Powering their futures

Firelands Electric Cooperative distributed $12,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and continuing students across its service area, recognizing academic performance, leadership and career plans. Taking the top award this year is Haley McNaull of Ashland High School. McNaull received the first-place $1,800 scholarship. She is the daughter of Greg and Julie McNaull of Ashland and plans to attend The Ohio State University this fall to study horticulture and crop science. Her win also qualifies her for a statewide competition April 7 in Columbus at Ohio's Electric Cooperatives. Students representing the state's 24 electric co-ops will compete for additional scholarships worth up to $4,600. The second-place $1,600 scholarship was awarded to Adelynn Smith of South Central High School. Smith, the daughter of Nick and Megan Smith of Willard, plans to major in English. She has not yet selected which college she will attend. Bryan Chaffee, also a South Central High School student, earned the third-place $1,400 scholarship. The son of Ben and Jody Chaffee of North Fairfield, he intends to study environmental engineering at Ohio Northern University. Adilynn Helbert of Ashland High School received the fourth-place $1,200 scholarship. Helbert, the daughter of Zachary and Tonya Helbert of Ashland, plans to pursue a biology degree at John Carroll University. Four additional students were selected for $1,000 Judges' Choice scholarships: • Morgan Trumpower, daughter of Aaron and Jodi Trumpower, will study nursing at North Central State College. • Emily Lamoreaux, daughter of Marc and Melia Lamoreaux, plans to attend Cedarville University, where she will major in early childhood education. • Taylor Smith, daughter of Brian and Amanda Smith, will study finance at Ashland University. • Ava Deel, daughter of Lisa Deel, plans to major in nursing at Bowling Green State University. Firelands Electric also presented its $1,000 2026 Career Scholarship to Carlee Hess of New London High School and EHOVE. Hess, the daughter of Micheal and Dawn Hess of New London, plans to enroll in the sonography program at Bowling Green State University Firelands Campus. PJ Ryan, a Lucas-area resident, received a separate $1,000 Career Scholarship intended for graduates prior to June 2024 who are returning to school to pursue a vocational or technical credential. Ryan plans to enter Stark State College's paramedic-to-RN bridge program. The cooperative said the scholarship program reflects its commitment to investing in local students who live in homes served by Firelands Electric. "These scholarships are one way we support the communities that support us," a Firelands Electric representative said. "We are proud of these students and excited to see the paths they've chosen." This year's applicants represented Ashland, Lucas, New London, Norwalk, South Central and Willard high schools. Firelands Electric is a member-owned, not-for-profit utility serving more than 9,300 members in rural portions of Ashland, Huron, Lorain and Richland counties.