Six graduating seniors from area high schools will each receive a $1,500 scholarship from Fayette Electric Cooperative’s 2021 Rural Scholarship Program, announced David Lehmann, president of the FEC board of directors and Gary Don Nietsche, general manager of the Cooperative. 

Each year, graduating seniors from 14 area high schools can compete for one of the six scholarships offered through Fayette EC’s Rural Scholarship Program.  Established in 1998, the program has awarded scholarships to 132 students whose parents or legal guardians reside full-time in the Cooperative’s service territory. 

An independent panel of judges scores 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. 

This year’s scholarship winners are: Jolie Gutierrez, La Grange High School; Regan Lux, Schulenburg High School; Kalyn Hernadez, La Grange High School; Erica Otto, Schulenburg High School; Samantha Henke, Hallettsville High School; and Corina Blazek, Round Top-Carmine High School. 

“Fayette Electric Cooperative 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 the future leaders of the rural communities that we serve,” said Gary Don Nietsche, FEC general manager. 

Organized in 1937, Fayette Electric Cooperative provides reliable, cost-effective service to over 10,000 members in portions of Fayette, Bastrop, Lee, Washington, Austin, Colorado, and Lavaca counties. FEC owns and maintains 2,948 miles of line and serves over 15,290 meters.