Suffolk Student Wins $2,500 Scholarship, Plans Medical Career

A Suffolk student's dream of becoming a dermatologist just got a financial boost from an unexpected source: her local electric cooperative.

Ava Joyner, a senior at Suffolk Christian Academy, earned one of four Worth M. Hudson scholarships awarded by Community Electric Cooperative this spring. The Windsor-based cooperative distributed $7,500 total in scholarships, with individual awards ranging from $1,500 to $2,500.

Joyner plans to attend the University of Virginia and major in biology. She's already shown leadership potential through Community Electric's Youth Program, where she was selected as Virginia's delegate to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's 45-member Youth Leadership Council.

"I feel absolutely honored to have gotten this scholarship," Joyner said. "It was a huge help with financial aid and a huge relief."

The three other winners bring their own inspiring plans to the table. Matthew Cornwell from Southampton High School is headed to Liberty University to study commercial aeronautics with his sights set on becoming a pilot.

Rhea Cutchins, also from Southampton High School, will pursue criminal justice on a pre-law track in the University of South Carolina's Honors College. Windsor High School's Jorja Powell plans to study interior design at Radford University.

The Ripple Effect

These local scholarships represent something bigger. Across Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, the foundation awarded $165,000 to 92 high school seniors this year alone.

Since 2001, more than 1,350 students have received support totaling $1.4 million for college, technical or trade education. The program reflects what electric cooperatives call "concern for community," investing in future leaders who might one day serve on cooperative boards, join their workforce, or pursue skilled trades.

"We are immensely proud to be part of this program and to this year recognize four standout students from our service territory with awards that will help them pursue their academic and career goals," said Steven Harmon, Community Electric Cooperative President and CEO.

Community Electric Cooperative serves more than 12,000 homes, farms and businesses across Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, Sussex and Suffolk as a not-for-profit, member-owned energy provider.

Four students, four different dreams, and one community investment that's lighting the way forward.