A foundation was formed in 2017 from unclaimed capital credits and Operation Round Up funds from Graham County Electric Co-op (GCEC) and Graham County Utilities (GCU) members. The GCEC Foundation provides a $1,000 scholarship to each of the local high schools; Ft. Thomas, Mt. Graham, Pima, Safford, Thatcher, and Willcox. (some schools elect to split the funds) If you are a senior high school student living within GCEC’s service territories, purchasing GCEC electricity and/or water, you are eligible to apply. If you have a financial need, have applied yourself in the classroom, and have a strong desire to continue your education, please follow instructions below for your high school or contact your high school counselor for more information.
Ft. Thomas High School-Contact Angel Vega at avega@ftusd.org or 928.322.7476 for information and deadlines.
Mt. Graham High School-Contact High School Counselor John Nicholas at 928.348.7063 or jnicholas@saffordusd.com for application, information and deadlines.
Pima High School-Submit application to Katie Williams via email at kwilliams@pimaschools.com or hand in to her at school, before the March 24, 2022 deadline. Please contact Katie Williams at 928.387.8174 or kwilliams@pimaschools.com for any questions.
Safford High School-The school notifies the seniors of information. Fill out application and turn in hard copy to Melanie Allen. Call 928.348.6994 or email mallen@saffordusd.com for more information. Deadline for 2022 in-house scholarship is April 1, 2022.
Thatcher High School-Information for scholarship is in your school email. Further information and application can be found on this link. Scroll down to "all you need to know" section, click on scholarship information, click on Graham County Electric Cooperative Scholarship-Due April 1st". Deadline for 2022 scholarship is April 1, 2022. For more information contact Shiloh Wheeler at 928.348.7270 ext 5275 or wheeler.shiloh@thatcherud.org
Willcox High School-Contact Sheryl Patterson at 520.384.8601 ext 8662 or Victoria Singer at 520.384.8658 or victoria.singer@wusd13.org for more information.
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2022 Scholarship Recipients Announced:
Taylor Broadhead-Safford High School
Taylor is the daughter of Dayna Tolman and Lyle Broadhead. She was ranked 2 out of 149 in her graduating class. Special awards include Varsity Cheer Rookie of the Year in 2018, Best Backspot in 2022, and received honors all 8 semesters. She enjoys reading, bullet journaling, working out, doing cheer, and spending time with friends and family. Taylor will attend the college of Engineering at the University of Arizona in the fall. She plans on obtaining a bachelor's degree in either mechanical or chemical engineering and put it to use in the medical field.
Marlo Day-Pima High School
Marlo is the daughter of Channen and Sarah Day. She attended high school at Arizona Virtual Academy, Thatcher High and graduated from Pima High School. She was ranked 11 of 74 in her graduating class. Marlo was involved in National Honor Society, FBLA and swam for Swim Neptune and Morenci Manta Rays USA swim clubs. Throughout her high school years, Marlo enjoyed various volunteer opportunities from the Pima Library to gardening at the Gila Valley Temple, as well as working two part-time jobs. Marlo will attend Brigham Young University this fall and study business management. After completion of undergraduate studies, Marlo will prepare for the DAT, go to dental school to become a dentist and run her own dental practice.
Kaylei Preston-Ft. Thomas High School
Kaylei is the daughter of Waylon and Adrienne Preston. She Fort Thomas High School and had a GPA of 3.9. and ranked 2 out of 24 in her graduating class in addition to being salutatorian. She was apart of National Honor Society and was also the student body Vice President for the school years, 2020 and 2021. The year after (2021-2022) Kaylei became Student Body President. She also held the title of Miss Indian Fort Thomas 2021-2022, which allowed her to get involved more within school and her community. Throughout high school, Kaylei participated in volleyball and basketball, and had been apart of the Native American Culture Club. In Fall of 2022, she plans to further her education at Arizona State University to receive a bachelors degree in Psychology.
