Everyone has heard the expression “today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders,” which spotlights just how important it is to educate our youth and support our teachers. Here at Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC), we believe in empowering our member students to aspire for success, and believe in providing tools and resources, as best we can, to support their hard work.
Every year, MEC offers multiple programs to help teachers and students. Beginning with our $200 Classroom Grants, MEC opens the application process for teachers to submit a project description outlining the materials and costs associated with their proposed program and explaining how the $200 grant will bring the project to fruition. 2021 has been a record year with dozens of applications received. A panel reviews the applications, and MEC will announce the awards at the end of May.
Next thing you know, our juniors have matriculated all the way to Washington, D.C.! Each year, MEC awards selected member students to participate in National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Washington Youth Tour—a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to the U.S. capital. Students who attend have an opportunity to learn about the U.S. government that engages on policies important to cooperative utilities such as MEC and see firsthand America’s deep history. Member students submit a written application and speak before a panel that reviews their qualifications. The 2020 and 2021 trips were canceled as a precaution during the pandemic, and MEC offered a future trip or scholarship to winning students. We have high hopes the Washington, D.C., trip will return in 2022. I want to thank this year’s and past year’s panelists who have volunteered to interview our student applicants and who value investing in their lives and future success.
The cooperative utility industry is always changing. That includes advancements in technology and changes in traditional and renewable energy resources. Each year, MEC awards a school within our service territory a grant of $5,000 to support renewable energy curriculum. We appreciate our schools that can find new and creative ways to share information that is changing regularly.
Many of our member students that have graduated k-12 don’t stop there. Many continue to vocational programs, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, and beyond. This is why MEC is creating a scholarship program for members who are enrolled in classes at Mohave Community College. We want to support our members in their paths toward careers and industry professions. We look forward to developing our scholarship program and supporting you in the future. Look for details in upcoming MEC materials.
Also, various MEC staff attend school events and functions throughout the year. Whether invited to speak for career day or to present energy efficiency tips and lightbulbs, staff is always ready to support our schools, teachers, and students.
Planning for the future starts today. MEC wants to congratulate those who are graduating in 2021. We will continue to support our member teachers and students next school year. Be safe and enjoy the summer break.