The URE scholarship program sought out the best of the best among area high school seniors. URE offers college scholarships for high school seniors who receive electric service from URE.
All candidates this year had outstanding academic records as well as heavy involvement in their community and school activities. These finalists also had to demonstrate verbal communication skills and knowledge of the electric cooperative system in a panel interview.
URE’s four-year path first-place winner, Caridad Dupote-Fosnot, will compete against representatives from each of Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives in a contest for additional scholarship awards. Statewide winners will be announced next month.
Four-Year Path Winners
Caridad Dupote-Fosmot
First place – $2,000
Caridad is the daughter of Vera Fosnot and Osvaldo Dupote of Plain City and is a senior at Dublin Jerome High School. Cari impressed the judges with her cooperative knowledge and engaging interview.
Cari’s science teacher says, “Cari is a well-rounded student who has achieved success in academics but also in many aspects of our community here in Dublin. This bodes well for her future career aspirations in medicine — specifically neuroscience or genetic engineering.”
Alyssa Beeching
Second place – $1,500
Alyssa is the daughter of Tisha Beeching and Michael Beeching of Marysville and is a senior at Marysville High School. Alyssa is interested in pursuing a degree in economics and political science, with aspirations to become a lawyer to help her community.
She has been described by her AP English teacher as “part of a fun, cheerful group of students who have traveled together through the honors program at the high school.” Alyssa is very involved in band activities and volunteers at the Columbus Zoo, in addition to working at a part-time job.
Elizabeth Lombardi
Third place – $1,000
Elizabeth is the daughter of Maggie and Brent Lombardi of Plain City and is a senior at Jonathan Alder High School. Elizabeth’s college interest will focus on finance with a minor in entrepreneurship.
Elizabeth says her National Honor Society group struggled to find service projects during COVID. She saw a need and created a partnership with a fourth-grade classroom. Handwritten notes served as a new connection and mentorship program between high school and elementary students, creating a lot of smiles while enhancing the fourth graders’ letter-writing skills.
Two-Year Path Winners
Area schools have increased the programming and curriculums focusing on career readiness, STEM, and other academic programs in high-demand employment fields. We want to make sure our scholarship programs keep pace with the pathways today’s students are exploring.
Last year, we announced a new scholarship opportunity for high school seniors planning on continuing their education at either a community college or technical school. These scholarship opportunities are in addition to our scholarship opportunities for high school seniors planning on continuing their education at a four-year college or university.
Audrey Ferguson
First place – $1,500
Audrey is the daughter of April Ferguson and Steve Ferguson of West Mansfield and is a senior at North Union High School. Audrey plans to follow her passion and become a dental hygienist.
Audrey says, “I’ve always been that weird child that was excited to go to the dentist and not just because I would get a prize out of the treasure chest, but because it fascinated me.”
Nominated by her peers for numerous concert awards stating her willingness to help others, her focused energy and positive attitude makes Audrey an excellent representative of URE cooperative values.
Olivia Vollrath
Second place – $1,000
Olivia is the daughter of Melissa and Kevin Vollrath and is a senior at Fairbanks High School. After much research, and many volunteer hours at Memorial Hospital, Olivia pivoted from attending a four-year college to a technical degree in diagnostic sonography.
Olivia says, “The cost and financial burden of obtaining a four-year degree versus the same value I will get from a technical degree — there is no comparison.”
Her teacher and FCCLA advisor says, “Liv is an incredible student and role model for her peers. She sets high standards and works hard to achieve them.”