Fredericksburg, Va. — Seventeen local students have earned a combined $20,000 in scholarships from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), supporting their plans to continue their education at colleges, universities and technical schools.
The students were selected through REC’s Community Scholarship program, which has supported students across the Cooperative’s service territory since 1996. Over that time, REC has helped more than 100 students pursue their educational and career goals.
The 2026 scholarship awards include two $2,500 scholarships and fifteen $1,000 scholarships. Recipients were selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement and letters of recommendation.
“These students are bright young members of the communities REC is proud to serve, and their achievements and aspirations reflect the promise of our region’s future,” said Casey Hollins, Managing Director – Communications and Public Relations. “Their dedication, leadership and commitment to their goals stand out, and REC is honored to help support their next step. Particularly promising are our two $2,500 awardees, who are clearly on the path to a bright future.”
Miriam Oster of Hanover County, a $2,500 scholarship recipient, was valedictorian of Patrick Henry High School’s Class of 2026 and a previous West Point Leadership Award winner. She served as a leader in the JROTC program and was an avid and capable runner who also excelled in multiple Advanced Placement courses throughout her high school studies.
Khushi Mitchell of Frederick County is also a $2,500 awardee. She is a deans’ List student at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and has won multiple academic awards in both high school and college, including the President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence. She is also active in her university’s research program as an undergraduate research assistant.
Applicants for the REC Community Scholarship must be high school seniors or currently enrolled college or trade school students whose parent or guardian is an REC member-owner. Eligible applicants must plan to enroll, or already be enrolled, in an accredited educational or training institution. REC selects scholarship recipients based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement and letters of recommendation.
2026 scholarship awardees are:
Aidan Loucks, Hanover County, Patrick Henry HS
Aidan Parker, Frederick County, Virginia Tech
Ethan Lantz, King and Queen County, West Point HS
Evan Taylor, Greene County, William Monroe HS
Jacob Reichert, Clarke County, Clarke County HS
Josephine Austin, Frederick County, Sherando HS
Kayleigh McFarren, Spotsylvania County, Massaponax HS
Khushi Mitchell, Frederick County, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Kyndal Shuler, Fauquier County, University of Virginia
Lila Edwards, Greene County, William Monroe HS
Lilly Grimsley, Rappahannock County, Rappahannock County HS
Maya Tabor, Orange County, James Madison University
McKenna Condrey, Essex County, University of Lynchburg
Miriam Oster, Hanover County, Patrick Henry HS
Nigel Foster, Frederick County, Millbrook HS
Owen Yarrington, Louisa County, Louisa County HS
Paris Bacon, Essex County, Hampton University
About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Serving more than 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
