Columbia City, IN – Two local teenagers were recently awarded $1,000 college scholarships from Northeastern REMC, a member-owned electric cooperative powering six counties in Northeast Indiana. For several years, Northeastern REMC (NREMC) has selected two high school seniors in their service area to receive these awards.
 
Tessa Tonkel, daughter of Todd and Sue Tonkel of Columbia City, will attend Indiana University this fall to study nursing.
 
At Columbia City High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society for two years and the basketball team for four years. She also served as a basketball mentor and a youth league coach, among other community activities.
 
In her teacher's recommendation letter, Tonkel was noted as a role model to other students, dedicated to her studies, and successfully balanced the demands of academic excellence, working a part-time job and contributing as a leader on the basketball team.
 
Harrison Brooks, son of Shawn and Kimberly Brooks of southwest Fort Wayne, will attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, this fall, where he will study sports management.
 
Brooks is a former Wayne High School football team captain, earning two-time All-Conference and All-Northeast Indiana honors. He's also served as president of the Northeast Indiana Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, among other notable community activities.
 
A recommendation letter from the program director of Pave the Path Youth Leadership Program, where Brooks volunteers, notes Brooks' ability to lead and how he pushes others to use grit and grow their abilities.
 
NREMC awards scholarships based on academic achievement, community involvement, and recommendations. “We are proud to offer this scholarship program each year,” said Eric Jung, CEO of Northeastern REMC. He continued, “There is no better way to encourage our local students to pursue higher education than by giving them financial help.”
 
To learn more about these annual scholarships or NREMC’s youth programs, visit www.nremc.com/community.