Scholarships & More...
Walter Harrison Scholarship
Each year the Walter Harrison Scholarship program awards $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and undergraduate students attending any vocational school or two- or four-year accredited college or university in Georgia. More than $90,000 has been awarded since the program began in 1985. The scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.
Georgia's EMCs started the scholarship program in 1985 to honor the late Walter Harrison. Harrison was known in Georgia and across the nation as "Mr. Rural Electrification: for his pioneering efforts in the electrical cooperative industry and for his lifelong dedication to improving life in rural areas.
Congratulations to the 2005 Walter Harrison Scholarships recipients:
- Allie Chambers of Gray - Tri-County EMC
- Kathy Tran of Warner Robins - Flint Energies
- Dedra Casey of Ellijay - Amicalola EMC
- Daniel O'Connor of Ailey - Altamaha EMC
- Kami Bosworth of St. Marys - Okefenoke REMC
- Nikki Yu of Thomaston - Upson EMC
- Christa Veal of Wrightsville - Washington EMC
For more information, or to apply for a scholarship, please contact your local EMC. GRESCO/Capstone Utilities also supports the program and can submit applications for scholarships.
EMC/FFA Electrification Contest
The EMC/FFA Electrification Contest is a program of the Agricultural Education program of the Georgia Department of Education - organized as a Career Development Event through local FFA chapters and sponsored by the Electric Membership Corporations of Georgia. Participants can win scholarship funds to use at any college, university or vocational school in Georgia.
The contest is designed to reinforce the electrical wiring being taught in the vocational agriculture education program, and to provide high school students the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about electric energy. Students also learn more about the EMCs expanding role in meeting Georgia's electrical energy needs.
View photos from the Jan. 15 State contest.
Tell me more about the EMC/FFA program.
Washington Youth Tour
Once a year, high school students are selected by the electric cooperatives in Georgia to represent our state as delegates on the Washington Youth Tour. This top-notch leadership experience and tour of our nation's capitol includes meetings with state and national leaders and leadership training, as well as visits to all the major sights. Participants join over 1,300 other students from around the nation- all expenses paid - for one incredible week in our nation's capital. More details>>>
Cooperative Youth Leadership Conference
Each year the EMCs of Georgia choose students to attend the Georgia Cooperative Council's Youth Leadership Conference. The sponsoring EMC covers all conference fees for youth that attend. The three-day conference is held each July at the FFA Camp in Covington, which offers participants the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding, canoeing and swimming.
Through teambuilding exercises, personality assessments and an in-depth look into the cooperatives, the conference provides leadership training for participants, explores the cooperative way of doing business and heightens awareness of cooperatives in Georgia. Information about the conference is available on the Georgia Co-op Council's Web site. If you are interested in this opportunity, contact a member services representative at Washington EMC.