2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Education is the building block of a strong community. That’s why Butler Rural Electric offers scholarships for high school students whose parents are cooperative members. We hope these scholarships prepare the recipients for leadership roles in our community.

CHELSEY HAIR is the daughter of Doug and Kara Hair. She is graduating from Ross High School and will attend Hanover College to major in biology. Chelsey’s favorite extracurricular activity in high school is being a member of the Ross Girls Varsity Soccer Team. She looks forward to continuing to play soccer in college on the Hanover Women’s Soccer Team. After college, Chelsey plans to become a physician assistant or attend medical school and would like to work in the field of oncology. She plans to stay in Ohio and would like to live somewhere within Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s service territory after college.

As the recipient of the Michael L. Sims Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Chelsey will receive $2,500 each year of her college career for up to four years. She will compete for up to $4,100 in additional scholarships from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. Michael L. Sims was Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s general manager who retired in 2020 after working at the cooperative for 44 years.

ANNA ABBITT is the daughter of Jason and Robbyn Abbitt. She is graduating from Talawanda High School and plans to attend college to major in international affairs and environmental or agricultural policy. Anna would like to become an ambassador or diplomat or work in the United Nations in sustainable agriculture after college. She is a member of the Butler County Junior Fair Board, Ross Ranchers 4-H Club, Oxford Swimming and Diving Team, and Talawanda Swimming and Diving.

Anna’s favorite extracurricular activity in high school is FFA. She enjoyed traveling around the country with her FFA chapter during high school and is looking forward to exploring the world through study abroad in college.

Anna is the recipient of the cooperative’s $2,500 Thomas Humbach Scholarship. Thomas Humbach was Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s attorney from 1983 until his retirement in 2021.

JOSHUA BOTTS is the son of Frank and Michele Botts. He is graduating from Ross High School and will attend Ohio University to major in finance. Joshua plays football and baseball, runs track, and works at Raising Cane’s. Joshua’s favorite thing about high school was celebrating in the locker room with the football team after winning games. He is looking forward to meeting new people and creating new memories at Ohio University.

Joshua is the recipient of the $2,500 R. Fred Woodruff Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. R. Fred Woodruff was the cooperative’s first attorney. He was hired by the board of trustees shortly after graduating from the University of Cincinnati’s law school in 1938 and retired in 1983.

RYLAND BECKNER is the son of Jason and Stephanie Beckner. He is graduating from Talawanda High School and will attend the University of Northwestern Ohio. Through their College of Applied Technologies, Ryland will take courses to earn his associate’s degree in diesel technology and he plans to take courses to receive his agricultural equipment technician certification. He is a member of the Kickin’ Country Kids 4-H Club, the Butler County Junior Fair Board, and the Talawanda/Butler Tech FFA Chapter. He works at Zimmer Tractor.

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