Wednesday, January 11, 2012 8:36 am

Middle Tennessee Electric’s Operation Round Up program will fund 10 scholarships for $2,000 each to students in the cooperative’s service area again this year.

“We’re excited about the success of this program and look forward to seeing these funds put toward such a well-deserving cause again this year,” MTEMC Customers Care Board Chairman Doretha Wright said. “The scholarship program enhances the education outreach of our Customers Care program.”

A scholarship candidate must be an MTEMC member or a child of an MTEMC member, and he or she must use the scholarship monies to attend a Tennessee two- or four-year accredited college or trade school. 

Anyone interested must fill out an application and write a one-page essay stating how the scholarship funds would benefit his or her personal goals. The essay should be typed and double-spaced on white paper. Essays will be judged by a group of volunteer school teachers from the Middle Tennessee Electric service area.

“One of the cooperative’s seven principles is a commitment to education,” MTEMC Community Relations Coordinator Cathy Mitchell said. “This is just another way we’re able to contribute to our membership and assist with our education outreach. 

“The scholarship applicants will be judged on a point system. They will be graded on a financial needs assessment, current grade point average, involvement in community service, leadership roles and essay score. At least one of the 10 scholarships will be awarded in each MTEMC district.”

The deadline to submit scholarship essays and applications is Wednesday, Feb. 15. This year’s scholarship winners will be announced July 18-20.

For more information, contact Mitchell at 615-494-1065 or log on to www.mtemc.com.

Middle Tennessee Electric, one of the nation's largest electric distribution cooperatives, serves nearly 185,000 members in Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Cannon counties.