Congratulations to VEC’s Lillard-Shadow Scholarship Winners
Volunteer Energy Cooperative recognized four exceptional graduating seniors for their commitment to community service and their academic achievements by awarding them with VEC’s 2013 Lillard-Shadow Scholarships.
Each of the four students was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to attend the college of his or her choice.
The Lillard-Shadow Scholarship program was endowed to honor the lives and community service of J.W. Lillard and Willis A. Shadow. Lillard and Shadow were dedicated to improving the lives and livelihoods of community residents through electric power. And the two were instrumental in the organization of the Meigs County Electric Membership Corporation in 1933 – the organization that eventually evolved into Volunteer Energy Cooperative.
To honor this history, an independent panel of education professionals judged applications for Lillard-Shadow Scholarships based largely on students’ demonstrated commitment to community service.
Keli R. Stephens, a 2014 graduate of Clarkrange High School; Zachariah Andrew Cole, a 2014 graduate of Cumberland County High School; Caleb Stephen Zimmerman, a 2014 graduate of Rhea County High School; and Jennings Caroline Kelley, a 2014 graduate of Walker Valley High School were winners of this year’s VEC Lillard-Shadow Scholarships.
VEC awards four Lillard-Shadow Scholarships annually. One is awarded in each of VEC’s four service districts. Stephens was the Jamestown Service District winner, Cole was selected from VEC’s Crossville Service District, Zimmerman was the winner in VEC’s Decatur Service District, and Kelley was the winner in VEC’s Cleveland Service District.
Stephens, the daughter of Jamie and Teckla Stephens, has engaged in community services
projects that span the globe. Keli helped raise funds to eradicate polio in India and to build a piggery in Uganda. Closer to home, she organized a blood drive at Clarkrange High school, a food drive for a local food bank, and helped raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.
Keli plans to attend Tennessee Technological University in the fall where she intends to pursue a degree in chemistry/pre-med.
Cole, the son of Michelle Cole, also has an extensive record of community service which includes volunteer work at the Second Harvest Food Bank, helping to develop a trail section of the Cumberland Trail, serving as an altar server at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, and as a member of the Children of Crossville Chamber Orchestra. He is also an Eagle Scout. As his Eagle Scout project he landscaped the front entrance at a local elementary school.
Zach is planning to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in the fall where he intends to pursue a degree in business administration.
Caleb Stephen Zimmerman, the son of Stephen and Margaret Zimmerman, stays very active in the community. He volunteers to cook one day a week at Cedine Bible Camp, participates in hymn singing and one-on-one visits at Spring City Rehabilitation Center, and has been a leader with the Rhea County High School’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years. At Christian Fellowship Church he serves as a sound technician, an usher, captain of the high school Bible quiz team, and has volunteered to help with numerous construction projects to benefit church members. He also serves as a teacher’s assistant by helping to grade papers and tutoring other students.
Caleb plans to attend Bryan College in the fall where he intends to pursue a degree in mathematics.
Jennings Caroline Kelley, is a dedicated community servant. She volunteers at New Hope Pregnancy Care Center where she helps raise money for baby supplies and also helps distribute supplies for clients. Jennings also works with Foundation House Ministries and as a volunteer at Prospect Elementary School’s library. She is also very active in 4-H and has served as a volunteer, event leader, camp counselor, event judge, and with numerous other community service projects.
She plans to attend Maryville College this fall and plans to major in education and French.