Six graduating seniors from area high schools will each receive a $1,500 scholarship from Fayette Electric Cooperative’s 2018 Rural Scholarship Program, announced David Lehmann, president of the FEC board of directors and Gary Don Nietsche, general manager of the Cooperative. 

“We are so proud of our rural youth and their accomplishments, and are pleased that the Cooperative can assist each of the winners in their quest for a higher education,” said David Lehmann, board president.  

This year’s scholarship winners are: Haley Olsovsky, daughter of Mark and Kim Olsovsky of Schulenburg; Haley Bertsch, daughter of Steven and Deborah Bertsch of Fayetteville; Bethany Stork, daughter of Laurie Stork and the late Ron Stork of La Grange; Reagan Kuck, son of Robert and April Kuck of La Grange; Allyson Hoffmann, daughter of Mark and Joan Hoffmann of Fayetteville; and Marianna Lopez, daughter of Ramon and Henrietta Lopez of Flatonia.     

Students enrolled in ten area high schools entered this year’s contest.  Since 1999, a total of $126,000 has been awarded to area students whose parents or legal guardians reside full-time in the Cooperative’s service territory. 

An independent panel of four judges scored the applicants on the following criteria:  academic excellence, involvement in extracurricular activities and community service, demonstrated leadership skills, work experience, family profile and the applicant’s narrative.  The judges comment each year that it is a difficult process since so many deserving students compete for the six scholarships. 

“Fayette Electric does more than keep the power on.  The Cooperative’s commitment to the communities in our service area includes supporting programs that provide leadership and educational opportunities for students attending schools within the seven counties that we serve,” said Gary Don Nietsche, general manager.