April 30, 2025
Kristin Gray
Community Relations Manager
520.508.4059
kgray@ssvec.com
Forty area high school seniors were celebrated Wednesday evening, April 30, at the annual Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) Foundation scholarship dinner, where awards of $4,000 were presented to further educational pursuits in trade and academic studies.
The annual dinner invited graduating seniors and their families to dinner at the Multipurpose facility on the Benson High School campus.
“This event is a highlight every year for the SSVEC Foundation,” said Randy Redmond, President of the foundation board of directors. “Utilizing funds generated from unclaimed capital credits to further the skills and studies of local students is an important mission for the Foundation.”
Ten area high schools were represented by students who attended the dinner and ceremony Wednesday evening. Qualifying students ranked academically in the top 20 percent of their class.
Recipients were selected based on participation in school extracurricular activities, community involvement, volunteer work, leadership, character, and promise.
“Celebrating and supporting these students in furthering their academic and trade education is a significant contribution to the betterment of our community,” said Jason Bowling, Chief Executive Officer at SSVEC. “The Foundation continues to focus on making a positive difference in the lives of our members and their families.”
Students earning scholarships, and the school they represent, include: Shannon Frost, Avery Hartman, Roy Jones and Aubrey Moon of Benson High School; Daniel Castro and Nicholas Young of Patagonia High School; Steven DeLaCruz and Angela Vasquez of Valley Union High School; Ana Castillo and Charles Vesci of Veritas Christian High School; Kyla Gross, Joel Kotchikian and McKenzie Mazzanti of Tombstone High School; Kaylee Fierro, Ignacio Guillen and Hollie Keil of San Simon High School; Benjamin Glover, home school; Alayna Didion, Regan Haynie, Emma Spencer and Gannon Carrafa of St. David High School; Madison Carney, Ariella Antemann, Ongree Thrasher, Margaret Flissar, Leonidas Johnson, Lena Armstrong, Janessa Oudenhoven, Kade Spilsbury, Benjamin Warwick, Christina Gross and Jade Hinchcliff of Buena High School; and Caden Hooper, Madison Bennett, Luke Perolino, Elijah Bhasme, Wade Owen, Makayla Donahue, Morgan Allred and Alan Solis of Willcox High School.