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SECO Energy Celebrates 2024 Scholarship Awardees

SECO Energy has announced its 2024 SECO Energy Scholarship Awardees. Each of the twelve scholarship awardees will receive $3,000 to advance their education. SECO Energy’s scholarship program targets local students who will attend a Florida college, university, or trade school. 

 

The applicants were judged on their scholastic record (weighted GPS), school/community activities, and financial need. Consideration was given to applicants whose stated major was a degree in technology, business, engineering, or mathematics, especially as they relate to the energy sector. Relevant majors include, but are not limited to, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical, nuclear, environmental, civil, agricultural/biological, industrial, materials science, and various branches of mathematics. 

 

SECO Energy Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors graduating in May or June of the current year who live in a home served by SECO Energy. The awardee must enroll as a full-time student in an accredited Florida college, university, or trade school before the end of 2024.

 

 

2024 SECO Energy Scholarship Winners

Name High School Resides In
Garrett Harrison The Villages Charter High School Fruitland Park
Presley S. Stanton Florida Virtual School Clermont
Armand Grable Wildwood Middle-High School Wildwood
Charles Anthony Tavares High School Astatula
Fabian DeJesus-Colon West Port High School Ocala
Delbie Zayas Rosado Wildwood Middle-High School Groveland
Ramiya Blackwell Wildwood Middle-High School Ocala
Jubilette Huff Wildwood Middle-High School Wildwood
Eden Thomas West Port High School Ocala
Faith Long South Sumter High School Webster
Michael A. Viel, Jr. Eustis High School Eustis
Jacob R. Davis Leesburg High School Lady Lake

 

2024 SECO Energy Scholarship Awardees Congratulated

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn congratulated the 2024 SECO Energy Scholarship recipients. Wynn stated, “I want to congratulate our 2024 Scholarship awardees, it is uplifting to see students investing in themselves by pursuing an advanced education. Their efforts in the next few years could launch a fruitful career that opens the door to personal achievements that impact entire communities and beyond. The energy industry is growing, and the technology we rely on is advancing quickly. We will need an ongoing supply of ambitious talent in many capacities to carry SECO Energy forward. By awarding these scholarships, SECO is investing in students who have demonstrated their readiness to work hard and build a bright future for themselves.” 

 

Wynn continued, “We hope these twelve awardees continue to set high goals and work to achieve them. When they look to begin their professional career, we hope they will consider joining SECO Energy. We are growing rapidly and will be a leading employer in our region for years to come. Our compensation and benefits package, which includes comprehensive medical and dental insurance, generous paid time off, 401k with company matching contributions, a retirement pension plan, an employee-referral program, and student loan reimbursement are competitive in any market. So, when it’s time to get to work, make SECO Energy your first call.” 

 

SECO Energy is hiring! To view open positions, set up job alerts, and apply online, visit: SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Careers. 

 

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on X/Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage your outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.

SECO Supports Youth Energy Academy STEM Focus

On June 14 and 15, local energy experts teamed up to provide high school students a real-life glimpse into the many careers in the electric utility industry. SECO Energy, Duke Energy and Ocala Electric Utilities partnered to bring the Fourth Annual Youth Energy Academy to life for more than fifty students in Marion County. The event was held at the College of Central Florida’s Hampton Center.

 

In conjunction with employees from the three electric utility providers, representatives from several other companies (College of Central Florida, Boys & Girls Club, CLM CareerSource, Lockheed Martin and DeConna Ice Cream) volunteered, presented or provided support. With a limited workforce, the business community understands the premise of investing in today’s youth to develop future leaders and foster diversity.

 

Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director of Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs stated, “SECO Energy, Duke Energy and Ocala Electric Utilities have formed a strong partnership in the quest to develop a talent pipeline of local students for the energy industry. At this year’s Academy, students had the opportunity to gain essential knowledge related to the array of jobs, careers and occupational requirements in the energy field.”

 

The two-day event was jam-packed with activities that ranged from learning how electricity travels from the generation plant to homes and what it takes to restore power during an outage to a hands-on live demonstration provided by Duke Energy’s Ronnie Bailey and Moise Graham. Students learned the difference between soft and hard skills via a presentation from Heaven Colon, CLM CareerSource. The students then explored high-skill, high-wage careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by taking a closer look at robotics. They met Forest High School EMIT program students – EMIT stands for Engineering and Manufacturing Institute of Technology.

 

Youth participants also learned about one of the fastest growing jobs in the industry – the Substation/Relay Tech position – from SECO Energy Manager Transmission and Substation Design Kenny Rodrigue and Environmental & Project Supervisor Ron Summers. Participants built solar cars to test in the sun, and found out that solar panels receive enough energy to power the cars to move when the sun is not shining.

 

The activities didn’t end there. On day two, the students toured the City of Ocala water treatment plant with Rachel Slocumb, Division Coordinator. Utilities Director Mike Poucher showed students what can occur while texting and driving through a demonstration of a pole versus car accident scene that included how to safely exit a vehicle. Participants also rode in bucket trucks and learned about Ocala’s fiber-optic internet system. Watch video clips of this year’s Youth Academy highlights at SECO Energy’s YouTube channel.

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEjIr13Vjac[/embedyt]

 

SECO Energy CEO Jim Duncan stated, “The Youth Academy aligns with two key cooperative principles – Education, Training and Information and also Concern for Community. The energy field offers a multitude of diverse careers just waiting for talented candidates to apply. Participating in youth education programs gives SECO a hand in crafting its future workforce and offers local, talented youngsters employment opportunities close to home and family.”

 

Six years ago, the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) incorporated a Youth Energy Academy model focused on, but not limited to, minority students in St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Orlando and Ocala. “AABE’s goal is to spark the interest of the emerging workforce by educating young people about opportunities in the energy arena. With over 240 Marion County students going though this academy so far, we believe we will see a few of them working in the energy industry,” stated AABE Florida Chapter President Mikle Gordon. The AABE Florida Chapter is lead by members from six energy providers, as well as a number of entrepreneurs and business partners.

 

Learn more about SECO Energy and its Concern for Community online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.