More than 200 graduating high school students have benefitted from the SRNS Family Scholarship Program since its inception in 2009, providing $675,000 in college scholarships. This year, 15 members of SRNS employees’ families each received $3,000 scholarships. “With $3,000, I can pay for all my books or my housing for a whole semester,” said Jason Edwards, Williston-Elko High School. “I think this is a great thing, especially when you consider that SRNS is providing scholarships to so many others from many local schools.”

The winning students were graded and selected based on ability, leadership, community service and scholastic achievement. “Each student was so impressive,” said Rich Zaharek, SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Office, Environmental Missions. “It’s not just their academic excellence. These students always seem to excel in multiple areas of their lives, be it sports, at their place of worship or devoting time and other resources to those in need. They’re all so exceptionally mature for their ages and incredibly gifted. We hope many of these young men and women, like their parents, will one day join the SRNS family.”

“This gift is going to help lift a pretty big burden off my back, regarding what I’m going to have to pay for college,” said Midland Valley senior Shelby Saunders. “It’s highly appreciated.” Saunders plans to attend the College of Charleston, majoring in biology and pre-med, with the career goal of being a medical examiner.