OEC awards Freeland, OLSA scholarships

Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives rewarded 11 high school seniors for exceptional academic achievement in the Louise Freeland and Ohio Line Supervisors Association (OLSA) scholarship competitions, held virtually on March 9.

Two panels of independent judges reviewed the applications and interviewed the students before determining the winners.

Louise Freeland Scholarships

Named in honor of a long-time employee of Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, the Louise Freeland Scholarships are awarded annually to the children of electric cooperative employees and trustees.

Annabelle Blosser, Elizabeth Nicol, Aidan Schmidt, and Kaylee Smith were awarded $3,000 Freeland scholarships.

  • Blosser is a senior at The Linsley School. Her father, Scott Blosser, works for Cardinal Operating Company.
  • Nicol is a senior at Fairbanks High School. Her father, Martin Nicol, works for Union Rural Electric Cooperative.
  • Schmidt is a senior at Celina High School. His father, Kevin Schmidt, works for Midwest Electric.
  • Smith is a senior at North Union High School. Her father, Anthony Smith, works for Union Rural Electric Cooperative.

Blaine Bishop, Ryan Magill, Noah Struck, and Mckinlee Yoho were awarded $1,200 Freeland scholarships.

  • Bishop is a senior at Colonel Crawford High School. His father, Kevin Bishop, is a trustee for North Central Electric Cooperative.
  • Magill is a senior at Fairfield Union High School. His mother, Annette, works for South Central Power.
  • Struck is a senior at Cardington-Lincoln High School. His father, Michael Struck, is a trustee for Consolidated Cooperative. 
  • Yoho is a senior at Valley High School. Her father, Sean Yoho, works for Cardinal Operating Company.

OLSA Scholarships

Lynnea Crock, Mackenzie Lape, and Cameron Hill were awarded first, second, and third place, respectively, in the OLSA Scholarship competition.

OLSA is an association of the line supervisors of 25 electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia, affiliated with Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.

  • Crock, winner of the $2,000 first-place scholarship, is a senior at Maysville High School. Her father, Ray Crock, works for Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative.
  • Lape, winner of the $1,500 second-place scholarship, is a senior at Lancaster High School. Her father, Justin Lape, works at South Central Power.
  • Hill, winner of the $1,000 third-place scholarship, is a senior at West Muskingum High School. His father, Brian Hill, works for Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative.