Empowering Futures: Canoochee EMC Awards $77,000 in Scholarships to Local Seniors
The Canoochee EMC Foundation proudly awarded $77,000 in scholarships to 19 outstanding high school seniors across its service region in 2025. These scholarships reflect Canoochee EMC’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and strengthening local communities.
Of the 19 recipients, one exceptional student—Macey Bacon from Tattnall County High School—was honored with the Mary Shuptrine Tootle Scholarship, a prestigious $5,000 award granted to the top applicant in this year’s selection process. The remaining 18 students were each awarded a Canoochee EMC Foundation Scholarship in the amount of
$4,000. Together, these awards demonstrate the cooperative’s dedication to academic excellence and community growth.
Eight high schools were represented among this year’s recipients:
Tattnall County High School
• Macey Bacon–Mary Shuptrine Tootle Award
• Kensley Rae Bruce
• Isaac Deloach Powell
• Wilton DeLoach
• Peyton Daus
• Brooklyn Autumn Waters
Bradwell Institute
• Marcia Caraballo
Claxton High School
• Kaidence Allred
• Aiden Emanuel
Robert Toombs Christian Academy
• James Varnes
Bryan County High School
• Emma Courtney Strickland
Pinewood Christian Academy
• Hamilton James Whiten
• Luke Deloach
• Cooper Deal
• William Dorsey Wasson
• Genevieve Grace Bradley
Long County High School
• Justiz Williams
• Adam Fuentes
• Arryah Syrae Vaughn
Each student was selected based on academic performance, community involvement, leadership qualities and future aspirations.
Honoring Legacy and Powering a Community
TThe Mary Shuptrine Tootle Scholarship is named in honor of Canoochee EMC’s first employee, whose service helped shape the foundation of the cooperative. Her legacy of dedication, integrity and commitment to excellence is celebrated each year through this award, which recognizes the top scholarship applicant and encourages the pursuit of higher education with a $5,000 gift.
This distinguished scholarship is part of a broader initiative supported by the Canoochee EMC Foundation, which was established by Canoochee EMC members to give back to the communities they call home. The founda-
tion is funded by the Operation Round Up program, in which members voluntarily round up their monthly electric
bills to the next dollar. Since its inception in 2001, this small act of generosity has resulted in more than $2 million invested in the local region.
The Canoochee EMC Foundation scholarships, each valued at $4,000, are a direct example of how this collective generosity makes a tangible difference. These funds help students achieve their educational goals and reflect the cooperative spirit that defines Canoochee EMC—neighbors helping neighbors, investing in the future.
Canoochee EMC Linemen Shine at 2025
Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo
C Canoochee EMC lineworkers showed off their skills, teamwork and dedication at the 2025 Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo held in early May. The annual event brings together electric utility lineworkers from across Georgia and the Southeast to compete in events that test their training, safety and expertise in the field.
Organized by the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo Association, the competition features challenges for
journeymen and apprentices. Events range from pole climbing and equipment repairs to rescue scenarios—giving teams a chance to practice under pressure and be recognized for their hard work.
More than just a contest, the rodeo encourages excellence in safety, reinforces critical skills and strengthens relationships among electric co-ops and utilities across the region.
Canoochee Lineman Ray Conaway
summed it up best in a message to the team, “Shout out to the 2025 Canoochee EMC rodeo team! Y’all knocked it out of the park—bringing grit, heart and Southern fire to every step of the journey. I couldn’t be prouder to ride alongside such a dedicated, hardworking crew. Your talent and teamwork make every challenge worth it. Being part of your ongoing success is not just a job, it’s a privilege. Let’s keep that fire burning. I love my job—and I love this team!”
Mary Shuptrine Tootle
2025 Annual Meeting of Members Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee will meet at Canoochee EMC’s main office to make nominations for three director positions, which will be voted on at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Members on Oct. 14, 2025.
The committee’s report will be posted in the main office in Reidsville following the committee meeting. Nominations by petition will be accept-
ed until the deadline of Aug. 24, 2025. Nominations by petition must be signed by at least 25 active members and submitted in writing to Secretary of the Board of Directors LaNell Oliver or her designee, Chief Executive Officer Michael Wasson, on or before Aug. 24, 2025. The following directors’ terms expire in 2025:
Bernard Purvis, District 1
Connie Thrift, District 3
Kimberly Blocker, District 9
Only one director from each district may serve on the board at a time, and the nominees for a district must reside in that district.
2025 Nominating Committee/Credentials and Elections Committee
• Jesse Rhodes
• Ronnie Holland
• Tina Eason
• Noah Covington
• Mike Dollar
• Don Martin
• Carroll Anderson
• Shane Brannen
• Barry Miller
The Transformer
Official Publication of Canoochee EMC
P.O. Box 487
Reidsville, GA 30453
(800) 342-0134
Joseph A. Sikes, Editor
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Connie Thrift District 3 President
Bob Floyd District 4 Vice President
Kim Blocker District 9 Treasurer
LaNell M. Oliver District 6 Secretary
Ed Bradley Jr. District 5
Robert Dasher District 8
Kenneth L. Durrence District 7
Lavanda Lynn District 2
Bernard Purvis District 1
Michael Wasson, Chief Executive Officer
Andy Whiten, Chief Operations Officer
Mat Olson, Chief Financial Officer
Patrick Burkhalter, Chief Administration Officer
Kyle E. Durrence, Member Services Manager
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR POWER IS OFF . . .
1. Check your fuses or breakers.
2. Check with your neighbors.
3. Call (800) 342-0134 or (912) 557-4391.
There is a dispatcher on call 24 hours a day for your convenience.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Branch offices
Highway 196 West Hinesville, GA 31313
Highway 280 East Pembroke, GA 31321
Keep the Power On and Fires Out
J J
uly is a month for camping trips and celebrating the nation’s independence. What do the two have in common? Fire. Unsafe campfire practice and illegal fireworks can lead to brushfires, and those brushfires can cause power outages.
Along with endless other safety concerns, heat from brushfires can damage electrical lines and equipment, causing major power problems. Even smoke and ash can cause a high-voltage transmission line to trip, leaving sections of the power grid without power.
Summer dryness increases the chance of wildfires, but so do unsafe practices. During your Fourth of July celebrations, use only legal fireworks and sparklers, and use them on concrete or pavement rather than dry grass. And, never let children handle fireworks.
When making a campfire, keep a bucket of water nearby to control the spreading fire. Make a fire pit surrounded by rocks—not wood—and clear away leaves and other flammable materials that quickly spread flames. Never leave a campsite with a burning fire. Quench the fire with water to ensure the damp ashes cannot relight.
Keep the power going and your community safe by practicing fire safety this month.
the Month
During summer months, run large appliances that emit heat, such as clothes dryers and dishwashers, during the evening when the outdoor temperature is lower. Running heat-emitting appliances in the evening will reduce indoor heat gain during the day when outdoor temperatures are highest and ultimately keep your air conditioner from working harder than necessary.
Congratulations to Faye Wheeler of Lyons for being selected as the July 2025 Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month. Energy Efficiency Tip of
Source: www.energy.gov
