As one of the seven Cooperative principles, "Concern for Community", is demonstrated by Pella Cooperative Electric with its belief in empowering our youth. One of the ways the co-op adheres to this principle is through a $1,000 scholarship in each school district within the co-op's service territory.
These school districts include: Grinnell, Knoxville, Lynnville-Sully, Newton, North Mahaska, PCM, Pella Christian, Pella High, Pleasantville, Twin Cedars, and a homeschool student in any of the districts.
"We believe in investing in future leaders in our communities which is why we award up to $11,000 in scholarships every year to graduating seniors," said Doug Stewart, Pella Cooperative Electric CEO. "We want to thank all the seniors who applied to our scholarship program and congratulate the class of 2022."
This year, Pella Cooperative Electric awarded eight $1,000 scholarships to outstanding local high school seniors. Get to know these talented students.
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Luke Thompson, son of Morgan and Rebecca Pryor, was the winner of the $1,000 scholarship for the Grinnell School District. Thompson will be attending Des Moines Area Community College to study business.
The recipient of the $1,000 scholarship for the Knoxville School District was Benjamin VandeKamp, son of Troy and Angela VandeKamp. He will be attending the University of Iowa to study computer science.
Sydney Jansen, daughter of Nathan and Kim Jansen, was the recipient of the $1,000 scholarship for the Lynnville-Sully School District. Jansen will be attending Iowa State University to study agriculture.
The winner of the $1,000 scholarship for the Pella High School District was Gage Huyser, son of Chad and Valerie Huyser. He will be attending Central College to study business finance.
Carter Vos, son of Matt and Lisa Vos, received the $1,000 scholarship for the Pella Christian School District. Vos will be attending Des Moines Area Community College and later Iowa State University to study engineering.
Cody Metcalf, son of Michael and Lindsay Metcalf, was the winner of the $1,000 scholarship for the Pleasantville School District. Metcalf will be attending Northwest Iowa Community College for lineman training.
The recipient of the $1,000 scholarship for the Twin Cedars School District was Ali Mockenhaupt, daughter of Abby Mockenhaupt and Jade Mockenhaupt. She will be attending Elmhurst University studying communication sciences and disorders.
The winner of the $1,000 scholarship for the homeschools student was Braden Arends, son of Chris and Jonie Arends. Arends will be attending Dordt University to study theology.
To be eligible for the PCEA scholarship, students must be a high school senior, carry a minimum 3.0 grade point average, must reside in the co-ops service territory, share a personal letter, and answer the question: Why are electric cooperatives important? Scholarship recipients are reviewed and selected by the co-op and through the Pella Dollars for Scholars program.