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At Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, our purpose stretches beyond delivering affordable and reliable power. Our mission is to help improve the quality of life for our members and others within our service area. One of the 7 Cooperative Principles — Education, Training and Information — guides this mission.

Today’s students will become tomorrow’s leaders, skilled professionals and engaged community members who will shape the future of the Northern Neck. Every year, NNEC invests in local students through several scholarship opportunities:

  • Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Education Scholarship Foundation Worth Hudson scholarships
  • Great Aspirations Scholarship Program Inc. (GRASP)
  • Randall “Randy” Thompson Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Whether a student is pursuing a four-year degree, technical certification or workforce training, these scholarships help ease the financial burden and open doors to new opportunities.

Students throughout the Northern Neck have a wide range of interests and aspirations. By supporting a variety of scholarship programs, we can meet students where they are and help them take the next step toward achieving their goals. Scholarships totaling more than $20,000 were awarded to local students this year through various scholarship programs.

WORTH HUDSON SCHOLARSHIPS

Through the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives Education Scholarship Foundation, NNEC helps support students pursuing postsecondary education. The program is funded in part by private donations and Virginia’s “Keeping the Lights On” specialty license plate, which continues to expand opportunities for students across the commonwealth.

This year, four students from the Northern Neck were awarded Worth Hudson scholarships, named after the Foundation’s first chairman and former chairman of the board of directors of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative. Congratulations to:

  • Kalayah West, King George High School - $2,500
  • Kearstin Ferguson, Westmoreland High School - $2,000
  • Anna Cox, King George High School - $1,500
  • Aliyah Bhatti, King George High School - $1,500

GREAT ASPIRATIONS

GRASP provides need-based financial assistance to students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue higher education. The scholarships reflect a shared commitment to making education accessible and attainable.

Founded in 1983 by Sen. Walter Stosch, a longtime advocate for children, and Dr. Ray Gargiulo, a career educator, the nonprofit was created to assist and advise students in developing educational plans for life after high school. The following are students from the Northern Neck receiving GRASP scholarships this year:

  • Allen Vernell, Colonial Beach High School
  • Kaya Ball, Northumberland High School
  • Kearstin Ferguson, Westmoreland High School
  • Malachi Frazier, Northumberland High School
  • Caroline Hayes, Rappahannock High School
  • Kalin Lee, Northumberland High School
  • Elizabeth Lopez-Godines, Rappahannock High School
  • Andrew Nicholas, Westmoreland High School
  • Kimorea Taylor, Lancaster High School

RANDY THOMPSON JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Honoring the life and career of a beloved and respected member of the NNEC family, this scholarship is awarded to deserving students pursuing careers as electric utility linemen through the Power Line Worker program at Southside Virginia Community College.

Randy Thompson dedicated 36 years of service to NNEC and the Northern Neck community.

This year’s scholarship recipient, Landon Schefflein of Warsaw, graduated from the 11-week program April 30.