Central Electric Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Central Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce its 2025 scholarship recipients. Scholarships are awarded each year to dependent children of cooperative members to help pay for post-secondary education.
The $1000 Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship is awarded to one student in Central Electric's service area who plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in an agriculture-related field. The scholarship is sponsored by Jim and Cristine Headley, parents of the late Jay Headley, of White Lake. Kimball High School senior Shayda Ness, daughter of LeRoy and Sasha Ness of Kimball, was selected to receive the Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship. She plans to study Agriculture Education at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
The $1000 Basin Electric Power Cooperative scholarship is awarded to one student in Central Electric's service area who demonstrates leadership and academic excellence. Hanson High School senior Cadence Jarding, daughter of Ryan and Candise Jarding of Alexandria, was selected to receive the Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship. She plans to study Human Biology at SDSU.
New this year, the Central Electric board of directors approved up to two $500 district scholarships per county from the Basin Electric applicants. Eligible students must be the dependent of a cooperative member, and they must plan to enroll full-time at a post-secondary school this fall.
The District 1 Aurora County $500 scholars are Corsica-Stickney High School seniors Driftin Mulder and Tate Tolsma. Mulder is the son of Matthew and Amy Mulder of White Lake, and he plans to study Agronomy at SDSU. Tolsma is the son of Shannon Tolsma of Corsica and Paula Tolsma of Stickney, and he plans to study Business Economics at SDSU.
District 2 Brule County and District 3 Buffalo County did not have any scholarship applicants.
The District 4 Davison County $500 scholars are Ethan High School seniors Hunter Dean and Cole Hinckley. Dean is the son of Ray and Randa Dean of Mitchell, and he plans to study History Education at Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU). Hinckley is the son of Ryan and Devon Hinckley of Ethan, and he plans to study Business at Mitchell Technical College (MTC).
The District 5 Hanson County $500 scholars are Mitchell High School seniors Amelia Gerlach and Sutton Thompson. Gerlach is the daughter of Scott and Nicole Gerlach of Mitchell, and she plans to study Pre-Physical Therapy or Nursing at Augustana University. Thompson is the son of Ryan and Lisa Thompson of Mitchell, and he plans to study Financial Technology at Augustana University.
The District 6 Jerauld County $500 scholar is Wessington Springs High School senior Taylor Braun. Braun is the daughter of Todd and Jill Braun of Wessington Springs, and she plans to study Elementary Education.
The District 7 Miner County $500 scholars are Howard High School seniors Hanna Dold and Kenya Kizer. Dold is the daughter of Brian Dold and Jill Dold of Howard, and she plans to study Business at Dakota State University (DSU). Kizer is the daughter of Brian and Heather Kizer of Howard, and she plans to study Elementary Education at DSU.
The District 8 Sanborn County $500 scholars are Hanson High School senior Avarie Prien and Woonsocket High School senior Tatiana Roberts. Prien is the daughter of Fred and Michelle Prien of Letcher, and she plans to study Medical Laboratory Sciences at USD. Roberts is the daughter of Samuel Roberts and Jelitza Willems-Roberts of Woonsocket, and she plans to study Nursing at USD.
Two $500 Central Electric scholarships are awarded to member-dependent students enrolled in eligible programs at Mitchell Technical College. Students apply through the MTC Foundation and are objectively ranked by the school. Agricultural Business major Zachary Baker, son of Matt and Jolene Baker of Mount Vernon, was awarded a $500 Central Electric MTC scholarship. Agricultural Business major Brendan Thompson, son of Brad and Kristi Thompson of Pukwana, was also awarded a $500 Central Electric MTC scholarship.
Central Electric is a member-owned cooperative serving mostly rural portions of Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Miner and Sanborn Counties. To learn more about Central Electric's scholarships and youth programs, visit www.centralec.coop.
Annual Scholarship Programs
Each year, Central Electric offers academic scholarships. Applications are made available in the fall and they are due in January. Eligible high school seniors must reside in Central Electric Cooperative's territory and be the dependent of a Central Electric Cooperative member whose primary residence is served by the cooperative. Children and dependents of cooperative employees and board members are not eligible for member scholarships.
$500 District Scholarships - Deadline Jan. 30
New in 2025, Central Electric is offering up to sixteen $500 District Scholarships. Up to two scholarships per county will be awarded from the Basin Electric Scholarship list of applicants that are not selected for that scholarship. The student must complete the Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship application and have their primary residence served by Central Electric to qualify. The winners of the $1000 Basin Electric Scholarship and $1000 Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship are not eligible for the $500 District Scholarship. Children and dependents of cooperative employees and board members are not eligible for this scholarship.
$1000 Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship - Deadline Jan. 30
Basin Electric Power Cooperative is a wholesale electric generation and transmission cooperative in North Dakota that was formed to provide reliable low-cost power for their members. Central Electric Cooperative is a member of Basin Electric Power Cooperative.
Each year, Basin Electric Power Cooperative awards one $1,000 scholarship to a dependent of a member-owner of Central Electric Cooperative. The winner of the Basin Electric Scholarship is not eligible for the District Scholarship or the Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship. Children and dependents of cooperative employees and board members are not eligible for this scholarship.
To be eligible, a student must be:
1) a dependent of a member-owner whose primary residence receives electric service from Central Electric Cooperative;
2) enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited post-secondary institution; and
3) a U.S. citizen.
Basin Electric Scholarship Application
Completed applications should be postmarked no later than Jan. 31 and mailed to Central Electric Cooperative, PO Box 850, Mitchell SD 57301, or emailed to cec@centralec.coop.
$1000 Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship - Deadline Jan. 30
One Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 is awarded in honor of the late Jay Headley of White Lake. The winner of the Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship is not eligible to receive the Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship or the District Scholarship. Children and dependents of cooperative employees and board members are not eligible for this scholarship.
To be eligible, a student must be:
1) a dependent of a member-owner whose primary residence receives electric service from Central Electric Cooperative;
2) pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field; and
3) a U.S. citizen.
Jay Headley Memorial Scholarship Application
Completed applications should be postmarked no later than Jan. 31 and mailed to Central Electric Cooperative, PO Box 850, Mitchell SD 57301, or emailed to cec@centralec.coop.
$500 Mitchell Technical College Scholarships
Two $500 scholarships are applied for through the school. Applicants must be a Central Electric Cooperative member or the child of a member in a qualified field of study. Children and dependents of cooperative employees and board members are not eligible for this scholarship.