Students in Benson, Sierra Vista, St. David and Willcox Receive Awards
For Immediate Release
July 6, 2020
Contacts:
- Geoff Oldfather, (520) 586-5465, C: (520) 444-3473, email Geoff Oldfather
- J.D. Wallace, (520) 586-5157, C: (520) 235-4203, email J.D. Wallace
Benson – Arizona G&T Cooperatives (AzGT) awarded scholarships to four college-bound seniors in June. Scholarships of $2,000 each went to:
- Rebekah Claus-Walker, Valley Union High School
- Dabnee Martin, St. David High School
- Daniella Pando, Willcox High School and
- Vanesa Romero, Benson High School.
From staying home in their last months of high school to watching virtual award presentations that replaced the usual ceremonies, the students endured many changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This scholarship lessened some of the stress that my family and I were facing and has truly been beyond helpful,” said Romero. “I am so grateful for the aid!” Romero plans to attend the University of Arizona Honors College this fall with the goal of becoming a surgeon.
Students were judged based on their applications and their school and community participation. “It’s always wonderful to see what kind of kids are here in our rural communities and how dedicated they are to achieving success,” said Shannon Garner, one of seven members of an AzGT employee committee that judged applicants.
Pando also intends to study medicine at the University of Arizona Honors College. “Being a first-generation student is intimidating because of all the unknowns,” she said. “This scholarship relieves a great deal of that stress off my shoulders.” She hopes to become a pediatrician.
“I know that AzGT cares about its community and the education of up-and-coming generations of high-school students,” said Martin, who plans to study hospitality and tourism at Northern Arizona University.
Claus-Walker plans to study agricultural accounting, attending Cochise College first and then transferring to the University of Arizona. Each recipient will receive $1000 for the fall semester and another $1000 for the spring.
About Arizona G&T Cooperatives
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) and Sierra Southwest (Sierra) together comprise Arizona G&T Cooperatives. AEPCO owns and operates the 625-megawatt (MW) (combined gross) Apache Generating Station, located at Cochise, east of Benson. AEPCO also owns, operates and maintains 866 miles of electric power transmission line—including line owned in part with other utilities—and 36 substations to provide wholesale electric power from Apache to 6 Member distribution cooperatives in southern Arizona, western New Mexico, northwestern Arizona and California.
Sierra is the vehicle to develop new ways to serve the renewable energy needs of AzGT Member cooperatives and customers, and helps maximize solar and other renewable tax credits. Sierra has initiated 2 utility-scale solar projects. AEPCO’s 20 MW Apache Solar project is located on AEPCO property adjacent to and northeast of Apache Generating Station. The second project includes SunAnza Phase I, a 2 MW solar array, as well as SunAnza Phase II, which includes an additional 1.4 MW solar array and a battery storage system, all on property owned by Anza Electric Cooperative adjacent to its headquarters in Anza, California.
Combined, the distribution cooperatives that receive AEPCO’s wholesale power serve more than 161,000 meters representing more than 420,000 individual residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial member/consumers.
The Class A Member cooperatives that receive wholesale power from AEPCO include Duncan Valley Electric Cooperative, Duncan; Graham County Electric Cooperative, Pima; Mohave Electric Cooperative, Bullhead City; Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, Willcox; Trico Electric Cooperative, Marana; and a California member, Anza Electric Cooperative, Anza.
These Member cooperatives own AzGT and, by extension, AzGT’s Member distribution cooperatives are owned by their members—the people at the end of the line who use the power.
AEPCO also serves 5 Class D energy services Members which are scheduling and trading customers and which include the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, Phoenix, AZ; Lincoln County Power District #1, Pioche, NV; Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; Southwest Public Power Agency, Maricopa, AZ; and Valley Electric Association, Pahrump, NV.
AEPCO is also a Member/owner of ACES, a nationwide energy management company that helps its Members and customers buy, sell, and manage energy more efficiently and with less risk. The AEPCO/AzGT Benson campus hosts the ACES West Regional Trading Center (WRTC), which benefits AEPCO/AzGT Members and customers.