News

PPL Montana Awards Scholarships to Exceptional Students

BILLINGS, Mont. (June 21, 2002) - PPL Montana has awarded scholarships to eight exceptional graduating high school seniors who will be attending college in the fall.

"Each year we have applicants who are valedictorians, have exceptional test scores and have extremely impressive records in school and community activities," said Brad Spencer, PPL Montana's chief operating officer. "Selection of a few students from among such a stellar group of applicants is a very difficult task."

A group of employees makes the selections each year. Outstanding students are selected on the basis of a combination of the following characteristics: high academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities, financial necessity, recommendations and a personal essay.

There are two categories of scholarships. PPL Montana Family Scholarship winners for 2002 are children of PPL Montana employees. They will receive a $1,000 scholarship to a college of their choice, renewable for four years. The four winners are:

• Seth Larson, son of Lance and Candace Larson, Billings, who plans to go to Northwestern Christian College in Orange City, Iowa.

• Lacie Hamilton, daughter of Richard Hamilton, Colstrip, who plans to go to the University of Minnesota.

• Caleb Mellbom, son of Pete and Maggie Mellbom, Forsyth, who will attend LeTourneau University.

• Kelly Lynn Engebretson, daughter of Guy and Ann Engebretson, Thompson Falls, who will attend York College.

Four students who are not associated with PPL Montana will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to a college of their choice within Montana, renewable for four years. The winners in this category are:

• Cheryl Anne Clark, daughter of Joseph Dean and Margaret Ann Clark, Three Forks, who will attend the University of Montana.

• Heather Elam, daughter of Terry and Teresa Elam, Belt, who will attend Carroll College.

• Lori McLeod, daughter of Leroy and Marolyn McLeod, Kalispell, who will go to the University of Montana.

• Collette Sue Grilley, daughter of Gary and Janet Headington, Power, also plans to go to the University of Montana.

Billings and eastern Montana area winners:

• Billings' Seth Larson, whose high school background included academic achievement and athletic prowess, will study pre-medicine at Northwestern Christian College in Orange City, Iowa, with the intention to attend the University of Washington Medical School. Eventually, Seth would like to practice medicine in Montana.
• Park City's Lacie Hamilton achieved a superior academic record, equaled by her leadership in National Honor Society, Student Council, Girls State and Business Professionals of America. She will attend the University of Minnesota in the fall.
• Forsyth's Caleb Mellbom, was valedictorian of his class, president of the senior class, a Boys State representative, a wrestler, an American Legion baseball player, and completed countless other extracurricular activities. He also helped on a neighbor's ranch, fixed computers and coached youth baseball. He hopes to play professional baseball on his way to an electrical engineering career.

Central Montana area winners:

• Collette Sue Grilley, Power, completed high school with a perfect 4.0 average, was Academic All-State, participated in the State Music Festival, student government and yearbook staff and was on the volleyball team and drill team. She also worked in everything from waitressing to farm work and elder care. She will attend the University of Montana, pursuing a career in law.
• Cheryl Anne Clark, Three Forks, salutatorian of her senior class, was also active in the National Honor Society, student government, drama, music and Academic Olympics. She was a varsity track and field participant. She was an active community volunteer for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Cheryl will attend the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana in the fall.
• Heather Elam, Belt, balanced noteworthy academic achievement with athletics, community service, and work during her high school experience. She was in the National Honor Society, played basketball, volleyball and ran track and played in the band. Heather will attend Carroll College in the fall, pursuing a career as a teacher.

Western Montana winners:

• Kelly Lynn Engebretson, Thompson Falls, has an outstanding academic record, was in the National Honor Society, served on the Student Council, attended the District Band Festival and Music Festival, was selected for the Junior Nationals Basketball All-State and was an active community volunteer. Kelly will attend York College in the fall.
• Lori McLeod, Kalispell, had a remarkable high school experience, balancing academics with work and community service. She was a peer helper in Business Professionals of America, Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead, a team captain for the American Cancer Society in its Relay for Life, a volunteer at Brendon House and an English teacher for students in China. Lori will attend the University of Montana in the fall.

This is the third consecutive year that PPL Montana has awarded scholarships to exceptional high school students.

PPL Montana is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation.