OTEC Awards 24 Scholarships to Eastern Oregon Students for the 2026-27 Academic Year

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) has awarded 24 scholarships to students across Baker, Grant, Harney, and Union counties for the 2026-27 academic year. Administered by the OTEC Member Foundation, the scholarships support graduating high school seniors, returning college students, adult learners, and incoming Eastern Oregon University freshmen who commit to four years at EOU. 

Guided by Cooperative Principle #7, Concern for Community, OTEC invests in the next generation of leaders who live, learn, and build their futures across eastern Oregon. 

OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship Program 

The OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship Program is a partnership between Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative and Eastern Oregon University. This year, four incoming EOU freshmen have been selected to receive the scholarship, which covers all tuition and fees for four years. Recipients commit to graduating from EOU and completing an annual summer internship with OTEC. 

The 2026 OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship recipients are: 

• Jackson Davenport (Union High School) 
• Alaina Pearson (Mountain View Academy) 
• Tyler Thompson (Dayville High School) 
• Ella Wilde (Baker Early College) 

"Receiving the OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship means so much to both me and my family. As longtime OTEC customers, we are incredibly grateful for the support OTEC provides not only to our community, but also to students pursuing their education and future goals. This scholarship will help ease the financial burden of college and serves as a reminder of the strong connection and support within our rural community." — Ella Wilde, 2026 OTEC-EOU Rural Scholarship recipient

Graduating High School Student Scholarship — $5,000 Award 

The 12 recipients of OTEC's 2026 Graduating High School Student Scholarship are: 

• Claire Bachman (Baker High School) 
• Stran Bingham (Powder Valley High School) 
• Elizabeth Carpenter (La Grande High School) 
• Kellee Dixon (Powder Valley High School) 
• Preston Fretwell (Dayville High School) 
• Cassidy Hogge (La Grande High School) 
• Marquesa Peterson (Baker High School) 
• Samuel Platz (Union High School) 
• Addison Robbins (Burns High School) 
• Hayley Smith (Burns High School) 
• Kindell Taylor (Baker High School) 
• Boyden Weaver (Dayville High School) 

Returning College Student or Adult Scholarship — $5,000 Award 

The eight recipients of OTEC's 2026 Returning College Student or Adult Scholarship are: 
• Tayleur Baker (Harney County) 
• Jayda Cant (Union County) 
• Ayla Davies (Harney County) 
• Gabe Gambleton (Baker County) 
• Abbie Justice (Grant County) 
• Emmaleigh Larson (Grant County) 
• Paige Marlia (Baker County) 
• Gabriel Zamora (Union County) 

OTEC congratulates each of this year’s scholarship recipients on their hard work, dedication, and achievement, and looks forward to seeing the bright futures they will continue building across eastern Oregon and beyond. 

How OTEC Scholarships Are Funded 

OTEC scholarships are funded through donations and unclaimed capital credits. Tax-deductible contributions can be made directly to the scholarship fund through the OTEC Member Foundation. Options include contributing capital credit retirements, making a one-time gift, or establishing a named scholarship fund that supports students in specific career fields or communities. For more information on OTEC scholarships, including how to apply or contribute, visit otec.coop/scholarships or contact the OTEC Member Foundation at memberfoundation@otec.coop.