Don Stemple Scholarship

Press Release: Scholarship Opportunity

Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative is now accepting applications for its 2026 Don Stemple Scholarship. The scholarship opportunity is open to area high school 2026 graduates whose parent or grandparent is a cooperative member.

Named in honor of retired Cooperative board member and Sevier County educator Don Stemple, the scholarship is valued at $2,000 and is co-funded ($1,000) by Today’s Power, Incorporated (TPI), the managing corporation of the Cooperative’s C. Wayne Whitaker Solar Power Generation Facility, and a matching donation funded by Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative. 

The Don Stemple Scholarship will be awarded to one high school senior each year and may be used at a college or technical/trade school.

To be considered as a scholarship candidate the student’s parent or grandparent must be a cooperative member and applicants will be asked to submit an essay of at least 1,000 words. 

The topic for the 2026 essay should discuss, “How a cooperative should balance the potential economic benefits of investing in infrastructure to attract large employers or industrial customers to the community with the financial impact on its existing members.”

In addition, the following information should accompany the completed application and essay:
•    Your most recent academic transcript and achievements
•    A copy of your college entrance exam scores (ACT and/or SAT) 
•    Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or employer
•    Documented high school and/or community activities and school and/or community honors along with community service and leadership

The deadline to submit the application and information is April 30. 

Submissions may be emailed to rmorrow@swrea.com or delivered to 2904 E 9th Street, Texarkana, Arkansas.

A link to the scholarship application is available HERE. For additional information, call Rhonda Morrow, Executive Administrator, at 870-772-2743 ext. 1201.

2025 and Past Recipients