Lacing up your sneakers with two of the nation’s top college basketball programs is a dream for many young athletes. Thanks to North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, 50 rising sixth and seventh graders from across the state had their dream became a reality last month.
Through the Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarship program, participating electric co-ops send one young woman to the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp and one young man to the Carolina Basketball School each year.
The scholarships cover all expenses at the overnight camps, which provide a glimpse into life on a college campus. Campers stay overnight in dorms, learn fundamental skills and receive individual and group instruction from Division I coaches and players to enhance their basketball and team-building abilities.
Each of the scholarship winners are selected by their local electric cooperative for their exceptional work both in the classroom and in their communities.
Bradley’s daughter with NC State Basketball Coach, Wes Moore (Photo courtesy of NC State).
Kellie Bradley, teacher at Sunny View Elementary in Polk County, says her family has been fortunate enough to have not just one, but two of her children selected for a sports camp scholarship by Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation. Her son attended the Carolina Basketball School in 2016 and her daughter received a scholarship to the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp each of the last two years.
“These camps are a wonderful opportunity for these young, impressionable kids to learn from some amazing athletes and coaches that share the importance of not only being great players, but also great students and leaders in their schools,” said Bradley. “I’m thankful that the cooperatives give each of these scholarship winners a chance to experience these camps, because it’s a memory that they will carry with them forever.”
For more than two decades, Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships have provided a one-of-a-kind educational and athletic opportunity to our state’s youth.
“Rutherford EMC is proud to support local students in our area, giving them opportunities like these basketball camps show the importance of academics alongside athletics,” said Chad Bailey, member services representative at Rutherford EMC. “North Carolina’s electric cooperatives believe that a brighter future includes this next generation, and we will continue to invest in education through camps and programs that show students the endless possibilities that await them.”
Scholarship applications open at the beginning of January each year, with a March 31 deadline to apply. To be eligible, students must be rising sixth or seventh graders at a qualifying school in North Carolina. Applications are reviewed by each local electric cooperative and assessed by a variety of criteria – including academics, extracurricular activities and an essay.
This annual scholarship program is part of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives’ commitment to building a brighter future through investing in education and youth programs. To learn more about sports camp scholarships and other youth opportunities, visit https://www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/youth-opportunities/