Mohave Electric Cooperative awards scholarships to local students

BULLHEAD CITY — Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) has awarded $5,000 in scholarships to two local students, highlighting the cooperative’s ongoing commitment to supporting education within the community. The announcement, made on June 17, 2024, underscores MEC’s dedication to fostering educational development and supporting the aspirations of its community members.
The recipients of this year’s scholarships are Amelia Brackett and Kaylee McNally, each receiving $2,500 to aid in their college pursuits. Brackett, a graduate of Lee Williams High School, will use her scholarship as she enters her junior year at Indiana University, where she is majoring in accounting and operations. McNally, a recent graduate of River Valley High School, will apply her scholarship towards her studies in Biomedical Science at Northern Arizona University.
Tyler Carlson, CEO of Mohave Electric Cooperative, emphasized the organization’s commitment to education, stating, “MEC is proud to continue providing the tools and resources, if and when we can, to students who are furthering their educational goals and who took the time to complete the application for MEC’s scholarship.”
The scholarship program is part of MEC’s adherence to the seven Cooperative Principles, which include education, training, and information. Funded through an assigned capital credits account, this initiative reflects MEC’s broader goal of supporting community members, including the youngest, by enhancing their educational opportunities. The annual scholarship is in addition to the significant financial contributions MEC makes to Mohave Community College for student scholarships.
Founded in 1946, Mohave Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit utility providing power to over 36,700 members through 43,500 meters. It operates more than 1,555 miles of line, serving areas from Bullhead City to Topock on the west, Hualapai to Burro Creek to the south, and Nelson to the east. This extensive service area underscores the importance of MEC’s community support initiatives, which aim to benefit residents across a wide geographic range.
In addition to the scholarship program, MEC is involved in various other educational support initiatives. The cooperative recently awarded 18 classroom grants, each worth $200, to educators for enhancing classroom learning. These grants, funded through capital credits, are aimed at supporting innovative and engaging educational projects across various schools within MEC’s service area.
MEC also partners with Western Governors University (WGU) to support the “Power Your Future” scholarship program. This initiative provides financial aid to students who are employees or members of electric cooperatives in Arizona, offering up to $3,000 per student. The scholarship aims to remove barriers to higher education for students in rural areas, allowing them to pursue degrees in fields such as K-12 education, business, healthcare, and information technology.
Another significant educational program supported by MEC is the Washington Youth Tour. This annual event, organized in collaboration with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, allows selected students to visit Washington, D.C., and learn about the nation’s history and government. While the program was temporarily suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it resumed in 2022, continuing to provide valuable experiences for local youth.
The scholarship program itself has a relatively short but impactful history. It began in 2022 with the awarding of $5,000 split between two students, and has continued annually since then. This initiative was developed specifically to support students in the cooperative’s service territory and to uphold MEC’s commitment to the Cooperative Principles.
MEC’s educational support extends beyond financial assistance. The cooperative is actively involved in various community events and programs that promote education and awareness. These include participation in career fairs, hosting educational workshops on energy efficiency, and supporting STEM education initiatives in local schools.
The impact of these programs goes beyond individual recipients. By investing in education, MEC is contributing to the long-term development and prosperity of the communities it serves. Educated community members are better equipped to contribute to local economic growth, civic engagement, and overall quality of life.
Looking to the future, MEC plans to continue and potentially expand its educational support programs. The cooperative recognizes the evolving needs of its community and is committed to adapting its initiatives to meet these changing demands. This may include exploring new scholarship opportunities, expanding partnerships with educational institutions, and developing innovative programs to support lifelong learning within the community.
As the cooperative sector continues to play a crucial role in rural and suburban development, initiatives like MEC’s scholarship program serve as a model for how these organizations can positively impact their communities beyond their primary service of providing electricity. By investing in education, MEC is not only helping individual students achieve their goals but is also contributing to the overall resilience and prosperity of the region it serves.
The success of programs like these often relies on the continued support and engagement of cooperative members. MEC encourages its members to stay informed about these initiatives and to participate in cooperative activities that support community development. Through collective effort, the cooperative and its members can continue to create meaningful opportunities for education and growth in Mohave County and beyond.
As Mohave Electric Cooperative celebrates its scholarship recipients and looks forward to future educational initiatives, it stands as a testament to the power of community-focused organizations in driving positive change and fostering the development of local talent.
— Jeremy Webb