5/7/2010 1:08:52 PM

Leah Coates of Colonial Beach and Kristen Connelly of Lancaster have each earned $1,000 college scholarships awarded by the Educational Scholarship Foundation of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives.

Leah, a senior at Washington & Lee High School, is the daughter of Robert and Laura Coates. Upon graduation, she will attend the University of Virginia.

Kristen, a senior at Lancaster High School, is the daughter of Sheri Talley. Upon graduation, she will enroll at James Madison University.

Both students were awarded these scholarships based on a competitive screening process and were eligible for consideration because their parents are consumer-members of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC). Recipients are chosen based on three major criteria: financial need (40 percent), academic achievement (40 percent) and community involvement (20 percent). Applicants must also provide evidence of their acceptance in a post-high school educational institution or program.

This year, the VMDAEC Educational Scholarship Foundation is awarding 27 $1,000 Worth Hudson scholarships to students who live in areas served by electric cooperatives in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia and can be used to pay for tuition, fees and books.

The scholarships are named in honor of Worth Hudson, the first chairman of the VMDAEC Educational Scholarship Foundation and former chairman of the board of directors of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative in Chase City, Va. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has awarded 289 scholarships totaling $198,500. The Foundation is funded through tax-deductible donations from individuals and VMDAEC member electric cooperatives and also from the proceeds from events such as the annual Gaff-n-Go Linemans Rodeo and Golf Tournament. The number of scholarships awarded each year is based upon funds available.

Founded in 1944, VMDAEC is the trade association for Northern Neck Electric Cooperative and the 15 other electric co-ops that serve Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. It is based in Glen Allen, Va. and provides safety and employee training, governmental relations, communications, including the publication of Cooperative Living magazine, and other services to its member cooperatives. For more information on VMDAEC and the scholarship program, visit www.vmdaec.com or www.co-opliving.com .