Each year, Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative (HOEC) offers four $750 scholarships to area
high schools. These high schools are rotated every year throughout the service area. The
applications are sent to a third-party judge to be reviewed and graded to ensure that any bias is
eliminated and the most qualified candidates are the recipients. This year, scholarships were
awarded to one graduating senior at Couch, Dora, West Plains, and Winona.
2024 graduates receiving the scholarship are T.J. Smith – Couch; Natasha Slavik – Dora; I.C.
Bivens – West Plains and Captolia Jo Boyer – Winona. Each student was presented with a
certificate and letter explaining the scholarship is payable to the school and should be claimed
by December 31, 2024, by contacting Member Services at HOEC.
Smith plans to attend Iron Eagle Welding Academy in Stockton, Mo., to become a Master
Welder. He has been involved in FFA, FCCLA, and Youth For Christ and helped organize a back-to
school fair.
Slavik is attending Missouri State University in West Plains and is looking towards a career
as a radiologist. She has been active in sports at Dora High School as well as FCCLA, FCA, Beta
Club and Student Council.
Bivens is attending Missouri State University in West Plains to pursue a degree in
Criminology. “I have always enjoyed things that involved science or the practical use of
science,” he explained. “My goal is to help solve some crimes, assist in convicting criminals, and
help keep communities safe.”
Boyer is currently attending Phlebotomy Technician School and plans to work in an
outpatient lab while attending college for a nursing degree. “A dream of mine would be to get a
Nurse Practitioner license,” she added.
Congratulations to the students on receiving the scholarship. “This program aligns with our
Cooperative Principles,” explained General Manager Dan Singletary. “Education, training and
information and concern for community are two of the principles that fit these scholarships we
extend to students,” he added.
Scholarships will be awarded in 2025 to one senior each at Koshkonong, Mountain View
Birch Tree (Liberty), Thayer, Faith Christian Academy, and Ozarks Christian Academy.
Applications will be available in early 2025 through the school counselors.
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative (HOEC), headquartered in West Plains, Missouri,
delivers cost-efficient, reliable electricity to approximately 25,000 meters in south-central
Missouri across six counties: Douglas, Ozark, Texas, Shannon, Howell, and Oregon. That equates
to 4,912 miles of line. More information about HOEC can be found at www.hoecoop.org.