Students from across Mitchell EMC’s 14-county service area received scholarships for college thanks to Operation RoundUP. Applicants were evaluated by the Community Foundation of South Georgia. Scholarships are awarded based on “All-Around Student Performance” including academic performance, community service, volunteerism, and extracurricular activities. Financial need is also considered. The foundation also reviewed recommendations from teachers and other adults involved in the students’ lives.
Mitchell EMC members who enroll in Operation RoundUP provide scholarships to deserving students. Participating members allow us to round their electric bills up to the nearest whole dollar amount. Though it may not seem like much, those funds added together make a huge positive difference in our local community. A maximum of ten (10) renewable scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Scholarships will be $2,500 per semester, twice a year, for up to four years to assist in attaining an undergraduate degree from a post-secondary institution in the United States. Graduating children of Mitchell EMC employees receive a scholarship of $500.
The Walter Harrison Scholarship, created in 1985 by the board of directors of the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, is awarded to students who excel in the areas of GPA, SAT scores, academic ability, scholastic honors, and demonstrate a financial need. The award pays tribute to the late Walter Harrison, a pioneer in the rural electrification movement and a leader at the local, state, and national level in the electric cooperative program.
To be eligible for consideration, students must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program, complete the two-page Walter Harrison application, and write a two-page autobiographical sketch with references to future plans and goals. Students that live in a primary residence serviced by Mitchell EMC electricity are eligible.
2026 Operation RoundUP Scholarship Recipients include: Trinity Do, Thomasville High School;
Mia Burnett, Westwood Schools;
Taylor Turley, Baconton, Community Charter School;
Tyler Hayes, Baconton Community Charter School;
Daisy White, Worth County High School;
Joseph “Hunter” Spence, Westwood Schools;
Ashton “Caleb” Etheredge, Baconton Community Charter School;
Matison Shiver, Baconton Community Charter School;
Charles “Weston” Cowart, Southwest Georgia Academy;
Nebraska West, Westwood Schools
Nathan Fowler Piercey, Lee County High School; Rebekah Milling, County High School; Jada Rodgers, Albany State University; Zach Faircloth, Southern Regional Technical College, each received a $1,000 employee scholarship.
Mitchell EMC also introduced the 2 winners of the 2026 Washington Youth Tour Aiden Jackson Peavy, Baconton Community Charter School and Christian Hernandez, Dougherty Comprehensive High School.
We are proud of these high-achieving students and honored to assist them as they pursue their field of choice in college.