FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Eight students from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s (REC) service territory have earned scholarships from the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) Education Scholarship Foundation, joining a select group of high school seniors recognized across the region for their academic achievements and future goals.
The students are among 92 seniors across the service territories of VMDAEC’s 16 member electric cooperatives selected to receive a combined $165,000 in scholarships this year. The awards support students pursuing college, technical or trade education.
“These students represent the promise and potential found throughout REC communities,” said Casey Hollins, Managing Director – Communications and Public Relations. “Their achievements reflect years of hard work, support from their families and schools, and the strength of the communities we are proud to serve. We are excited to see what they accomplish next.”
The VMDAEC Education Scholarship Foundation awarded the scholarships in April as the program marked 25 years of investing in students and communities served by electric cooperatives.
REC-area students receiving scholarships are:
Robert Groves of Culpeper County, a student at Culpeper County High School, $2,500
Lubabah Qazzaz of Frederick County, a home-schooled student, $2,000
Sumayah Qazzaz of Frederick County, a home-schooled student, $2,000
Lindsey Brown of Culpeper County, a student at Culpeper County High School, $1,500
Jaxen Carter of Frederick County, a student at Millbrook High School, $1,500
William Gladden of Hanover County, a student at Grace Christian School, $1,500
Asia Goodman of Spotsylvania County, a student at Riverbend High School, $1,500
Kameron Maith of Essex County, a student at Northumberland High School, $1,500
Together, the eight students earned $14,000 in scholarships.
“For 25 years, our electric cooperatives have invested in the young people we serve,” said Brian Mosier, president and CEO of VMDAEC, in an April 14 news release. “This program reflects the cooperative principle of ‘concern for community’ while supporting future leaders — whether they serve on co-op boards, join our workforce, or pursue skilled trades that help keep the lights on. At a time of rising education costs and financial pressure in many rural communities, these scholarships help students build a strong foundation for the future.”
Since 2001, the foundation has awarded more than 1,350 scholarships totaling $1.4 million to graduating seniors pursuing college, technical or trade education. Scholarship recipients must live within the service areas of VMDAEC’s 16 member cooperatives, which include 13 in Virginia, two in Maryland and one in Delaware. Funds are paid directly to each student’s institution to help with tuition or room and board.
The scholarship program is supported by private donations and proceeds from the “Keeping the Lights On” commemorative Virginia license plate. Additional contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible, and all donations support student scholarships.
For more information, visit vmdaec.com/scholarshipfoundation.
About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Serving more than 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Information from a release.