Laigha Rope-Ft. Thomas High School
Laigha is the daughter of AJ Rope and Dimitri Kitcheyan. Attending Ft Thomas schools, her GPA has been 3.75 and is ranked 5th in her class.During her school tenure, she learned how to manager time and prioritize juggling high school and college classes all while still trying to be a teenager. Her high school accomplishments included being a member of the National Honor Society, member of student council, Student Vice-President and participation in the G.I.F.T program (Gila Institute for Technology). Laigha participated in volleyball and basketball where the team won the basketball State Championship. Laigha has been accepted to Fort Lewis College in Durango Colorado. Prior to heading to Fort Lewis, she plans on working under the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation Summer Job Program.
Maycee Michaels-Willcox High School
Maycee is the daughter of Mark and Shelley Michaels. She attended Willcox High School and held a 3.64 GPA. While in high school she was very involved in basketball, National Honor Society, FFA offices and AZ High School Rodeo. She received many leadership awards including FFA Star Greenhand Finalist, Cochise County Fair Supreme Round Robin Champion, Cochise County Fair Outstanding Senior, and other individual awards on FFA evaluation teams in poultry and soils judging. Maycee is involved in community service with organizations of 4-H, FFA Rex Allen Days and Cowboy Hall of Fame Dinner. She plans on attending Cochise College in Douglas in the fall, majoring in Animal Science and continue to be on the rodeo team. After completing her undergraduate studies, Maycee plans to transfer to New Mexico State University to complete the Animal Science degree while getting a minor in Ranch Management and Ag Business.
Mariah Estrada-Mt. Graham High School
Mariah is the middle child out of three, she is the daughter of Heidi and Ed Estrada After struggling in school for a few years, Mariah began at Mt. Graham High School her sophomore year. This is when her grades improved drastically and she made friends. She was part of the after school program T.O.P. (Teen Outreach Program). The program teaches self-worth, to make healthy decisions and avoid risky behaviors. Over the past 6 years, Mariah has enjoyed playing in the National AYSO soccer program in Safford. Mariah completed graduation requirements early in August 2021. Her plans are to enroll at Eastern AZ College in Paramedicine classes and would like to become a paramedic. Perhaps one day she might be a surgeon!
Bryant Stailey-Thatcher High School
Bryant is the son of Jonathon and Jodi Stailey. He graduated from Thatcher High School with a 3.6 GPA and was ranked 33 in his graduating class of 125. Bryant is involved in many things, but he loved being the We Fly Club President. He played soccer all four years while in high school.. He hopes to gain an education at Eastern Arizona College and enter in the field of a journeyman lineman by applying for a lineman apprenticeship program.
Makenzie Pooler-Mt. Graham High School
Makenzie is the daughter of Jeanette Wells. With a GPA of 3.3, she graduated from MT. Graham High School in May. Makenzie was a part of Stagecraft. This is a class which helps with theater backstage operations, sound mixing, lighting and technical operations of theater production in Safford Schools. While attending Safford High School, prior to transferring to Mt. Graham, she participated in art club. Makenzie is interested in theater technology, cross-stitching and needle tatting. She plans on attending Eastern Arizona College in the fall and focus on becoming a pharmacist.
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2021 Scholarship Recipients Announced:
Hannah Smith-Safford High School
Maci Lopeman-Thatcher High School
Dallys Casillas-Thatcher High School
Brookie Bryce-Pima High School
McKia Preston-Ft. Thomas High School
Matthew Mayer-Mt. Graham High School
Read more about scholarships in a related Currents article below:
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2020 Scholarship Recipients Announced: (Currents article-September 2020)
The high school classes of 2020 were not able to have their normal awards assemblies. Some school provided a virtual list of recipients, while others provided a video production from presenters. GCEC Foundation provided the following with scholarships:
Harley Lofgreen - Pima High School
Jaden Preston - Ft. Thomas High School
Jordan Juan - Ft. Thomas High School
Angelina Villalba - Mt. Graham High School
Skylar Waters - Mt. Graham High School
Cami Lines - Safford High School
Kristiana Alva - Thatcher High School
Kelsi Hunt - Thatcher High School
Currents Article announcing winners-July 2020
Prior Scholarship Winners Currents Articles