Virtual Youth Experience returns in 2021
THE VIRTUAL YOUTH EXPERIENCE will take place June 21-25, in place of the COVID-cancelled Washington Youth Tour and Cooperative Youth Summit. Six high school sophomores or juniors will be selected and sponsored by Palmetto Electric Cooperative. Students will have the opportunity to discuss today’s issues with state and federal leaders from the comfort and safety of their homes using computers and mobile devices. They will also team up with other students from around the state to produce a podcast about their experiences living through a pandemic and other issues of the day. Students will have the chance to earn money for college from the podcast competition and the R.D. Bennett Community Service Scholarship. During the 2020 Virtual Youth Experience, Palmetto Electric representative, Mackenzie Starnes, was part of the winning podcast team and a recipient of a $5,000 scholarship. High school sophomores and juniors may apply. Virtual Youth Experience applicants’ primary residence must be served by Palmetto Electric. Students must submit a completed application, found HERE. SAT scores, class standing, or grade-point average are not considered. Selected finalists will participate in an interview.
Applications must be received by Friday, Feb. 26. For questions, call Brooke Mingledorff at (843) 208-5556 or 1 (800) 922-5551 or email youthtour@palmetto.coop.
PET Scholarships worth up to $5,000, $3,000
The application deadline for the Palmetto Electric Trust (PET) scholarships, worth up to $5,000 and $3,000 a year for qualified students, is Friday, Feb. 12. PET, the volunteer board that administers member donations to Operation Round Up, established the scholarships to assist qualified students in pursuit of a postsecondary education who demonstrate financial need and a willingness to learn. One PET scholarship covers up to $5,000 a year for four consecutive years at a four-year university or college. The other scholarship is for up to $3,000 a year at two-year technical colleges. Scholarships for both categories will be given to a qualifying student from each of the counties served by Palmetto Electric— southern Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton. Applicants must be legal residents of one of these counties and a high school senior scheduled to graduate in the spring of the current school year. Applicants must have a cumulative grade average between 80 and 92 and an SAT score of 800 or better, or 14 or better on the ACT, while demonstrating financial need.
Applications are available HERE. For details about PET and other Palmetto scholarships go to palmetto.coop/scholarships. Or, call Martha McMillan at (843) 208-5502 or 1 (800) 922-5551.
WIRE to award $1,000 scholarship
High school seniors in Palmetto Electric’s service area can now apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Each year, the co-op’s community outreach organization, WIRE (Women Involved in Rural Electrification), awards scholarships to deserving seniors living in southern Beaufort, Jasper or Hampton counties. Students who have average or above-average grades and demonstrate a financial need can apply. Applicants must describe in 150–200 words how the scholarship will help them accomplish their goals. Applications are available HERE. Along with the essay and application, students should submit a copy of their high school transcript.
Materials should be submitted online by Friday, Feb. 26. For details, call Missy Santorum, public relations manager, at (843) 681-0072 or 1 (800) 922-5551.