Southern Rivers Energy (SRE) and Southern Rivers Energy Trust Inc. awarded $15,000 in scholarships to five local students. The trust received 26 qualified applications from across the nine-county service territory. The applications were judged blindly by former teachers.

Applicants were evaluated on the core values that Touchstone Energy Cooperatives like Southern Rivers Energy, incorporate in their business model: innovation, integrity, accountability and commitment to community. The scholarship committee reviewed grade-point average, community and school involvement, and letters of recommendation.

This year’s $3,000 scholarship recipients are Jhaycee Barnes of Griffin from Spalding High School, Peyton Bussell of Milner from University of North Georgia, Jackson Moore of Macon from First Presbyterian Day School, Jacob Moore of Forsyth from Covenant Academy and Aiden Potter of Concord from Pike County High School.

The SRE Trust Scholarship program is funded by SRE’s Operation Round Up program. In addition to scholarships, the SRE Trust funds the Bright Ideas teacher grant program and charitable grants for deserving community or civic groups and individuals. This is in addition to any grants that schools may receive from the parent Operation Round Up program. Since 2007, the SRE Trust has awarded $230,000 in scholarships to local students.

The 2023 application process opens Oct. 1. Visit www.southernriversenergy.com/scholarships for more information.