Palmetto Electric Cooperative registered 3,989 members at this year’s annual meeting, held May 4 at Palmetto’s Ridgeland office.
The business meeting focused on 2018 accomplishments, which included a 2% growth rate in the connection of new meters, and success in Operation Round Up, resulting in $513,318 in grants for teachers, scholarships and nonprofit organizations.
Two scholarships were presented from Palmetto Electric’s Women Involved in Rural Electrification (WIRE) organization. Keandra Warren from Ridgeland-Hardeeville High School and Hanna Giblin from Bluffton High each received $1,000 for their college education.
Three students received scholarship awards from the Palmetto Electric Trust (PET). Arrione Alston from Estill High, Holly Huynh from Bluffton High and Cheyenne Roach from Legacy Christian Academy received awards.
Five high school juniors from the Lowcountry were recognized for being selected to represent Palmetto Electric in the Washington Youth Tour, a week-long educational trip to Washington, D.C. The representatives are Nicholas Magnin from Hilton Head Island High, Christian Britschge from Hilton Head Preparatory, and Chynna Sneed from May River High. From the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina competition, Laura Keller from Hilton Head Island High and Alexis Tuten from Step of Faith Christian Academy were selected.
Also, three area rising seniors were chosen for the Cooperative Youth Summit, a four-day educational trip to Columbia in July. They are Mark Martel from John Paul II Catholic School, Leah Tuten from Wade Hampton High and Lizzy Stinson from May River High.
This year’s grand prize winner was Shannon Padgett of Hampton, SC. She won the 2007 Ford Ranger.
