Union University Honors Amanda Bean With $10,000 Washington Youth Tour Scholarship
JACKSON – Union University is pleased to announce that Amanda Bean of Morristown, Tenn. is the recipient of the school’s second $10,000 Washington Youth Tour Creative Writing Competition scholarship.
“These are the future leaders that we want at Union,” Robbie Graves, Union University’s assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions, says. “We believe that delegates to the Washington Youth Tour develop skills that will help them succeed here at Union and beyond. We are glad to partner with the state’s electric co-ops to provide scholarships to these young people. We particularly congratulate Amanda Bean on her outstanding achievements. She is an exceptional young lady.”
Bean, a student from the Holston Electric Cooperative service territory had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. as a part of the 2024 Washington Youth Tour to learn more about leadership, history and public policy.
“At Holston Electric Cooperative, we are proud to support and participate in programs like the Washington Youth Tour, which not only exposes our students to the workings of our government but also help shape the future of our community,” Jimmy Sandlin, HEC’s general manager, says. “This scholarship is not only a significant achievement for Amanda. This is a direct result of the collaboration between TECA, cooperatives like ours and Union University, all working together to create opportunities for local students. Programs like the Washington Youth Tour are part of our ongoing commitment to invest in the next generation of leaders. By supporting educational initiatives like these, Holston Electric Cooperative helps create a brighter future for our students and our community as a whole.”
Bean, along with 6,000 other high school students from across the state, have participated in the Electric Cooperative Creative Writing and Scholarship Competition since its start in the 1960s.
“The Washington Youth Tour has opened so many doors for me,” Bean says. “I never expected to create lasting relationships or to win scholarship money. Winning the $10,000 per year scholarship for Union University through the WYT has been absolutely amazing and will help make college more affordable. This trip has taught me there are so many benefits when I step out of my comfort zone. I encourage everyone to write the essay!”
The scholarship is part of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s partnership with both Carson Newman and Union University. Union University has also awarded four $4,000 Washington Youth Tour scholarship winners: Allison Hoesel of Middle Tennessee Electric, Alexis Hale of Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, David Jones of Appalachian Electric Cooperative and Clark French of Forked Deer Electric Cooperative.
