PRECO 2021 Scholarship Winners

Posted: June 16, 2021 at 11:14 am

Fulfilling Hopes and Dreams

PRECO’s Operation Round Up Foundation invests $104,000 in scholarships to help local students achieve their career goals.

The future is looking bright for 21 local students receiving college scholarships from their electric cooperative. Operation Round Up, the charitable foundation of Wauchula-based Peace River Electric Cooperative, recently granted a total of $104,000 in scholarships for a group of hard-working college-bound students.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a financial toll on many families in our service area,” states Ellen Hamel, Operation Round Up chairperson. “For some students, this scholarship opportunity may spell the difference between going to college or staying home this year.”

Funding for Operation Round Up comes from the donations of PRECO’s consumers. Each participating consumer’s electric bill is “rounded up” to the next dollar to provide charitable funds in the areas of food, shelter, clothing, health, environmental and education needs. Participation is voluntary.

Since 2006, Operation Round Up has granted more than $1 million in college scholarships to 214 local students.

$8,000, 4-year scholarships

Sophia Coscia – Booker High School
New York University
Entertainment Production and Design

Kyle Evans – Southeast High School
Cornell University
Environmental Engineering

Julia Kuehn – Lakewood Ranch High School
Florida State University
Pediatric Medicine

Kyndra McLeod
University of South Florida
Health Science/Physical Therapy

Emma Paliotta – Lakewood Ranch High School
University of Florida
Veterinary Medicine

$4,000, 2-year scholarships

Kaila Amato – State College of Florida
University of South Florida
Psychology/ Dental Hygiene

Garrett Andrews – Lakewood Ranch High School
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Civil Engineering

James Ansley – Cardinal Mooney High School
University of South Florida
Doctor of Pharmacy

Brett Bennett – Hardee High School
Universal Technical Institute
Automotive Technology

Karleen Cassidy – Palmetto High School
Southeastern University
Elementary Education

Lance Duch
University of Florida
Microbiology and Cell Science

Abby Duke – Hardee High School
South Florida State College
Associate of Arts

Lauren Genewick – Palmetto High School
Florida State University
Biological Sciences

Karson Goodwyn – Hardee High School
Johnson University
Elementary Education

Madison Kahler – Lakewood Ranch High School
Florida State University
Doctor of Dentistry

Connor Keclik – Lakewood Ranch High School
University of Central Florida
Aerospace Engineering

Natalie Novak
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Healthcare Administration

Jean Ozit, Jr.
University of Central Florida
Aerospace Engineering

Kelly Rome
Galen College of Nursing
Associate Degree in Nursing

Hayden Ross – Southeast High School
University of Florida
Biomedical Engineering

Hayden Simon – Southeast High School
Carnegie Mellon University
Materials Science