Round Up Trust awards 2026 scholarships

At its April 7^th meeting, the Brown County Rural Electric Trust Board met to review applications for the ninth annual Brown County Rural Electric Trust scholarships.

Nine $250 scholarships were awarded to high school seniors whose parents/guardians are Brown County REA members. The winners will receive their funds, to be used for educational costs, after successfully completing one semester at an accredited university, college, vocational, community or technical college.

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 2026 scholarship winners are:

Luke Bastian, son of Steve and Karen Bastian, and a senior at GFW High School.

Emily Brown, MVL High School senior, and daughter of Chad and Amber Brown.

Hunter Dauer, son of Chris and Jen Dauer, and senior or New Ulm Public High School.

Darren Messner, GFW High School senior and son of David & Bethany Messner.

Kailey Nelson, daughter of Joey and Stacy Nelson and a senior at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s.

Zachary Oswald, New Ulm Public High School senior and son of Adam Oswald.

Mya Rice, Springfield Public High School senior and daughter of Shayne and Casey Rice.

Owen Swenson, son of Rachel and Kris Swenson, and senior at GFW High School.

Katie Thram, Springfield Public High School senior and daughter of Chad and Jane Thram.

Congratulations & thank you to all the applicants.