Oconto Electric Cooperative is very proud to award five $500 scholarships to area students each year whose parent or guardian is a residential member of OEC. Money for the scholarships does not come from the rates you pay, it comes from unclaimed capital credits. It is difficult to pick just five recipients from all of the applications we receive due to the high quality of students in this area. Here are the 2007 Oconto Electric Cooperative scholarship recipients:	Katie Jo Herald – The daughter of Dennis and Geralyn Herald, Katie will be graduating from Oconto High School. In the fall she plans to attend Ripon College where she will pursue a degree in Political Science. Katie has been active in band, Science club, the Senate Scholarship program and competed in the National Lifesmarts competition in Washington DC. She also served on the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association Youth Board for one year. “My goals include getting an internship in Washington DC while attending the American University. I would like to work in a foreign embassy, studying abroad, and helping our country maintain peace,” says Katie.
Dana Ermis – Dana is graduating from Suring High School and she plans to attend UW-Oshkosh in the fall. She will pursue a degree in Psychology and then go on to attain a law degree at UW-Madison. Some of the activities she has been involved in are National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, band, choir, basketball and track. Dana states, “In the future, I would like to become a partner in a trusted law firm. Another goal I have is to some day become the District Attorney of Oconto County, or one of the neighboring counties. I feel confident in my eventual ability to represent the people in a competent manner.” Dana’s parents are Dohn and Roma Ermis. Eric R. Kamps – Eric is a graduate of Oconto Falls High School and his parents are Brian and Julie Kamps. He has been accepted to UW-Madison where he will study biology and agriculture and eventually get a teaching degree. Eric has been active in FFA, student council, National Honor Society, football, Boy Scouts and has been class president for two years.Eric explains his future plans, “Becoming a middle or high school teacher provides everything I want in a career. Teaching has job security, benefits, and a set schedule which are important to me. Also returning to Northeast Wisconsin is a goal to me because this is where I call home. I like the seasons and the scenery and this is where I want my future career to be.”
	Leslie Lukas – A graduate of Lena High School, Leslie plans to attend UW-Madison in the fall. She plans to double major in vocal music and communications. Leslie has been active in Forensics, drama, band, choir, volleyball, basketball and National Honor Society. “Madison offers a unique chance for students to double major in music and another subject. I have decided to take advantage of this opportunity and major in communications also. Since I have always been drawn to television and the media I believe this is a perfect major for me. Music and communications are majors that can easily intertwine to form a career that would require knowledge in both areas, ideal for my interests,” explains Leslie about her future career. Leslie’s parents are Jim Lukas and Gayle Tonn Lukas. Eric C. Paulson – Eric is a recent graduate of Gillett High School. His parents are Roger and Susan Paulson. He is planning on attending UW-River Falls where he plans to get a degree in agriculture – specifically crop and soil science. Eric has been active throughout high school in FFA, basketball, football, band and National Honor Society. Eric states, “Crop and soil science is the degree that I have chosen to focus on because with that degree I am open to a large variety of jobs. It will also give me a chance to work outdoors which is something that I really enjoy doing. I would like to find a job working for a local co-op or exploring a job in the development of new seeds and new uses for crops we grow.” Oconto Electric congratulates all of our scholarship recipients and hopes all of their dreams and plans are fulfilled.