WIRE awards three scholarships
$1,000 each
The Kentucky Chapter of Women in Rural Electrification recently selected its 2024 scholarship winners: James Todd Clemmons, a Farmers RECC consumer-member; Valerie Inman, a South Kentucky RECC consumer-member; and Emily Fraim, a Clark Energy consumer-member.
Each received a $1,000 scholarship.
“Receiving this scholarship is an honor and a tremendous help in achieving my educational goals,” Clemmons says. “I am deeply grateful to WIRE for this opportunity.”
Expected to graduate in December 2025, Clemmons says he is motivated to make a better life for himself and his son. Majoring in anthropology, Clemmons aspires to become a teacher to help shape young minds in a positive direction.
Shown are South Kentucky RECC District 6 Director Boris Haynes, left, Valerie Inman, Sharon Haynes and SKRECC CEO Kevin Newton. Photo: Morghan Blevins
WIRE scholarships aim to support talented and driven students like Clemmons in their pursuit of higher education.
“We are incredibly proud to award this scholarship to James Clemmons,” says WIRE President Kim Bush, who also serves as executive assistant at Grayson RECC. “He exemplifies the qualities we look for in our scholarship recipients, and we are excited to support his future endeavors.”
Inman attends Eastern Kentucky University online and is pursuing a degree in psychology. “I’m 80% finished,” she says.
Fraim, of Richmond, attends Eastern Kentucky University and is pursuing a degree in communication studies.
Emily Fraim receives a $1,000 WIRE Scholarship. Photo: Clark Energy
Women in Rural Electrification was created as a nonprofit organization to foster interest in and understanding of the rural electric program and to improve the quality of life in rural areas.
To support WIRE, through August 2025, $10 from the sale of every copy of The Back Page by Kentucky Living columnist Byron Crawford will go toward the scholarship program. Buy your copy of The Back Page at KentuckyLiving.com/TheBackPage.
The 2025 WIRE Scholarship Application period opens in January.
SHANNON BROCK is editor of Kentucky Living. She enjoys telling stories of co-op members and employees who live out the co-op mission.
