Applications open for annual scholarships

NEW LONDON — Applications are now open for Firelands Electric Cooperative's annual scholarship and Youth Tour programs. Students who reside in a home receiving its electric power from the cooperative are eligible to apply. Complete guidelines and materials can be found under the Community tab at www.firelandsec.com. CHILDREN OF MEMBERS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Firelands Electric Cooperative will award $9,750 in college scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Ten students will be awarded scholarships the following scholarships: a first-place scholarship of $1,800; second place of $1,600; third place of $1,400; fourth place of $1,200; fifth place of $1,000, and sixth place of $750. Two students will also be chosen to receive $500 Honorable Mention Scholarships, and two additional students will each be awarded a $500 Judges' Choice Scholarship. The first-place winner in Firelands' contest will also be eligible to compete for additional scholarships worth up to $4,100 from Ohio's Electric Cooperatives at the statewide contest in Columbus on April 12, 2023. CAREER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM This year, Firelands Electric will also award a $750 scholarship to one outstanding high school senior who has a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale with plans to enter a career or vocational-based training program following graduation. This scholarship is intended for programs that will earn the student an associate degree or other certificate of completion beyond the high school level. Examples include, but are not limited to, dental hygienist, phlebotomy, nursing, vet tech, electrician, HVAC, plumbing, computer technology, auto mechanics, welding, and machinist. Once applications are reviewed, selected finalists will be invited for a personal interview at Firelands Electric's office in New London on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. 2023 YOUTH TOUR EXPERIENCE Firelands Electric Cooperative, in cooperation with Ohio's Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), will sponsor up to two students on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 17 to 23. Applicants must be high school sophomores or juniors living in a home served by the cooperative. The students chosen to represent Firelands Electric will join approximately 40 other students from electric cooperatives across Ohio — and nearly 2,000 nationwide — as they tour the sights in and around our nation's capital. They will also have the chance to meet and talk with congressional and government leaders and learn about the important role that electric cooperatives play in their local communities. Additional information about this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity is available at www.firelandsec.com/youth- tour-experience and at www.electric.coop, under the Learn More section. Scholarship and Youth Tour applications must be received in the Firelands Electric Cooperative office by 4 p.m. Jan. 20, 2023. Submissions should be mailed to: Attn: Scholarship Coordinator, Firelands Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 32, New London, OH 44851. Applications may also be sent via email to members@firelandsec.com. If you have any questions regarding these programs, contact Firelands Electric Cooperative's Member Services Dept. at 800-533-8658 or members@firelandsec.com.