Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) recognized local high school senior Carrie Houston for her commitment to community service and academic achievements by awarding her the 2024 Lillard-Shadow Scholarship.
Carrie is the daughter of Brad and Amanda Houston. She graduated from Stone Memorial High School with a 4.0 GPA and was ranked in the top ten percent of her graduating class. She has served her community by volunteering as a tutor, reading and distributing books to young children, and participating in Christmas projects for the underprivileged. Her chemistry and physics teacher describes her as driven, exceptional, and sharp. Carrie plans to attend Tennessee Tech University in the fall.
The Lillard-Shadow Scholarship program was endowed to honor J.W. Lillard and Willis A. Shadow. Lillard and Shadow were dedicated to improving the lives and livelihoods of community residents through electric power. Committed to public service and community involvement, they were instrumental in the organization of the Meigs County Electric Membership Corporation in 1935. This organization eventually evolved into Volunteer Energy Cooperative.