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Supporting Students in 2023
By: Steve Sokolowski, Marketing Associate
Email: ssokolowski@sussexrec.com
Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative has been a force for good in our community for 85 years. Among our educational efforts to support our community’s next generation of leaders, we offer programs that are specifically attuned to students in high school.
This of course includes Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. that SREC participates in along with rural electric co-ops from around the country. By applying before the deadline of February 17, 2022, local high school juniors have the chance to explore our nation’s capital, meet with their representatives, and learn about their role in our system. Youth Tour participation also allows students to become eligible for certain scholarships in our catalogue of scholarships and awards.
Our scholarships and awards are available to local high school seniors who live in homes powered by SREC. We have several options available to eligible students, funded either through unclaimed capital credit monies that would have been escheated to the State or through our statewide and national associations. Below are the SREC-funded awards:
• The James Howard Goodwin Scholarship - Provided by SREC to students seeking a college education after graduation. SREC offers up to three $2,000 scholarships each year. Applications are currently open with a due date of March 7, 2023.
• The SREC Trade School/Certification Scholarship - Provided by SREC to students pursuing a trade school or certification program after graduation. SREC offers up to two $2,000 scholarships each year. Applications are currently open with a due date of March 7, 2023.
• The Ray Cordts Community Champion Award - NEW in 2023: Provided by SREC to students who have demonstrated a commitment to working for the benefit of their community or their school. Pursuit of a college degree or certification after graduation is NOT required to receive this award. Each year, up to two students may receive this award. Selected students will receive a $500 award with an additional donation of $500 in their name going to an organization of their choice. Applications are currently open with a due date of March 7, 2023.
SREC member students are also eligible to apply for three scholarships offered through our statewide and national associations. The William F. Matson Scholarship from PREA offers a minimum of five $1,000 scholarships offered each year to co-op member students from NJ or PA. The Jody Loudenslager Scholarship from PREA offers two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded yearly to Youth Tour alumni from NJ or PA. And the Glenn English Foundation Scholarship from NRECA offers four $1,000 scholarships and one $10,000 will be awarded yearly to Youth Tour alumni from across the country. Applications for these scholarships are not yet available, but you can find more information on each of them at www.sussexrec.com/scholarships.
If you have a child who is a junior or senior in high school, please be sure to share these great opportunities with them! Your Co-op exists for the benefit of its members, and we hope that our programs can contribute to the success of the young people in our communities. Stay mindful of the application deadlines for each opportunity to make sure you don’t miss your chance to apply!
![A black and white background image of Washington, D.C. with photos from past Youth Tour trips in the foreground. Text reads: "Washington, D.C. Youth Tour. LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS: If your home is powered by Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative, you can apply for the trip of a lifetime: an all-expense-paid trip to our nation's capital! Applications are due February 17, 2023! www.njyouthtour.com" An image of Uncle Sam is displayed on the right side, alongisde text reading "WE WANT YOU!"](http://sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Youth%20Tour%20ad.png)
![Light blue background with winter plantlife and snowflakes around the edges. Text reads: "Tuesday, Nov. 1 - Friday, Dec. 16 FOOD DRIVE to benefit Sussex County Division of Social Services. Donate at SREC's office across from the Sussex Airport. www.sussexrec.com/collections](http://sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Food%20Drive%20web%20Winter.png)
![Blue infographic showing refrigerator. Text reads: "Keep Food Safe During and After a Power Outage. Refrigerated or frozen foods may not be safe to eat after a power outage. Use these tips to minimize food loss and reduce risk of illness. Refrigerated food will last four hours. After four hours, place refrigerated foods in a cooler with ice. Food in a half-full frezzer will last 24 hours. Food in a full freezer will last 48 hours. Food Safety Tips: 1.) Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. 2.) Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. 3.) Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator after four hours without power or a cold source (like a cooler with ice). When in doubt, throw it out!](http://sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Keep%20Food%20Safe%20During%20A%20Power%20Outage.jpg)
![It's easier than ever to pay your bill! Go to www.srecbillpay.com. Pay Online, Pay by Phone, Pay by Text, Schedule a Payment, AutoPay (it's FREE when you use e-check), Paperless. We accept eCheck, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and more!](http://sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Bill%20Pay%202.png)
![MEDICAL ALERT PROGRAM - Do you rely on electric-powered medical equipment? Enroll in our Medical Alert Program to receive advance notice of planned outages. www.sussexrec.com/medalert](http://sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Medical%20Alert%202.png)