A committee of five directors of Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. (URECC) has awarded $42,000 as part of the 2009 URECC scholarship program.

General Manager John Dugan of the Gilmer-based power company stated that “URECC received 195 outstanding scholarship applications and the students who took the time to apply are to be commended for their efforts.

“We look forward to seeing all the ambitions of each student come to fruition,” he said. “In 1997, funds were made available by House Bill 3203, which allowed not-for-profit electric cooperatives like URECC to put unclaimed capital credits to use for student scholarships. This change in the law allowed URECC to take advantage of money previously lost to the state’s general revenue fund and reinvest it locally, where it will have a greater impact on the people URECC serves.

“Also we are especially pleased that for the last 11 years, URECC has played a small part in helping the scholarship recipients reach each of their individual goals.”

The URECC scholarship program adds no cost to the members’ electric bills, and is funded entirely from unclaimed capital credits that are issued by the cooperative. URECC is a locally owned, locally controlled, tax-paying business serving 10 Northeast Texas counties.

Receiving $4,000 4-year scholarships are Marie Ibarra of Gilmer ISD and Lockie Breeding of Harmony ISD.

Receiving $2,000 2-year scholarships are Joshua Busler, Gilmer ISD, and Wayne Harris Jr., Pittsburg ISD.

Receiving $1,000 one-year scholarships are Cassidi Alford, Avinger; Timothy Bauman, Gladewater; Justin Beene, Union Hill; Macy Buchanan, Hallsville; Cassie Ann Case, Gilmer; Meagan Childress, Gilmer; Lauren Clemens, Gilmer; Jeremy Cuba, Gilmer; Carrissa Davidson, home school; Ashley Dugan, Harmony; Miriam Hobma, Big Sandy; Jonathan Fowler, Gladewater; Cory Hiles, Ore City; Shannon Irby, Spring Hill; and Michael Lammert, Longview.

Also, Tobie Montelbano, New Diana; Kirbie Munden, Waskom; Ryan Nichols, Harleton; Cameron Norris, Longview; Hannah Norris, Union Grove; Heather Owens, Hawkins; Joshua Paroline, Harleton ISD; Addison Reilly, Jefferson; Chelsea Roberts, Harmony; Mallory Scrimpshire, Hallsville; Nicholas Tanner, Ore City; Juliana Tuel, White Oak; Emily Warlick, Sabine; Katherine Wilson, Harmony; and Caleb Wright, Hallsville.