MRES awards scholarships to 12 high school graduates

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA - Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) has awarded 12 scholarships to high school graduates as part of its annual commitment to supporting education and the development of future professionals in the energy industry.

Five students from MRES member communities received a $1,000 renewable general scholarship to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university. These scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years, based on academic performance and other criteria, for a potential total value of $4,000.

Seven students received a one-time $2,000 powerline scholarship, designated for those enrolling in a powerline-related program at a regional technical college.

Recipients of the $1,000 renewable general scholarships are:

• Ryken Orel, Winner, South Dakota, plans to attend Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, majoring in civil engineering.
• Thea Jennewein, Vermillion, South Dakota, plans to attend Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, majoring in electrical engineering.
• Anna Banck, Luverne, Minnesota, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, majoring in mathematics.
• Malory Kemp, Cavalier, North Dakota, plans to attend South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, majoring in civil engineering.
• Kyra Van Berkum, Rock Rapids, Iowa, plans to attend Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, majoring in mathematics.

Recipients of the $2,000 one-time powerline scholarships are:

• Cameron Markuson, Henning, Minnesota, plans to enroll in the Substation Electrician Program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena, Minnesota.

All six of the following plan to enroll in the Powerline Construction and Maintenance Program at Mitchell (South Dakota) Technical College.

• Colten Preheim, Parker, South Dakota
• Lucas Klepel, Odessa, Minnesota
• Kody Kneebone, Flandreau, South Dakota
• Karter Weber, Plankinton, South Dakota
• Tye McGraw, Raymond, South Dakota
• Sutton Squires, Alexandria, South Dakota

"We're proud to support students in our local communities as they take the next step after high school," said MRES President and CEO Matt Schull. "Building a strong future workforce means investing in students who understand public power, local service and the essential role lineworkers and other energy professionals play in keeping our communities powered."

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For more information, please contact MRES Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer Alex Abplanalp at 605-338-4042 or [email protected].

About Missouri River Energy Services

Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) is a not-for-profit joint-action agency that provides wholesale electricity and energy-related services to 61 member municipalities in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. MRES is committed to enhancing the value of member utilities to their communities by supplying reliable, cost-effective, long-term energy and energy services in a fiscally responsible and environmentally sensitive manner.

About Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency

Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA) was incorporated on June 16, 1976, as a municipal corporation and political subdivision of Minnesota. WMMPA has a formal relationship with MRES through which WMMPA finances the construction and acquisition of the generation and transmission facilities for MRES members. MRES provides the administrative services to manage WMMPA's portfolios. WMMPA's membership includes most of the Minnesota members of MRES.