DEMCO announced $80,000 in scholarship awards for the 2026–2027 academic year, supporting 31 co-op member-students.
In July, the DEMCO Foundation awarded $3,000 scholarships to five DEMCO member-students: Blayne Beswetherick, Haydon Johnson, Jet Kroll, Miriam Kieronski and Reese Blue. Recipients were invited to DEMCO headquarters in Central to receive their scholarship awards for the upcoming fall semester.
“We wanted an opportunity to recognize each of these students and let them know we’re cheering them on as they continue their education,” says Rhowanda Vessel, DEMCO community relations coordinator. “It’s rewarding to see these scholarships going directly to members of the communities we serve.”
Earlier this year, at DEMCO’s Annual Membership Meeting in May, 26 co-op member-students were selected through a random drawing from 164 applicants, each receiving a $2,500 DEMCO Scholarship.
“As a local, not-for-profit cooperative, we look for ways to put resources back into the people and communities we serve,” says Mark Phillips, DEMCO chief executive officer and general manager. “Helping our members and their children pursue their education is one way we can support their future and, in turn, the future of our communities.”
While the scholarships are awarded through two separate programs, both are rooted in DEMCO’s cooperative commitment to its members and local communities. The DEMCO Foundation is supported by voluntary member contributions through Operation Round Up, while DEMCO Scholarships are funded through unclaimed deposits that may remain with the cooperative and be used to benefit member-students.
For decades, DEMCO and the DEMCO Foundation have collectively awarded over $2 million in scholarships, helping more than 1,600 local students continue their education.
For more information about DEMCO’s scholarship and youth programs, visit DEMCO.org/Community.
Photo: DEMCO Foundation 2026-2027 Scholarship Recipients
L to R: Miriam Kieronski, Blayne Beswetherick, Reese Blue, Haydon Johnson, Jet Kroll
