April 23, 2025, Press Release from Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative:
PAULDING, Ohio — Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative (PPEC) is proud to announce the recipients of its scholarship and youth program opportunities. A total of $10,000 in scholarships was awarded to local students, along with several students selected to represent the co-op in statewide and national youth leadership experiences.
Children of Members Scholarship Winners
PPEC awarded eight scholarships through its Children of Members Scholarship Program, which honors academic excellence, leadership, and future goals of high school seniors whose families are PPEC members.
- 1st Place ($1,000): Laney Hedrick, Ottawa-Glandorf High School. Daughter of Jason and Wendy Hedrick. Plans to attend Rhodes State College to major in nursing. Laney will also compete for an additional statewide scholarship through Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives in April.
- 2nd Place ($750): Grace Goyings, Paulding High School. Daughter of Trent and Kelly Goyings. Plans to major in biology with a marine/aquatic focus and minor in horticulture or botany at either Miami University or Bowling Green State University.
- 3rd Place ($500): Makenna Smith, Woodland High School. Daughter of Bradley and Elaine Smith. Plans to study elementary education at either Purdue University West Lafayette or Purdue Fort Wayne.
Honorable Mention ($250 each):
- Ryan Verhoff, Kalida High School – Plans to study engineering or computer science at The Ohio State University or the University of Cincinnati.
- Reagan Miller, Ottawa-Glandorf High School – Plans to major in primary education at The Ohio State University – Lima or the University of Toledo.
- Abby Hohlbein, Ottoville High School – Will study motorsports marketing at the University of Northwestern Ohio.
- Kaylyn Gerold, Lincolnview High School – Plans to pursue a nursing degree at the University of Cincinnati.
- Noah Schroeder, Ottawa-Glandorf High School – Will study music education at the University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music.
Community Champion Scholarship Winner
The $1,500 Community Champion Scholarship is awarded to a student who has made a positive impact in their community, based on nominations or letters of recommendation.
This year’s recipient is Olivia Edwards, a senior at Woodlan High School and the daughter of Jodee Hirsch. Olivia plans to attend Purdue Fort Wayne to major in business administration. She has made a significant impact through efforts like starting her school’s Polar Plunge team, raising funds for Special Olympics, helping Woodlan become a “Champions Together School,” and volunteering with the humane society, the Salvation Army, the American Heart Association, and local food outreach programs.
General Scholarship Drawing Winners
During PPEC’s annual meeting broadcast on March 22, ten $500 scholarships were awarded through a random drawing open to members and their children pursuing college, trade, or technical programs.
The students that were drawn were:
- Lillian Wyatt – Fort Jennings
- Elizabeth Meyer – Fort Jennings
- Wesyn Ludwig – Convoy
- Morgan Hoersten – Cloverdale
- Evan Crosby – Payne
- Destiny Pier – Continental
- Leyna Nagel – Hoagland
- Nicholas Sinn – Haviland
- Allison Richman – Fort Wayne
- Rose Turnwald – Ottawa
Youth Tour Delegates
Two high school sophomores will represent PPEC on the 2025 Youth Tour to Washington D.C., June 15-21.
- Noah Brinkman, Ottawa-Glandorf High School. Son of Dean and Allyson Brinkman.
- Ella Crosby, Wayne Trace High School. Daughter of Chad and Angela Crosby.
Youth Tour offers students a once-in-a-lifetime leadership experience in our nation’s capital, including visits to historic landmarks, Smithsonian museums, Arlington National Cemetery, Gettysburg, and meetings with congressional leaders. Nearly 40 Ohio students and over 1,800 nationwide will attend.
Camp Kilowatt Participants
Four local middle school students will attend Camp Kilowatt, an interactive energy camp for incoming seventh graders, held June 4-7 at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana.
This year’s campers are:
- Alexandria Short – Convoy
- Gavin Thomas – Oakwood
- Isabella Kuhlman – Ottawa
- Ryleigh Littrell – Monroeville
Camp Kilowatt features fun and educational activities like bucket truck rides, rock climbing, archery, ziplining, and a live line safety demonstration to help students learn about electricity and safety while building leadership skills and friendships.
Applications for all PPEC youth programs – including scholarships, Youth Tour, and Camp Kilowatt – open in December and close in February each year. For more details, visit www.PPEC.coop/BrightFutures or call 800-686-2357.
