FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grand Valley Power Selects 2024 Scholarship and Youth Leadership Program Winners
ELEVEN STUDENTS AWARDED GVP SCHOLARSHIPS AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (May 30, 2024) – The Grand Valley Power Scholarship Selection Committee has chosen eight outstanding students to receive college scholarships. In addition, the Grand Valley Power Member and Community Relations Committee has selected three students to attend the 2024 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp and Washington D.C. Youth Tour.
The Scholarship Selection Committee comprises past educators appointed by the board of directors. The committee selects recipients based on various qualifications such as academic performance, essay composition, academic and personal achievements, financial need, and community or school involvement. Applicants must also pursue undergraduate degrees or vocational certificates and reside in a home that receives electricity from Grand Valley Power. Since 1996, Grand Valley Power has awarded more than $296,000 to students who are continuing their education.
The Grand Valley Power Member and Community Relations Committee, comprised of members of the Board of Directors, determines the recipients of the Youth Leadership programs, including the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp and Washington D.C. Youth Tour. Students are selected based on an essay submission and application and reside in a home that receives electricity from Grand Valley Power.
The 2024 scholarship and youth program recipients are:
Jack Broughton – Colorado Mesa University Scholarship
$2,000 (renewable up to four years)
Madison Hawkins is a graduating senior from Fruita Monument High School with plans to attend Colorado Mesa University to study Agriculture or Physical Therapy. Madison holds certificates in Emergency Medical Response (EMR), Veterinary Technology (Vet Tech), and welding. She is actively involved in the National Honor Society and has her own business, Euphoria, which offers presentations and toolkits to help children and families with emotional regulation.
Grand Valley Power Scholarship
This one-time $1,500 scholarship (per person) is awarded to students who plan to attend an accredited institution of post-secondary education.
Tiyala Holton is a graduating senior from Central High School who plans to study Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. Tiyala is fascinated by electrical systems and wants to improve the quality of electrical systems, specifically in struggling communities. Outside of the classroom Tiyala volunteers with the Outdoor Wilderness Lab, Salvation Army Angel Tree, and Roice Hurst Humane Society to give back to the community.
Anna Stone Ewing is a graduating senior from Grand Junction High School. Anna will attend Wellesley College in the fall to pursue studies in Astrophysics. Anna first developed her love of astrophysics during a three-week long summer camp hosted by Center for Bright Kids. Whether it is learning to create a large-scale telescope, earning her first-degree black belt in Jeet Kune Do, or participating in and winning the 2023 Knowledge Bowl State Championship and the 2023 State Science Bowl, Anna has a passion for bettering herself and those around her.
Colton Eckardt plans to study Biology with a minor in Forensic Science at Colorado Mesa University after he graduates from Caprock Academy in May. While dyslexia can be difficult for some, Colton, who also has dyslexia, uses this opportunity to encourage and inspire other dyslexic youth through action and volunteering with the Dyslexia Foundation of Western Colorado. Colton is also active in his church and school organizations such as National Honor Society, the Caprock Academy High School band, and Central High School’s baseball team and several other competitive teams.
Lilly Preston is a graduating senior at Palisade High School who plans to study Biology at the University of Utah with an emphasis in dentistry and orthodontics. In 2023, Lilly received the Female Junior of the Year award sponsored by the Masonic Lodge. As part of the Live Above the Influence committee, Lilly organized a safety awareness campaign at Palisade High School about drunk driving and substance abuse that spanned an entire week, culminating in a life-like mock car crash. The week-long campaign brought awareness to the student body regarding the consequences of drinking and driving under the influence. Lilly volunteers at the Food Bank of the Rockies, helps organize Palisade High School’s canned food drive committee and is part of Student Council, the Mentor program, and National Honor Society.
Fernando Gutierrez is a graduating Grand Junction High School senior who intends to study Business Administration at Colorado Mesa University. Fernando is engaged in the Empowering Dedicated Underrepresented Kids Today (EDUKT) Club at GJHS, which plans and organizes various events and activities to promote underrepresented students and cultures. Fernando finds opportunities to build upon his leadership, service, and organizational skills through events such as the Day of the Dead and Cesar Chavez festivals. He is also involved in the GJHS School of Business, which teaches students how to be business owners. Through these endeavors, Fernando aims to transform societies and uplift individuals within the community.
Marisa Martinez is currently enrolled at Regis University studying Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. Marisa’s goal is to continue promoting technological advances through code, networks, and software. In 2023, Marisa was chosen as Grand Valley Power’s Washington D.C. Youth Tour delegate, where she toured the capitol, learned about American history, the political process, and interacted with elected officials. Marisa spends her free time volunteering for organizations such as the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots.
2024 Cooperative Youth Camp
Two students were selected to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to the Cooperative Leadership Camp in Clark, Colo. Grand Valley Power’s youth programs provide students with a hands-on leadership experience where students leave with a better understanding of the cooperative business model and memories of a lifetime.
Alana Wade is a Grand Junction High School junior involved in Student Council and Mesa County Libraries’ Gathering of Awesome Teens (GOAT). As a GOAT member, she shares ideas for teen programming and services. In addition to hiking, camping, and crafting, Alana won first place in the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture’s Art Beat contest for her creative writing piece. Alana hopes attending the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp will enhance her leadership and social skills.
Sydney Maurer is a junior at Palisade High School in the International Baccalaureate Program. Sydney has positively impacted the Western Slope through fundraising for The House, a local non-profit, and by serving and supporting other organizations through her role as Vice President of the Palisade National Honor Society. Sydney is looking forward to a deeper understanding of how politics intertwine with energy cooperatives. Sydney
is excited to work with and learn from fellow students at the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp.
2024 Washington D.C. Youth Tour
One student was selected to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to the Washington D.C. Youth Tour. This trip allows students to experience American history firsthand and meet our nation's leaders.
Liliana Davis is a junior at Central High School excited to attend the Washington D.C. Youth Tour to explore this historic area of the United States of America. When Liliana is not playing volleyball, painting, or drawing, she enjoys volunteering for the Special Olympics and appreciates the joy she feels while serving others.
About Grand Valley Power
Organized in 1936, Grand Valley Power is the oldest rural not-for-profit electric cooperative in Colorado. Serving 19,000 meters in Mesa County and surrounding areas, Grand Valley Power is dedicated to empowering lives with hometown service and delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. For more information visit gvp.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.