The Cobb EMC Foundation has awarded a total of $73,500 in scholarships to outstanding high school seniors living in Cobb EMC’s service area, recognizing academic achievement, leadership and a commitment to continuing education.
 
This year, the Foundation awarded 14 scholarships of $5,000 each and seven scholarships of $500 each to students pursuing higher education at colleges, universities or technical institutions across the country. Scholarship recipients were formally recognized during an awards dinner held Tuesday, May 5.
 
Interest in the 2026 scholarship program was strong, with 179 applications received from eligible students across Cobb EMC’s service area. Following an initial review, the Cobb EMC Foundation selection committee invited 21 finalists to participate in an interview round as part of the evaluation process.
 
“These students represent the very best of our communities,” said Mark Justice, senior manager of Education and Community Relations at Cobb EMC. “We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and honored to support their next step.”
 
This year’s scholarship recipients represent nine different high schools and reflect a broad range of academic interests and post-secondary pathways. Recipients will attend a diverse list of institutions, including Spelman College, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Samford University, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
 
“The Cobb EMC Foundation believes that powering education is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future of the communities we serve,” said Carley Stephens, executive director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. “By investing in these students today, we are helping develop future leaders who will make a lasting impact in their communities.”
 
Through its scholarship program and other educational initiatives, Cobb EMC and the Cobb EMC Foundation continue to demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community investment and to powering education across the cooperative’s service area.
 
The Cobb EMC Foundation $5,000 scholarship recipients for 2026 are:

• Aashrith Muppalla – Walton High School
• Abhijeet Ghosh – Walton High School
• Adaku Okeh – Hillgrove High School
• Ava Kornegay – Wheeler High School
• Caden Saldi – Mount Paran High School
• Charlie Hanchey – Etowah High School
• Ella Hendrix – Roswell High School
• Elizabeth Gavieres – Lassiter High School
• Hajira Khizer – Wheeler High School
• Keelin Murray – Woodstock High School
• Mary Harvey – Mount Paran High School
• Meredith Diller – Allatoona High School
• Rainer Miles – Wheeler High School
• Star Lesle Orji – Osborne High School