More than 50 students will win Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships to attend the educational and athletic camps on college campuses this summer. The Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarship program is an example of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives’ commitment to community.

A local middle-school student received recognition during a women’s basketball game at North Carolina State University for winning a Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarship.

Saniya Wilson earned a Touchstone Energy scholarship from Rutherford EMC to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp last summer. She is the daughter of Darrel and Lavinia Wilson of Gastonia.

“Winning a Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarship is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Dirk Burleson, vice president of member and corporate services of Rutherford EMC. “Saniya is an outstanding scholar and athlete. We commend her for her hard work, and we’re proud to recognize her achievement at a Division I basketball game.”

During the Jan. 31 game against the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, Saniya stood with 22 fellow scholarship winners at mid-court to be recognized as a Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarship recipient. She and her family received free tickets to the game and attended a pre-game luncheon, where each camper accepted a certificate of accomplishment.

North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives also presented a check worth $15,750 in support of next year’s scholarships to the Wolfpack basketball camp.

Rutherford EMC is accepting applications for the 2016 Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships. Young men will compete for a scholarship to attend the Roy Williams Carolina Basketball Camp at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and young ladies can vie for a scholarship to the N.C. State Wolfpack Women’s camp in Raleigh.

Middle-school students have until March 31 to submit an application. Applicants will be judged on their application, essay and extracurricular activities. More information and the application are available at www.ncelectriccooperatives.com.

-Submitted by Denise Gavin