Eight $250 scholarships were awarded to high school seniors whose parents/guardians are Brown County REA members. Funds for the scholarships come from members who choose to round up their electric bill to the nearest dollar each month. The difference is placed in a trust which is administered by a nine-member board which meets four times each year to distribute funds to charitable causes, individuals and families in crisis, and scholarships.

The 2025 scholarship winners are:

• William Bastian, son of Steve & Karen Bastian, and a senior a senior at GFW High School.
• Grant Kuehn, Springfield High School senior, and son of Jeff & Courtney Kuehn.
• Justin Messner, son of David & Bethany Messner, and senior at GFW High School.
• Joseph Nachreiner, Comfrey High School senior and son of Brad & Jessica Nachreiner.
• Cadence Okerman, daughter of Ray & Renee Okerman and a senior at Sleepy Eye High School.
• Rachel Portner, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's senior and daughter of Mark & Lisa Portner.
• Elissa Ries, Cathedral High School senior, is the daughter of Cindy Preisinger and the late Jason Ries. Her guardians are Glenn & Jackie Forst.
• Shelby Seifert, daughter of Jason & Sarah Seifert, and senior at New Ulm High School.

Congratulations & thank you to all the applicants.