Lillard-Shadow Scholarship

Geographic Scope: VEC service area in Tennessee (Decatur, Meigs County, and surrounding counties). Four service districts: Jamestown, Crossville, Decatur, and Cleveland Service Districts.

Purpose: Rewards academic and community service achievements. Honors J.W. Lillard and Willis A. Shadow, two community leaders who spearheaded efforts to bring electric power to Decatur and Meigs County in the 1930s, founding the Meigs County Power Association (later Volunteer Energy Cooperative).

Award Structure:

• Four scholarships awarded annually (one per service district)
• $2,000 per scholarship ($500 per semester, renewable for up to four semesters)

Eligibility:

• High school seniors graduating from high schools in VEC service area
• Must be children/dependents of VEC electric customers (parents or guardians must be VEC customers)
• Spring graduation requirement

Selection Criteria (judged by independent panel of education professionals):

• Community service activities and citizenship: 40%
• Written communication skills: 20%
• Financial need: 25%
• Academic achievement: 15%

Application Process

1. Obtain Application Materials:
   • Available at any VEC Customer Service Center
   • Available from high school counselors in VEC service area
   • Available online at www.vec.org
2. Complete Application:
   • Fill out all required application materials
   • Provide written responses demonstrating community service, citizenship, and academic achievement
3. Submit Application:
   • Deliver completed application to VEC's Corporate Office in Decatur
   • Deadline: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date (typically early March; check website for current year deadline)
   • Alternative submission noted: "VEC's Marketing and Economic Development Department"
4. Review:
   • Independent panel of education professionals reviews applications
   • Judging criteria: community service (40%), writing skills (20%), financial need (25%), academic achievement (15%)
5. Award Notification:
   • Winners announced (typically in June)
   • Four recipients selected (one from each service district)