Press Release
The Education Scholarship Foundation of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) awarded four Central Virginia high school seniors a $1,000 Worth M. Hudson Scholarship, named for the first chairman of the foundation. The 2023 recipients include:
Artela Aljiji of Troy, a graduate of Fluvanna County High School, who is the daughter of Bukurije and Berhan Aljiji.
Erika Schmack of Scottsville, a graduate of Fluvanna County High School, who is the daughter of Richard Schmack.
Trevor Brown of Louisa, a graduate of Goochland High School, who is the son of Barry Brown.
Katie Conroy of Appomattox, a graduate of Appomattox County High School, who is the daughter of Kristin Conroy.
The Roberta I. Harlowe Scholarship, named for the past chair of the scholarship fund and a current member of the CVEC board of directors, in the amount of $2,000 was awarded to
Candace Fitzgerald of Arrington, a graduate of Nelson County High School, who is the daughter of Emily Hobgood.
These five high school seniors were eligible for consideration because their parents are consumer-members of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative. “The cost of college and post-graduation training programs are steadily rising and CVEC recognizes that seniors in our rural communities can benefit from scholarships to help offset those costs,” says Gary Wood, president and CEO of CVEC. “We are proud to help these five deserving high school seniors to continue their education, whether at a college or university or in learning a trade.”
Recipients were chosen based on a competitive screening process that considers financial need (40 percent), academic achievement (40 percent) and community involvement (20 percent).
Applicants must be a senior graduating from either high school or home school in 2023.
They must also provide evidence of their acceptance into a post-high school educational institution or program. These grants can be used to pay for tuition, fees, and books.
“These scholarships reflect the strong commitment of electric cooperatives to advancing educational opportunities among our youth,” said Russell G. “Rusty” Brown, chair of the Education Scholarship Foundation Board and chair of the board of directors of the VMD Association. “We commend these students on their academic success, knowing they represent a future generation of leaders in their communities.”
