Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative (PPEC) knows career preparation can be expensive. That’s why one of PPEC’s cooperative principles, “Education, Training, and Information,” aims to uplift the next generation of leaders and help them succeed through the co-op’s Children of Members Scholarship Program.
First place, $1,000
Local senior Owen Van Horn of Heritage Junior-Senior High School in Monroeville, IN, received top honors in the 2022 PPEC scholarship competition. He will represent PPEC in Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives’ statewide scholarship competition, where he will compete for up to $3,800 in additional funds. $41,800 will be awarded between all contestants at the statewide level. Additionally, first-place winner Kate Farr of Antwerp High School will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Owen is the son of Kurt and Kelly Van Horn of Monroeville, IN. He is very active in his community and high school while still maintaining a 4.34 GPA and becoming his class Valedictorian. Owen has been a 4-H member for 10 years and an FFA member for six years, earning several awards and holding club officer positions. Owen has been accepted to multiple colleges and plans to major in physics, astrophysics, and astronomy.
Kate is the daughter of Richard and Melanie Farr of Antwerp, OH. Kate is a Quill & Scroll Honor Society member and was the first student from Ohio to serve on the National Board of high school journalists. Kate will be focusing on journalism/mass communications at an undecided college. Kate is already an award-winning journalist with more than 15 national awards. She uses her skills on the Archer Yearbook staff and while serving on the Ohio Scholastic Media Association Student Board. She participates in cross county, choir, and theater – all while ranking Valedictorian of her class.
Second place, $800
Second-place winners Reed Schumacher (Columbus Grove High School, OH) and Kiersten Kemper (Ottoville High School, OH) will each receive $800 scholarships. Reed lives in Columbus Grove and is the son of Randall and Roxanne Schumacher. He will be attending either University of Toledo or Ohio Northern, majoring in computer science and computer engineering. Kiersten resides in Cloverdale with her parents Terry and Kelly Kemper. She wants to major in pharmacy at either The University of Findlay or Ohio Northern University.
Third place, $600
Third-place winners Nicholas Wurst (Fort Jennings High School, OH) and Colin Bradtmueller (Woodlan Jr/Sr High School, IN) won $600 scholarships. Nicholas is the son of Ryan and Melissa Wurst of Fort Jennings, OH. He has been accepted to Rhodes State College and plans to major in nursing. Colin is the son of Carl and Carrie Bradtmuller, who reside in Woodburn, IN. He will be majoring in computer engineering at either Purdue West Lafayette or Purdue Fort Wayne.
At-Large Winner, $600
Miller City High School senior Nicole Ellerbrock is the at-large winner of a $600 scholarship. She is the daughter of David and Ruth Ellerbrock of Leipsic, OH. She will be attending the University of Findlay and will be majoring in animal science – pre-veterinary.
Scholarship applications typically open each year in December for high school seniors who are children of PPEC members. Interested parents and students can visit ppec.coop/scholarships for more information.
