Empowering Students to Pursue Educational Goals

West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) launched a new educational opportunity this year with an update to its scholarship program, offering $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from throughout the cooperative's service territory. By providing this financial assistance, WFEC aims to alleviate the burden of educational expenses and create educational opportunities for students in Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties to pursue their academic dreams.

The scholarships offered by the cooperative are a catalyst for students' academic aspirations, enabling recipients to cover various educational expenses such as textbooks, supplies, or even offsetting a portion of their tuition fees. By lightening their financial burden, the co-op hopes to empower students to focus on their studies.

The co-op's scholarship program is not just about providing financial assistance; it is an investment in future leaders. By supporting these students' potential, WFEC is contributing to a highly skilled and educated workforce.

One of West Florida Electric Cooperative's founding principles as a cooperative is providing educational opportunities to our members and future members. This year WFEC was proud to present ten $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from nine local high schools. One scholarship was also awarded to a graduating home-schooled senior. The 2023 West Florida Electric Scholarship winners were:

• Braeden Smith, Altha School

•Jared Paul, Bethlehem School

• Dylan Thrasher, Blountstown High School

•Hayleigh Rattin, Chipley High School

•Haven White, Cottondale High School

•Chad Albury, Holmes County High School

• Alexis Baxley, Malone School

• Noah Mercer, Marianna High School

•Andrew Greenwood, Poplar Springs School

• Gracyn Johnson, Home-school

To qualify, a student's parent or guardian must be a member of West Florida Electric Cooperative. Applicants must also be graduating from a high school located within the cooperative's four-county service area. Applicants must complete an application and submit an essay on an assigned topic.

Scholarship applications for next year will be available in January 2024, so look for announcements in this publication, on the co-op's social media, and website.

Fig-Strawberry Preserves

Ingredients:

3 cups mashed figs

3 cups sugar

2 small boxes of strawberry Jello

Submitted by: Judith Alexander

Directions:

Cook figs and sugar together for 20-25 minues. Add in the Jello and cook until the Jello is dissolved (about 5-10 minutes). Pour the mixture into jars and seal.

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4 Key Factors

That Impact Energy Bills

You pay for the electricity you consume each month, but there are additional factors that impact your energy bills.

1. Fuel Costs

Before electricity can be delivered to your home, it must first be generated at a power plant or from a renewable source. The cost of fuels used to generate electricity fluctuates, which is why you see a power or fuel charge on your monthly bill. This monthly charge covers cost fluctuations without having to continually restructure electricity rates.

2. Service Costs

Your bill includes a monthly service charge, which recovers part of the co-op’s ongoing investments in poles, wire, meters, system maintenance and additional costs necessary to provide electric service.

3. Weather

When temperatures soar or dip, your cooling or heating equipment must run longer and at maximum capacity, which can greatly increase your energy use. Extreme temperatures can also a ect electricity market prices. When the need for electricity increases due to extreme heat or cold, the price of power typically rises.

4. Energy Consumption

This is the amount of electricity you use each month to power your home’s cooling/heating system, appliances, lighting, electronics and more. The amount of electricity you consume is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. You have control over how much energy you use, which can ultimately help manage your monthly costs.

SURVEYOR Florida

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