San Luis Valley REC makes secondary education a priority when giving back to the Valley. With just over $205,000 given in the past six years, REC annually awards up to 12 scholarships to local students.
The awards are primarily reserved for REC members, although a few of the scholarships are available to other Valley students as well.
“My experience so far at Adams has been different than most years due to COVID-19. My major is GeoSciences, which is the study of the earth, so I am taking geology and chemistry. By being a GeoScience major I am able to work in the museum that the department has,” said Adams State freshman Alyssa Mortensen.
Alyssa was awarded the 2020 SLV REC Adams State University Four-Year Scholarship, which is renewable for up to a maximum of four years. The value of the scholarship equals the total of in-state tuition, some fees and a book allowance for the award year.
Alyssa hopes to become a hydrologist after completing her degree. She wants to leave Colorado and discover the rest of the world.
“By receiving the REC four-year scholarship, I am able to focus on my schooling and not have to stress about money. I am able to spend my free time studying for my classes,” she commented.
In addition to the four-year scholarship, REC awards an Electric Lineworker Scholarship, which may be used at any accredited lineworker school. The value of the scholarship is $4,000 and may be used to cover tuition costs, required textbooks or minimal basic tools for the program. Although first consideration will be given to graduating high school seniors, this scholarship is open to all individuals.
Isaias Minchaca, 2020 lineworker scholarship recipient, is currently pursuing his lineman career at Rocky Mountain Lineman School in Colorado Springs. He plans to graduate in November and already has a job offer to start working on his apprentice lineman certificate. Minchaca stated, “the REC scholarship will help pay for most of my tools and books needed, allowing me to focus on my academic pursuits. Without REC, I wouldn’t be able to focus and achieve the grades necessary to fulfill my professional ambition of becoming a lineman. Thank you for your continued support and investment in my future.”
Other scholarships include the following:
The $1,000 Robert Wolfe Scholarship was established for students furthering their education in an agricultural or engineering field and may be used at any trade school, college or university.
A student looking to further their education at any trade school, college or university should apply for the SLVREC Past Director Scholarship and the SLVREC Past Retired GM Ray Villyard & CEO John Villyard Scholarship, both of which are valued at $1,000/each.
The $1,000 Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship is available to dependents of members. In addition, six Tri-State G&T Scholarships are offered at $500 each. Dependents of employees and directors of SLVREC are eligible for one of these scholarships, as are members.
For full requirements and details, see the application online at slvrec.com/scholarships