Student Learns Cooperative Spirit

Matt Havird was just a few weeks shy of graduating from Mid-Carolina High School in Prosperity when he got the good news.

"I was surprised at first and then happy that they selected me," Havird said.

The 18-year-old was one of seven high school seniors chosen in 2003 for a $1,000 Mid-Carolina Electric Touchstone Energy/Spirit of Cooperation Scholarship. Each year, Mid-Carolina Electric awards the scholarships to local students who are exceptional examples of "The Spirit of Cooperation."

Havird, who is from Little Mountain, now attends Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood where he is working toward a degree in horticulture landscape management.

"I always liked working outside and this seems like a great career," Havird said. "Now I’m getting to learn about something that I want to learn about."

He added that he hopes to one day own his one landscaping business. In the meantime, he said he was using his MCEC scholarship to purchase books and course materials for his classes.

"It's helping me out a lot," he said. "I know a lot of students that come up short when they’re trying to buy books and class-required materials. This scholarship is a big help."

Scholarships are based on need, participation in extracurricular school activities, community involvement and recommendations from references.

Students do not have to be members of MCEC to be eligible. Family members of MCEC employees or board members are not eligible. Applications are available at school guidance offices, by mail and online at www.mcecoop.com/education.htm. For more information contact MCEC at 749-6555.

The scholarships will be awarded at MCEC's annual meeting on April 2.

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