Barbara Roden
The Journal
The BC Hydro Power Pioneers are looking for applications from high school students for their annual Community Service Awards.
There are 20 branches of the Power Pioneers throughout the province, with each branch giving a $1,000 award to a student in its region who has dedicated a significant amount of time and energy to volunteering in their community.
Retired BC Hydro employee Mike Bachman, a member of the 100 Mile Power Pioneers, says that student activities run the gamut from working for the SPCA to volunteering with seniors. Last year’s winner from this region—which includes Clinton, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, and Lytton—was 100 Mile student Madisson Montgomery.
“In 2014 there weren’t enough applicants for us to give the award, but last year we had five or six,” says Bachman. He notes that the more information students can give in their applications, the better.
“Some kids gave us one page, others gave four or five and really elaborated, which gives us a better feel for the person,” he says.
The Power Pioneers is the official retiree organization for BC Hydro. It’s currently made up of more than 2,100 former BC Hydro employees and their spouses.
Applications for the Community Service Awards are being accepted until March 31, 2016, and are open to high school students throughout the province. More information, as well as the application form, can be found at http://powerpioneers.com/.