(Cumming, GA, May 28, 2020)   The Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation (Foundation) announced today that it recently awarded twenty-five (25) local high school seniors each with a $5,000 scholarship in support of its mission to support education in the areas served by Sawnee EMC. This year the 2020 Youth Scholarships are named after longtime Sawnee EMC Director, Mr. Frank Coker. Mr. Coker served on the Board of Directors representing the members of District #1 (Birmingham) for 45 years. Mr. Coker passed away on January 12, 2020.  “The Youth Scholarship Program is a shining example of what the Foundation and Sawnee EMC are all about, which is their commitment to be a partner and supporter in the various communities Sawnee EMC serves,” states Blake House, Vice President of Sawnee EMC’s Member Services. 

Sawnee EMC Foundation scholarship recipients for 2020 are:
  

• Ms. Ashlynn Anglin              Dawson County High School

• Mr. Micah Bettis                   Chattahoochee High School

• Mr. Harly Devilla                   Dawson County High School

• Ms. Catherine Edgmon        Forsyth Central High School

• Ms. Kimberly Fallas              Forsyth Central High School

• Ms. Sydney Gosdin              The King’s Academy    

• Ms. Cathryn Gray                 Centennial High School

• Mr. Andrew Johnson            North Forsyth High School

• Mr. Aidan May                      Lumpkin County High School

• Mr. Matthew McKenna         Forsyth Central High School

• Mr. Jack McConnell              Providence Christian Academy

• Ms. Haley Menees               West Forsyth High School

• Ms. Holley Murray                North Forsyth High School

• Mr. Andrew Pardo                Cambridge High School

• Mr. Matthew Park                 North Gwinnett High School

• Ms. Grace Rivord                 North Gwinnett High School

• Mr. Mackwan Sringam         Forsyth Central High School

• Ms. Kara Starr                      Dawson County High School

• Ms. Jenna Lee Stevens       Rosa Lee Academy

• Ms. Odessa Stoelzel            Lambert High School

• Mr. Logan Swafford              North Forsyth High School

• Ms. Marlie Townley              Dawson County High School

• Mr. Henry Xuan                    Lambert High School

• Ms. Shelby Yarbrough          North Forsyth High School

• Mr. Braxton Zeidler               Dawson County High School

   
The funding for the scholarship program is derived from approved uses under Georgia law for Sawnee EMC’s unclaimed patronage capital funds, which are separate and apart from the funds that Sawnee members voluntarily donate to the Foundation for distribution to local charitable organizations.  

In the past fifteen (15) years, the Foundation has awarded $852,500 in scholarships to 212 exceptional high schools seniors within Sawnee EMC’s seven-county service area.

“Supporting those in need in our communities, and helping these outstanding students continue their education is a key part of meeting the Foundation’s core mission,” states Ms. Deborah Pelfrey, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board.  

Questions about this program or the Sawnee Foundation can be found online at www.sawnee.com/round_up or directed to Mrs. Cindy Badgett, Director of External Affairs for Sawnee EMC at 678-455-1399 or via email at cindy.badgett@sawnee.com.
 
About Sawnee EMC and the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation   
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. Sawnee serves electricity to approximately 184,000 accounts in seven (7) counties of greater north Georgia. The Sawnee Foundation was created in 2003 with the mission of providing charitable donations within the Sawnee communities. The Foundation exists to enhance the way of life for those in need, with financial assistance to selected charitable organizations.