Above / To recognize scholastic achievement and to create greater awareness regarding issues facing today’s consumers and public power municipalities, a scholarship essay contest is open to high school seniors who are Naperville Electric Utility customers. (PN File Photo)
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Naperville’s Electric Utility, in partnership with the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA), is offering a scholarship competition program for eligible high school seniors. Applicants must be high school seniors whose parents or legal guardians are residential customers of the Naperville Electric Utility. Each applicant is asked to submit an application and an essay of 500 words or less addressing their choice of one of three utility-related questions.
For more information and an application, visit www.imea.org/imua_scholarship.aspx. The deadline for submitting applications and essays is Fri., March 9, 2018.
The scholarship program has a dual purpose: to promote and recognize scholastic achievement and to create greater awareness among young adults of the many issues facing consumers and public power municipalities today.
“Today’s energy providers, including municipally-owned and operated utilities, face many economic, environmental and other challenges, which warrant creative and innovative solutions,” Naperville Electric Utility Director Mark Curran said. “Creating a greater awareness of these issues among tomorrow’s leaders can be the first step in helping to determine effective, long-term solutions, both now and into the future.”
Kevin M. Gaden, IMUA President & CEO, said, “IMUA’s scholarship program is another example of how municipally-owned and operated utility systems can help return value to their communities while at the same time, provide a measure of financial assistance and support to those students who wish to pursue a college education.”
Since its inception in 2000, the program has awarded more than $40,000 to 80 students from 29 different IMUA member communities statewide. Last year’s winners included John “Jack” Williamson of Naperville, Benjamin Ebel of Freeburg, Evan Knoblauch of Oglesby and Shane Douglas of Waterloo.
A committee of municipal utility officials will select a total of four finalists, each of whom will receive a framed certificate and a $500 scholarship award. Winners will be announced sometime in April.
For more information, visit www.imea.org/imua_scholarship.aspx. Applicants also may contact IMUA’s DeeDee Bunch at (217) 789-4632 or dbunch@imea.org.
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