MOORE HAVEN — The Glades Electric Educational Foundation awarded $52,000 in college scholarships this spring to graduating high school seniors across its service area in Glades, Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee counties, recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and community commitment.

Students were recognized during the annual Glades Electric Youth Scholarship Banquet held May 5, 2026, at the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center. The evening included a dinner and formal awards presentation celebrating the accomplishments of local students pursuing higher education.

Each year, the Foundation awards at least eight $5,000 scholarships to eligible seniors whose legal permanent residence is served directly by Glades Electric Cooperative. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic performance, leadership, an essay submission, and demonstrated financial need.

In addition to scholarship recipients, attendees recognized the 2026 delegates selected for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Gabriel Gonzalez-Molina of Okeechobee High School and Ellise Mills of Lake Placid High School, both high school juniors, were chosen for the all-expenses-paid leadership trip scheduled for June.

2026 $5,000 Scholarship recipients are: Ayden Corsoneti, Clewiston Christian School; Emma Horne, Lake Placid High School; Lilly Larson, Okeechobee High School; Yaneli Ortega, Clewiston High School; Addison Ridgdill, Moore Haven Middle-High School; Katelyn Rowe, Sebring High School; Dylan Stanley, Clewiston High School; Emmy White, Okeechobee High School.

2026 $2,000 Scholarship recipients: are Emily Branch, Moore Haven Middle-High School; Jasmine DeSantiago, Clewiston High School; Travis Hall, Lake Placid High School; Leyla Lazo, Clewiston Christian School; Izsak Szucs, Clewiston High School; Jaquelin Torres, Lake Placid High School.

The Glades Electric Educational Foundation continues its mission to invest in the future of local communities by supporting students as they pursue college degrees and return to serve the region’s workforce and leadership needs.

Glades Electric Educational Foundation was formed in 2000 to provide scholarships to students living within the service area of Glades Electric Cooperative to further their education. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded $822,000 in college and career scholarships.