Pioneer Electric Cooperative recently presented Greenville High School graduate Saloni Patel and Lowndes Academy graduate Millie Motes with 2016 Electric Cooperative Foundation, Inc. Scholarship.

“We are pleased to present two Cooperative Foundation scholarships this year to such outstanding individuals,” said Pioneer Electric Communications Specialist Casey Rogers. “These are two incredibly impressive individuals and we are thrilled to support their advancement to higher education.”

The scholarships are valued at $1,000.

In 1997, the Electric Cooperative Foundation was formed by rural electric cooperatives throughout Alabama to give back to communities in the form of scholarships for qualifying high school seniors. Scholarship recipients must be a dependent of an electric cooperative member and the award is based on academic excellence, character and community service.

Patel is the daughter of Digesh and Sumitra Patel of Greenville.

Patel was Greenville High School’s valedictorian and plans to attend UAB to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in biology. She plans to take the pre-med track and attend medical school for her Master’s Degree.

Motes is the daughter of Richard and Jeanie Motes of Tyler, Ala.

Motes is no stranger to Pioneer Electric Cooperative, as she was a 2015 Montgomery Youth Tour delegate. Motes plans to attend Troy University in the fall to study pre-law.

“Both Saloni and Millie have shown dedication and dependability within their communities and an overall level of integrity that should be commended,” said Rogers. “They are well-disciplined, focused and tenacious individuals that are destined for success.”