Aiken Electric awards scholarships

Aiken Electric Cooperative recently awarded three college scholarships to local graduating seniors. One $1,000 Trustee scholarship was awarded to Alexis Coleman and two Touchstone Energy scholarships were awarded to Garrett Sharpe and Shane Hutto.

The Trustee scholarship, personally funded by the Cooperative's trustees, was awarded to Alexis Coleman, a graduate of North Augusta High School. She plans to attend Clemson University to study accounting. On receiving her Aiken Electric scholarship, Coleman said, "I am looking forward to the challenges ahead which would not have been possible without your help."

The Touchstone Energy scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors, one planning to attend a four-year university or college and another planning to enroll in a two-year technical school. Competitive selection for this scholarship is based on academics, extracurricular activities, community involvement, self-analysis and an essay.

Garrett Sharpe, a graduate of Swansea High School, was awarded the Touchstone Energy scholarship for a four-year university or college. He plans to attend the University of South Carolina to study nuclear or mechanical engineering.

The winner of the two-year technical school scholarship was Zachary Shane Hutto, a graduate of Wagener-Salley High School. He plans to attend Midlands Technical School to study physical therapy.

High school seniors whose primary residence is served by Aiken Electric Cooperative are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Scholarship applications will be available Jan. 2012 at Aiken Co-op offices, on the website www.aikenco-op.org or by calling (800) 922-1262.