Each year, Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative offers four $750 scholarships to area high schools. These high schools are rotated every year throughout the service area. The applications are sent to third-party judges to be reviewed and graded to ensure any bias is eliminated and the most qualified candidates are the recipients. This year, scholarships were awarded to one graduating senior at Alton, Bakersfield, Eminence and Willow Springs.
2026 graduates receiving the scholarship are Emma Trantham, Alton; Miley Edens, Bakersfield; Quinci Stringer, Eminence and Dylan Ferguson, Willow Springs. Each student was presented with a certificate and letter explaining the scholarship is payable to the school and should be claimed by December 31, 2026, by contacting Member Services at HOEC.
Trantham plans to attend College of the Ozarks and is interested in Nutrition. She has been involved in FFA serving as an officer for two years; BETA Club filling officer roles; Student Council; FCA; Audition Choir; FCCLA, and on the high school basketball and softball teams. She also volunteered with the Oregon County Food Pantry and delivered meals to families in need.
Edens is attending Southwest Baptist University to purse a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been active the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; FBLA; Student Council serving as secretary; National Honor Society; as well as class president. Through many of these groups she helped her neighbors and community after the tornado in March 2025.
Stringer is attending University of Missouri in Columbia to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She has been involved in Cheer; Band, BETA, Math and Science Club; Pathways; Softball and Drama during high school. She grew up around horses and this led to her dream of being able to help them and becoming a vet. She is also a member of the National Guard and is completing her Advanced Individual Training for the Army this summer. She was recognized as Honor Grad (top 10 out of 3,000) at basic combat training.
Ferguson is attending North American Lineman Training Center in Tennessee to receive his lineman certification. In high school he played football and was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was also very active in FFA and competed in spring contests, attending state competitions for Agriculture Mechanics. He works for a local farm; commodity feed store and helps local farmers in the area when needed. "I want to come back to my community and give back to the community and people that raised me by working hard to keep their lights on."
Congratulations to the students on receiving the scholarships. "This program aligns with our Cooperative Principles," explained CEO/General Manager Aaron Wheeler. "Education, training and information and concern for community are two of the principles that fit these scholarships we extend to students," he added.
Scholarships will be awarded in 2027 to one senior each at Couch, Dora, West Plains and Winona. Applications will be available in early 2027 through the school counselors.
