Firelands Electric awards $10,000 in scholarships to area youth

Alayna Ruggles of New London High School and Alex Hill of Ashland High School are the first-place winners of $1,500 scholarships in the local contest sponsored by Firelands Electric Cooperative for high school seniors.  Both winners qualified for the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives' state contest to be held on May 12, in Columbus, where they will complete with representatives from Ohio's 25 other rural electric Cooperatives for additional scholarships ranging up to $2,500.

Alayna is the daughter of Randy and Karen Ruggles of New London.  She plans to study nursing and is undecided on where she will attend college.  Alex is the son of Steven and Patti Hill of Ashland.  His plan is to study aeronautical engineering at The Ohio State University.

Second-place winners of $1,250 each are Nicole Ruffing of Monroeville High School and Daniel Marcum of Madison High School.  Nicole is the daughter of Timothy and Valerie Ruffing of Monroeville, and plans to study biological sciences or pre-med at Wright State University.  Daniel is the son of Monica Massa and Donald Marcum, and is currently undecided on his major and where he will attend college.

Third-place winners of $1,000 each are Kathryn Sharpnack of Hillsdale High School and Clay Risinger of Madison High School.  Kathryn is the daughter of David and Deborah Sharpnack of Jeromesville.  She plans to study civil engineering at The Ohio State University.  Clay the son of Saunsia Risinger of Mansfield.  He plans to attend The Ohio State University, where he will study business-finance.

Fourth-place winners of $750 each are Emma Schwinn of New London High School and Mackenzie Eash of Lucas High School.  Emma is the daughter of Robert and Beck Schwinn of New London, and plans to attend Bluffton University, and study early childhood education.  Mackenzie is the son of Jason and Melanie Wesley of Lucas, and plans to study pre-medicine at Kent State University.

Fifth-place winners of $500 each are Christen Chaffins and Kasey Peeler, both of Willard High School.  Christen is the daughter of Greg and Debora Chaffins of Willard, and will study pharmacy at Ohio Northern University.  Kasey is the daughter of Donald and Angela Peeler of Willard.  She plans to attend The University of Findlay, majoring in pharmacy.

Firelands Electric, A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain and Richland counties.  Firelands’ Senior Scholarship Contest is offered annually to children of co-op members who are graduating high school seniors and reside in a home served by Firelands Electric Cooperative. Click here to view more information on Firelands' annual youth programs.