Southern Pioneer Electric is offering $21,000 in general scholarships to 2022 high school graduates attending school and residing within any of our area schools.  Students must also have plans to attend a postsecondary education institution during the fall 2022 semester to qualify.

Completed applications must be submitted online no later than 5 p.m. on February 1 including the required one-page resume and seventh-semester transcripts. Southern Pioneer Electric will accept transcripts via mail or through email sent by a school staff member.

Southern Pioneer Electric also offers scholarships for students interested in pursuing a career in power line technology. Students planning to enroll in a power line technology program next fall may submit their applications separately. Students may not apply for both scholarships.

Information regarding the 2022 scholarship contest, a list of qualifying schools and the applications to apply can be found by visiting Southern Pioneer Electric’s Scholarship page.

Sublette., Kansas – Members of Southern Pioneer Electric’s H.U.G.S. team awarded the City of Sublette with $2,000 in grant funds on Nov. 11. The grant was matched by Southern Pioneer’s financial partner, CoBank, through its Sharing Success program that matches the charitable contributions of its customers. Together, the contributions will help purchase two new illuminated stops signs, replacing the flashing stoplight located at the US Highway 56 and Inman Street intersection in Sublette.

“The current stoplight that runs across the intersection can be difficult to see,” said City of Sublette Superintendent, Daylen Elsey. “The stoplight also has to be temporarily removed when large or tall loads pass through Highway 56.”

Elsey says the stop signs will draw more attention for drivers, increasing safety for schools and businesses located near the intersection.

“Southern Pioneer Electric’s H.U.G.s program assists projects emphasizing community improvement,” said Anita Wendt, vice president of energy services at Southern Pioneer. “This project not only improves the community, but it also makes it safer. We’re proud to be able to assist the city of Sublette with purchasing these stop signs.”

Liberal, Kansas – Southern Pioneer’s H.U.G.S. (Helping Us Give to Society) team presented Liberal Recreation with a $2,900 grant on Nov. 11. The grants will fund the purchase of a new Shoot-A-Way basketball machine. The department also received a $3,000 grant from CoBank’s Sharing Success Program that matches the charitable contributions of its customers.

Matt Quint, the recreation center’s director, said the basketball machine engages athletes in numerous ways.

“The Shoot-A-Way basketball machine can rebound the ball for players, keep track of misses and makes and even teach you to shoot with the perfect arch,” said Quint. “There is also a leaderboard element to the machine that can turn making shots into a competition.”

The Liberal Recreation Department offers open gym time every day to anyone in the community free of charge. The Shoot-A-Way basketball machine will be available to anyone who utilizes the facility.

Southern Pioneer funds its H.U.G.S. team through recycled materials. Pieces of steel, aluminum, or copper taken out of service are recycled and turned into funds for community-focused projects. As funds become available, Southern Pioneer Electric seeks our projects to fund within its service territory. More information regarding the program can be found on Southern Pioneer’s website