Vol73-8 August 2023

SMECO awards college scholarships to high school seniors

SMECO has awarded four $2500 scholarships for 2023 to high school seniors who live in the cooperative’s service area. Recipients receive awards based on scholastic achievement, financial need, and school and community involvement. This year’s recipients are Zoe McCall, Lauren McNair, Ivy Phillips, and William Spruill.

Zoe McCall is a graduate of the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College. She plans to attend Xavier University of Louisiana to study biology and psychology. She was a student member of the Prince George’s County Board of Education’s Advisory Council, and served as Chief of Staff. She was a member of the county’s Regional Association of Student Governments, and was lead organizer of the countywide Student Mental Health Forum. She was also Inducted into the National Honor Society.

Lauren McNair graduated from St. Mary’s Ryken High School in
St. Mary’s County. She plans to attend Howard University with the goal of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. During high school, she was on the President’s List, was inducted into the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society, and she was varsity cheer captain. She received Principal’s Awards, as well as awards from Ivy and Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities. She organized a Black Student Union at St. Mary’s Ryken and served as vice president.

Ivy Phillips graduated from La Plata High School in Charles County. She plans to study business analytics at the University of Maryland. She served in the student government association and was inducted into the National Honor Society and the National World Language and English honors societies. Phillips served as teen leader for Charles County’s 4-H camps and as president of the Hot Shots4-H Club and vice president of the Key Club.

William Spruill graduated from Oxon Hill High School in Prince George’s County. He plans to study electrical engineering at George Mason University. He received awards for National Hispanic Recognition, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, National Society of High School Scholars, and the principal’s honor roll. He captained Oxon Hill’s varsity swim team and was also offensive team captain for the varsity lacrosse team. His research project for Oxon Hill’s science and technology program included sun-tracking technology for solar panels.

Read more about our winners at smeco.coop/scholarships2023.