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell to study for a range of professions - auto mechanic, HVAC technician and grounds maintenance. LPEA's John Voelker Memorial Scholarship remembers former LPEA board member John Voelker, who was instrumental in creating the vocational scholarship. Voelker perished in the Egyptian Air plane crash in October of 1999.
One of the LPEA College Scholarships, (up to $7000 annually or $28,000 for tuition, books and fees), went to Effie Nistler, of Bayfield High School. Nistler is heading to Brigham Young University to study chemical engineering.
Bryant Mitchell of BHS received a $500 scholarship from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. Mitchell will pursue a career in the health care industry and attend the University of Arizona in Tucson.
"We had many qualified students apply this year, but have only so many scholarships and awards," said Jeannie Bennett, coordinator of LPEA's scholarship process. "All of our scholarship recipients are great students with exciting potential. At LPEA we are proud to be able to offer these educational opportunities."
Funds for the LPEA and LPEA/John Voelker Memorial Scholarships come from LPEA's unclaimed Capital Credits. Each year, LPEA endeavors to find "missing" members who are due a share of retired Capital Credits. Those funds unable to be returned to members are then put back into the community - in this case, into college scholarships.
For further information or for questions regarding future scholarship opportunities, contact Jeannie Bennett at 970.382.3505, or jbennett@lpea.coop.
LPEA, celebrating 75 years in 2014, provides to its more than 30,000 members, with nearly 41,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible. For additional information, contact LPEA at 970.247.5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.
