Lane Electric Cooperative has recognized students in its service territory for their past work and their future goals. Four area students are receiving Lane Electric scholarships to help with tuition and fees, including Creswell, Lowell and Blue River residents.
Cunningham
Carter Cunningham, Creswell: $3,000
Cunningham is following in his dad’s footsteps. Jason Cunningham is an accountant and according to Carter, “Dad’s been pretty successful at it.” Carter plans to use his Lane Electric Cooperative scholarship to help with his expenses at UO.
“I’m pretty good with numbers, I like doing math, so it makes sense for me to pursue accounting,” Cunningham said.
The recent Creswell High School graduate was student body president in his final year and was a member and then president of both the school’s National Honor Society chapter and Future Business Leaders of America club. He also played basketball and golf during his four high school years.
Chapman
Audra Chapman, Lowell: $3,500
COVID-19 ruined Chapman’s travel plans in 2020. She had been selected as Lane Electric Cooperative’s representative on the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour, but the trip to Washington, D.C., was canceled by the pandemic.
To recognize Audra and to help ease her disappointment in not being able to make the trip, the cooperative presented her with a scholarship of $3,500 – the amount that would have been spent if the trip had been made.
Chapman, a recent graduate of Lowell High School, plans to attend Oregon State University and major in mechanical engineering. She has been accepted into Navy ROTC at OSU and would like to become a naval aviator.
Burnett
Melony Burnett, Lowell: $4,500
After working the past 17 years in real estate, Melony Burnett decided it was time for a change. She began her career transition earlier this year by enrolling at Lane Community College for winter term. She is working on a two-year transfer degree in general counseling for adults. Melony graduated from Springfield High School in 1999 and moved to the San Francisco area, where she began her real estate career. She moved back to Lane County in 2014.
“I want a career that will allow me to continue making a positive impact in the community. I think there is a continuous need for counselors who are skilled in helping adults,” Burnett said.
Andrews
Emily Andrews, Blue River: $4,500
Two major fire events are behind Andrews’ plans for her future. The Blue River resident and high school senior plans to attend Lane Community College and pursue a career in firefighting paramedicine. She will begin her college studies this fall.
Neither fire destroyed the properties of Andrews’ family, but they left a lasting impression. “They definitely had a very big impact on me,” said Andrews, who is a senior graduate of Frontier Charter Academy, an online school.
