Butte Electric Scholarship Program

Basin Electric Power Cooperative takes great pride in its ability to assist in developing rural leadership in the region through its scholarship program. The Basin Electric Cooperative scholarship program is designed to recognize and encourage the achievements of the children of member-cooperative employees and consumers. Butte Electric, as a member of Basin Electric, is eligible to receive one $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to one of it's members or member's dependents each year.

Applicants for the scholarships must be U. S. citizens and a member of Butte Electric Cooperative, or a member's dependent. Applicants also must be students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in a full-time undergraduate or graduate course of study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school. Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on SAT/ACT scores, overall grade-point average, work experience, participation in school and community activities, a personal statement of career goals, and a written recommendation by a third party. Starting in 2008, the scholar must include an essay. The application deadline is in February and winners will be announced by April 1.

For more information or for a scholarship application form and essay theme, contact the Guidance Counselor at your school or call Butte Electric at 605-456-2494 or 800-928-8839.

2008-09 Scholarship Winner

Kaitlyn Hemmingson is a senior at Spearfish High School.Throughout her years she has been involved in many athletic, academic, and community service activities. She is a 12 year member of the Black Hills Gold Swim Team and in that time has captured 13 state championships and three state records. She is also one of few certified athlete coach members of USA Swimming and has contributed many hours of volunteer coaching to the team. Kaitlyn participated in high school soccer as well; she earned positions on the South Dakota All-State first and second teams and was nominated to be the captain of her team. Her participation in sports has earned her such honors as the 2005 SD Sports Girl Award, memberships to the SD All-Stars and Zones Swim Teams, and the James "Pev" Evans Scholar Athlete Award. Academically, Kaitlyn has also been very strong; she is an academic letter winner, has been listed on the A honor roll for over 4 years, is a member of both the National Honor Roll and National Honor Society, and was a Girls' State Delegate. Along with her dedication to sports and her success in the classroom, Kaitlyn has also been a member of many clubs and groups. She is the co-founder, President, and four year member of Key Club, and participates in many other groups such as; Teens Go Green, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, We the People, Student Council, Newspaper Crew, Yearbook Crew, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Most recently, Kaitlyn signed to swim Division I for South Dakota State University. While attending, she plans to major in mass communications and hopes to someday become a reporter. She is the daughter of Todd and Sharon Hemmingson, whom she credits to be the motivation behind her determination and success in life.

Previous Winners
1992 - Stacy Erhart, Belle Fourche
1993 - Sami Whitlock, Spearfish
1994 - Jason Langer, Spearfish
1995 - Melody Eide, Nisland
1996 - Kristin Keiry, Nisland
1997 - Amanda Richards, Spearfish
1998 - Scottie Hefner, Whitewood
1999 - Clinton Richards, Spearfish
2000 - Katrina Jensen, St. Onge
2001 - Jackie Harmon, Spearfish
2002 - Katie Pavel, Whitewood
2003 - Christopher Roozen, Spearfish
2004 - Sarah Manley, Sturgis
2005 - Nate Stephens, St. Onge
2006 - Kerrie Roozen, Spearfish
2007 - Roni Lamphere, Belle Fourche