March 2018 Benton REA 1

Benton REA received 33 scholarship applications for both its Academic and Trade and Technical scholarships.

Applicants were judged based on a number of factors includ-ing GPA, SAT/ACT score as well as the accuracy and clarity of a written essay.

These five graduating seniors received the highest scores for the scholarship for which they applied. They have been award-ed $8,000 to be received over their college career and funding is contingent upon meeting high academic standards throughout their education.

Academic Scholarship Recipients: Claire SchaefDaughter of Todd and Heather Schaef of West RichlandRichland High SchoolCareer Goal: Biochemistry

Jared RobinsonSon of Errol and Lisa Robinson of West RichlandHanford High SchoolCareer Goal: Engineering

Fletcher SmithSon of Blake and Sheri Smith of West RichlandHanford High SchoolCareer Goal: Chemical Engineering

Cassandra BauneDaughter of Michael and Heather Baune of West RichlandHanford High SchoolCareer Goal: Nursing

Trade and Technical Scholarship Recipient:Talita RogersDaughter of Mark and Patricia RogersHome SchooledCareer Goal: Surgical Technician

Benton REA's scholarship program is funded through unclaimed capital credits. Scholarship applicants must be graduating high school seniors whose parents or guardians are Benton REA members and who have a main residence in Benton, Lewis or Yakima Counties.

Benton REA’s Academic and

Trade and Technical Scholar-ship applications for the 2018-2019 academic year will become available in the fall of 2018. Visit BentonREA.org/Scholarships for more information. ■

High Voltage News

Michael Freepons PresidentDistrict 2

Connie KrullVice PresidentDistrict 7

Mark Platt Secretary/TreasurerDistrict 4

Buddy Treadway Trustee, District 1

Bob EvansTrustee, District 3

Tim GrowTrustee, District 5

Scott Fisher Trustee, District 6

Catherine RussellTrustee, District 8

General ManagerMichael J. Bradshawmikeb@bentonrea.org

If your electricity is out for more than a few minutes...Check your breaker box to see if a circuit breaker has tripped. Then, check to see if your neighbors are without power.Report Benton REA outages by calling 800-221-6987 or via the SmartHub app.

Your Benton REABoard of Trustees

Is Your Power Out?

Benton REA

March 2018 P.O. Box 1150, Prosser, Washington 99350 • 509-786-2913 • 800-221-6987 • www.BentonREA.org

2018 Scholarship Recipients

Claire SchaefRichland High School

Fletcher SmithHanford High School

Jared RobinsonHanford High School

Cassandra Baune Hanford High School

Talita RogersHome Schooled

March 2018 Benton REA2

Mark Platt, Benton REA District 4 Trustee, recently renewed his Director Gold Credential (DGC) in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Director Certificate Program.

Platt earned his DGC in January of 2016. To maintain the DGC, trustees must earn three credits from an approved

class within a two-year period.

NRECA's Director Certificate Programs are designed to help electric cooperative trustees understand their roles and responsibilities, stay up-to-date on the key issues and trends in the industry and prepare them to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives. ■

In this issue

This newsletter is a product of the Benton REA Member Services and Economic Development Office

Troy Berglund, Member Services Manager

Elecia Copenhaver, Marketing and Communications

May Hays, Community Relations Coordinator

Ron Mitchell, Electrical Advisor

Eric Miller, Energy Services

BENTON RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

Prosser Office402 7th Street | P.O. Box 1150

Prosser, WA 99350 (509) 786-2913

Toll Free 1-800-221-6987Office Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

West Richland Office6095 W. Van Giesen,

West Richland, WA 99353 (509) 967-2921

Office Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Office Closed for Lunch Noon - 12:30 p.m.

www.BentonREA.orgFollow us on Facebook and Twitter

COOPERATIVE INFO

MEMBER SERVICES

1 2018 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS 2 TRUSTEE PLATT RENEWS CREDENTIALS DAYLIGHT SAVINGS REMINDER MORE POWERFUL TOGETHER 3 2018 KIDS' SAFETY POSTER CONTEST

WINNERS RIGHT TREE IN THE RIGHT PLACE

4 ANNUAL MEETING PHOTO RECAP

Trustee Platt Renews Credentials

Mark Platt, District 4 Trustee

March 2018 Benton REA 3

Benton REA congratulates the follow-ing kids for their winning entries in the 2018 Safety Poster Contest.

Each winner took home a cash prize at Benton REA's 81st Annual Meeting on February 10. First place received $50, sec-ond place, $25, third place, $15, and fourth place, $10.

Honorable mentions include Spencer Cahoon, Easton Harris, Hailey Martin, Elias McNeil, Isabella Pinto, Clara Stick-ney and Lauren Stickney.

Kindergarten and First Grade:1st: Eden Hatfield

1st Grade, White Bluff's ElementaryWest Richland

2nd: Ava Kate Cummings1st Grade, Wiley ElementaryWest Richland

3rd: Bonnie Cummings Kindergarten, White Bluffs Elementary West Richland

4th: Wyatt Simpson1st Grade, Keene Riverview ElementaryProsser

Second and Third Grade: 1st: Madeline Cummings

3rd Grade, Wiley ElementaryWest Richland

2nd: Lillian Lucas3rd Grade, Wiley ElementaryWest Richland

3rd: Ryker Harris3rd Grade, HomelinkWest Richland

4th: Valentia Penick3rd Grade, Home SchoolWest Richland

Fourth and Fifth Grade: 1st: Elyza Badeaux

5th Grade, White Bluffs ElementaryWest Richland

2nd: Lora Cahoon5th Grade, White Bluffs ElementaryWest Richland

3rd: Samantha Delgado4th Grade, Prosser Heights ElementaryProsser

4th: Katelyn Blackburn5th Grade, Tapteal ElementaryWest Richland ■

Kids Safety Poster Contest Winners

Girls review safety poster contest entries on display before the Annual Meeting.

March 2018 Benton REA4

Nearly 400 people including Benton REA members and their families attended Benton REA's 81st Annual Meeting on February 10.

Enjoy these photo highlights of the event and read more about the day's activities and see more photos in your March issue of Ruralite Magazine. ■

52 door prizes and 10 Benton REA electric bill credits were given away during the business meeting.

More Powerful Together at 81st Annual Meeting

Above: Member Services Manager Troy Berglund and Trustee Mark Platt draw raffle tickets to give away a door prize.

Center: Energy Advisor Eric Miller talks with members about energy efficient ductless heating systems and Benton REA's rebates.

Below: Journeyman Lineman Chris Hill teaches youth about the dangers of electricity with the safety demonstration.

A girl takes a guess at how much candy and how much money are in the jars before the meeting.

"More Powerful Together" was the theme of the 81st Annual Member Meeting.

A family takes home activity sheets to learn about Bud, the 811 mascot, who teaches everyone to call 811 before you dig.