Four local high school seniors claimed $3,500-worth of scholarships funded by Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative in the annual competition for the children of co-op members.

This year marked a $500 increase in the worth of the total scholarships, which may be used for post-secondary education at colleges, universities, and vocational-technical schools.

First-place winners of 2007 BREC scholarships advance to judging in Columbus for the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives (OREC) scholarship program and the possibility to win even more money for their educations. Second-place winners become alternates in the statewide contest.

Symmes Valley High School produced first-place winners in the girls’ and boys’ competitions.

The first-place, $1,000-winner in the girls’ category was SVHS’s Ashley Mannon, daughter of Don and Brenda Mannon of Kitts Hill.

Kirt Shipley of SVHS won first place and a $1,000 scholarship in the boys’ division. He is the son of Ken and Brenda Shipley of Pedro.

Second place and a $750 BREC scholarship went to Angela Ridgeway of Jackson High School, daughter of Terry and Debbie Ridgeway of Jackson.

Cory Miller of Gallia Academy High School won the second-place, $750-scholarship award in the boys’ division. He is the son of Rosalie Durbin of Gallipolis.

A panel of local judges determined the winners and alternates in the BREC scholarship contest. The judges unanimously agreed that this was one of the best groups of young scholars and leaders they had reviewed.

Any boy or girl graduating in the Class of 2007 whose home receives electric service from BREC was eligible. Applicants must have scored a career grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale.

Ads were published in Country Living magazine, announcing the scholarship contest. In January, area high school counselors received literature and entry forms, advising students of the opportunity.

Contestants were judged in the areas of scholastic record, personal achievement, and school/community activities.