2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Education is the building block of a strong community. That’s why we offer scholarships for high school students whose parents are cooperative members. We hope these scholarships prepare the recipients for leadership roles in our community.

SASHA KROEGER is the son of Michael Kroeger. He is graduating from Ross High School and will attend college to major in business analytics, human capital management, and leadership. Sasha’s favorite extracurricular activity in high school is being a member and senior year captain of the Ross High School soccer team. He also volunteers at JEE Foods, a student-run nonprofit organization, and works as a soccer referee and at New Life Furniture and Thrift Store. After college, Sasha would like to pursue an internship and begin a career as a consultant.

As the recipient of the Michael L. Sims Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Sasha will receive $2,500 each year of his college career for up to four years. He will compete for up to $4,300 in additional scholarships from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. Michael L. Sims was Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s general manager who retired in 2020 after working at the cooperative for 44 years.

EMMA PUCKETT is the daughter of Laura and Thomas Puckett. She is graduating from Talawanda High School and plans to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to major in agricultural communications. Emma is the Talawanda/Butler Tech FFA chapter president, the Butler County Junior Fair Board president, and the president of her 4-H club. She is also a 4-H camp counselor, is a member of the Cobblestone Community Church worship team and kids ministry volunteer, and is involved in volleyball and choir.

Emma is the recipient of the cooperative’s $2,500 Thomas Humbach Scholarship. Thomas Humbach was Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s attorney from 1983 until his retirement in 2021.

ABIGAIL GARLAND is the daughter of Matthew and Summer Garland. She is graduating from Talawanda High School and will attend college to major in food policy and agriculture advocacy and education. Abigail is a member of the Butler County Junior Fair Board, was a Butler Rural Electric Cooperative delegate on the 2023 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C., and is a member of Talawanda High School’s varsity field hockey team. She is also the reporter for the Talawanda/Butler Tech FFA chapter and works for the City of Oxford, the Butler County Board of Elections, and Gillespie Feed and Farm Supply. Abigail would like to work as an education specialist for the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture after college.

Abigail is the recipient of the $2,500 R. Fred Woodruff Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. R. Fred Woodruff was the cooperative’s first attorney. He was hired by the board of trustees shortly after graduating from the University of Cincinnati’s law school in 1938 and retired in 1983.

SOPHIA YERKES is the daughter of Jessica Yerkes. She is graduating from Ross High School and will attend The Ohio State University to major in agricultural systems management. Sophia is the team captain of the Ross High School soccer team and is involved in the Okeana/Ross Ski Club. She works at Burwinkel Farm and John. T. Nieman Nursery and Landscaping. Sophia looks forward to working in the agricultural field after college.

Sophia is the recipient of the cooperative’s $1,500 Touchstone Energy Achievement Scholarship, which is awarded to a high school senior who is attending a technical college or trade school after graduation.

DYLAN PENCE is the son of David Pence. He is graduating from Ross High School and will attend college to major in business administration. Dylan is involved in Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America; volunteers at Matthew 25 Ministries; is a student council officer; and was a Butler Rural Electric Cooperative delegate on the 2023 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. He is also a crew member at Raising Cane’s. Dylan’s favorite activity in high school is marching band. He looks forward to making new friends and learning more about business in college.

MADDIE SACKENHEIM is the daughter of Matthew and Whitney Sackenheim. She is graduating from Ross High School and will attend medical school to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist. Maddie is the president of the Wrangler B.R.A.T.S. 4-H club, is the team captain of the Ross High School volleyball team, and is the Ross junior class vice president. She is also the Ross High School swim team captain, is a member of the Ross/Butler Tech FFA Chapter, and is involved in Ross DECA, which is a professional organization for students enrolled in Butler Tech Business.

MORGAN SLY is the daughter of Lisa and Michael Sly. She is graduating from Talawanda High School and will attend college to major in applied mathematics. Morgan is a member of Oxford and Talawanda’s swim and dive teams. She is also involved in the Talawanda High School orchestra, field hockey team, and drama club, and writes and edits articles for the Talawanda Tribune. Morgan works as a swim and dive coach and also fosters cats for the Animal Adoption Foundation.

LILY WOLF is the daughter of Robert Wolf. She is graduating from Edgewood High School and will attend Murray State University to major in agronomy crop and soil science and agricultural business. Lily is involved in Butler County 4-H, the Butler County Junior Fair Board, and FFA. She is also the student body vice president and works for State Street Coffee, Hiltbrand Trucking, and Shepherd Showstock. Lily looks forward to developing more efficient ways to grow crops and using technological advancements in the agriculture industry while in college.