United Cooperative Services recently announced that 16 member-students have been selected to receive a share of $45,000 in scholarship funds as part of the cooperative’s 2025 scholarship program.
This year’s top honors went to Jenny Nguyen of Venus High School, who received a $10,000 scholarship. Lilah Eakes of Grandview High School earned the $5,000 secondplace award, while Cadian Allen of Stephenville High School took third place and received $4,000. The remaining 13 recipients were each awarded $2,000.
“At United, we’re deeply committed to the communities we serve,” said CEO Cameron Smallwood. “Our scholarship program is one of the most impactful ways we can invest in the future. Education creates opportunities, and we’re proud to support these exceptional students as they take the next step toward achieving their dreams.”
Recipients were chosen by a panel of independent judges who evaluated applicants based on academic achievements, community involvement and other criteria. Scholarships were awarded to students who are members of United or dependents of members.
With this year’s awards, United has now contributed more than $1.6 million toward higher education for nearly 1,100 deserving students since launching its scholarship program more than two decades ago.
The program began in the late 1990s, after House Bill 3203 allowed Texas electric cooperatives to repurpose unclaimed member dividends to fund community programs like student scholarships. This legislative change enabled United to redirect funds that would have otherwise gone to the state’s general revenue, using them instead to meet local needs throughout its service area.
Other recipients of the 2025 United scholarship include: ■ Bryce Andrews, home school student (Stephenville)
■ Seth Beneze, Glen Rose High School
■ Emily Bettiga, White Horse Christian Academy
■ Emma Douglas, Stephenville High School
■ Avery Goodwin, Tarleton
State University
■ Hugo Ibarra, Keene High School
■ Sam Lewis, home school student (Stephenville)
■ Ella Magallan, Burleson Centennial High School
■ Abigail Pennington, Burleson Centennial High School
■ Corbin Powell, Santo High School
■ Samuel Rogers, Arlington Heights High School (Cleburne)
■ Jacob Scarborough, Stephenville High School
■ Sean Wood, Huckabay High School —submitted