By Rick Lemonds, president & CEO
I’ve written often about South Central Power Company’s investments in infrastructure and technology to prepare us for the future. It’s important to know that our cooperative also invests in the people who will lead us in that future.
Because today’s children and youth will be tomorrow’s cooperative members, employees, and leaders, South Central Power supports their education and growth through safety presentations and grants to schools, child- and youth-focused community organizations, higher education scholarships, the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, and internships.
You, our members, play a key role in all of these endeavors. More than 89% of you round up your bills to the next dollar each month, funding South Central Power Company Foundation’s support for many of our youth and community programs.
School and community programs
South Central Power employees regularly visit schools to teach about electrical safety through Safety Town presentations for younger children and live-line demonstrations for high-schoolers. This outreach into schools provides potentially life-saving knowledge about the dangers of electricity and also introduces students to their cooperative, maybe even sparking interest in co-op careers.
Additionally, we actively support and encourage our young members by contributing to county fairs, purchasing 4-H livestock projects, providing grants to local schools, and participating in worthy fundraisers like the Boys & Girls Club’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake.
Youth Tour
Each year, South Central Power sponsors two local delegates to the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, an annual weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., that gives students the chance to learn about the cooperative business model, visit historic and cultural sites, meet with their congressional representatives, and participate in leadership development activities.
Often described as the “trip of a lifetime,” Youth Tour allows local high school students to network with delegates from rural communities around the state and across the country, often forming lasting friendships. In 2024, the Ohio delegation added a stop on the way home at the Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant, Ohio, showing students where their power comes from and further strengthening their relationship with the cooperative. We’re now accepting applications for the 2025 Youth Tour, which will take place June 15–21. Learn more about Youth Tour on page 19.
Scholarships
We believe strongly in the power of education and help the children of our members pursue opportunities after high school. Each year, we award $1,000 scholarships to about 100 high school seniors. To meet the diverse needs and goals of our students, we provide scholarships for academic excellence, career-technical training, community involvement, leadership, and opportunity. Since the South Central Power Company Foundation was founded in 2014, we’ve provided $954,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Our top student each year goes on to compete for additional scholarships through Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. Applications are now open for 2025 scholarships. Learn more about our scholarship program on page 18.
Internships
South Central Power supports hands-on learning through its internship program, which brings college and high school students into various departments each summer. Some interns have become full-time employees, contributing to the development of a smarter, stronger electric grid. Others have made valuable contributions and gained experience before returning to college or moving on to other jobs. It’s always gratifying to see so many bright and promising students living and working in the communities we serve. When I see their work in action, I know our future in Ohio is brighter because of them.
Our area’s young people are our greatest resource and the key to a promising and prosperous future for our communities and our co-op. Thank you for helping South Central Power provide opportunities for them to learn, grow, and prepare to be tomorrow’s leaders.
From the January 2025 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living.