Grand Valley Power Selects 2025 Scholarship and Youth Leadership Program Winners
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (June 24, 2025) – Grand Valley Power announces the recipients of its 2025 scholarship and youth leadership programs. The Grand Valley Power Scholarship Selection Committee chose nine outstanding students to receive college scholarships. In addition, the Grand Valley Power Member and Community Relations Committee selected three students to attend the 2025 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp and Washington D.C. Youth Tour, and a committee of the cooperative’s lineworkers selected a recipient of the CMU Tech Electric Lineworker Scholarship.
The Scholarship Selection Committee comprises past educators appointed by the board of directors. The committee selects recipients based on various qualifications such as academic performance, essay composition, academic and personal achievements, financial need, and community or school involvement. Applicants must also pursue undergraduate degrees or vocational certificates and reside in a home that receives electricity from Grand Valley Power. Grand Valley Power awarded a total of $22,000 in scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. Since 1996, Grand Valley Power has awarded more than $314,000 to students who are continuing their education. Scholarships are funded by unclaimed CashBack Credits.
The Grand Valley Power Member and Community Relations Committee, a committee of the Board of Directors, determines the recipients of the Youth Leadership programs, including the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp and Washington D.C. Youth Tour. Students are selected based on an essay submission and application and reside in a home that receives electricity from Grand Valley Power. The 2025 scholarship and youth program recipients are
Jack Broughton – Colorado Mesa University Scholarship - $2,000 (renewable and $8,000 total over four years)
Garrett Draper is a homeschool student who plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Colorado Mesa University this fall. He is a Palisade High School baseball team leader, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leader, and is active in his church and Bible study. In 2023, Garrett attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, an event dedicated to building communication and problem-solving skills, growing leadership skills, and learning from community members, speakers, and peers. In addition, Garrett participated in the 2024 Mesa County Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership camp, a ministry event that focuses on developing relationships and leadership skills.
Matt Williams STEM Scholarship - $1,500 (renewable to any accredited college or university and $6,000 total over four years)
Siena Guzman-Newton graduated from Palisade High School and intends to double major in Data Analytics and Business Administration at I.E. University in Segovia, Spain. Siena volunteers both locally and internationally — working with first graders at Holy Family Catholic School and spending two summers serving communities in Peru and Guatemala. She is eager to create a positive impact in the community and beyond. Siena is the president of Development of Great Students, co-president of the Palisade High School Earth Club, a National Honor Society Member, and a competitive road and mountain cyclist.
CMU Tech Scholarship - $1,500 one-time award for a student attending CMU Tech.
Payton Wilkerson graduated from Plateau Valley High School. She will pursue an EMT Certificate and associate’s degree in Paramedics at CMU Tech. Her interest in this field stems from first-hand experience. She received excellent and gentle care by paramedics and doctors during two serious injuries in her youth. Those paramedics and doctors inspired Payton to pursue her dream as a flight paramedic or backcountry rescuer. Payton is the team captain of both the women’s volleyball and basketball teams and a National Honor Society member.
CMU Tech Electric Lineworker Scholarship - $2,000 one-time award for enrollment in the CMU Tech Electric Lineworker program (open to Mesa County residents).
Rhett Ward is a 2023 Palisade High School graduate. He was the football team captain and led the team in both offensive yards and defensive tackles. He was named to the Colorado Football Players to Watch list. After graduation, Rhett attended CMU to study Mechanical Engineering, but decided his true heart’s desire is an outdoor, hands-on lineworker career. He received his CDL earlier this year and is excited to attend the CMU Tech Electric Lineworker program this fall. Rhett currently works for the Cowboy and The Rose Catering and has been a part of their team for more than four years.
Grand Valley Power Scholarship - This one-time $1,500 scholarship (per person) is awarded to students who plan to attend an accredited institution of post-secondary education. The six recipients of the Grand Valley Power scholarship are
Lucas Lopes graduated from the IB Program at Palisade High School. He will attend the University of Colorado Boulder to study Computer Science. His interest in mathematics, coding, and problem solving began at a young age. Just this February, Lucas was recognized as the Student of the Quarter by District 51. In addition to his academics, he volunteers at the Grand Junction Central Library with an active role in the Summer Reading Program, and he participated in a project in his hometown of Natal, Brazil, to support vulnerable children and adolescents within the community.
Callie Mitchell is a Fruita Monument High School graduate who plans to study Veterinary Science at Colorado Mesa University. Callie’s caring nature is evident in her volunteer experiences, including the Special Olympics, the Clifton Animal Shelter,
and the Clifton Elementary present exchange. As an employee of Vineyard Memory Care, Callie provides support for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other
memory diagnoses. In addition to her volunteer and work experience, she is a student athlete playing volleyball and softball. Callie enjoys history, writing, drawing, and outdoor recreation.
Lia Bunnell plans to study Business Finance at Utah State University. She graduated from Grand Junction High School, where she was a student-athlete in volleyball, soccer, and cross country, earning varsity letters in both soccer and cross country. Lia works at Four Winds Coffee & Tea as a shift lead, creating coffee, connections, and community. Some of her greatest leadership experiences include being a counselor for the Outdoor Wilderness Lab, a National Honor Society officer, a Millennial Club member, and a Ski and Board Club officer.
Karyssa Daugherty is a Central High School graduate who plans to study Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Her interest in engineering grew exponentially while participating with the FIRST Robotic Competition Team 4994, The Hi Fives. Karyssa is a National Honor Society member. She has volunteered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a local organization providing twin beds to families in need, and volunteered with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation. Karyssa has technical drafting and Autodesk certificates and is actively working toward her entry-level machinist certificate.
Lynessa Asplund has always had a passion for serving others and intends to continue that passion after graduating from Palisade High School. As a first-generation college student, Lynessa will study Biology at Wayne State University on her way to becoming a physician. Lynessa is the Palisade High School student body vice president and the Speech and Debate congressional debate captain. She volunteers at St. Mary’s Hospital and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), gaining hands-on experience with patients, fundraising, community engagement, and leadership. In her free time, Lynessa participates in lacrosse and ski club, is a part-time babysitter, and works at Starbucks.
Jonathan Overbye is a Fruita Monument High School graduate interested in energy systems and aerospace. Combining those interests with a curiosity of how things work has led Jonathan to pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree at Colorado School of Mines. As the President of the Fruita Service Engineering Club, he works on several community service projects including ADA accessibility at Moon Farm and a greenhouse project at FMHS. Some of his most rewarding experiences include being a counselor for the Outdoor Wilderness Lab, volunteering as a student election judge for Mesa County, and being a member of Youth Advocacy and Politics Club and National Honor Society.
2025 Cooperative Youth Camp Participants – Two students were selected to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to the Cooperative Leadership Camp in Clark, Colo. Only 100 students are selected from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming to attend. Grand Valley Power’s youth programs provide students with hands-on leadership experience where students leave with a better understanding of the cooperative business model and memories of a lifetime.
Hunter White is going into his senior year at Plateau Valley High School, where he served as Student Council Vice President and the Future Farmers of America chapter reporter. He is the team captain of both the PVHS football and track teams. Hunter volunteers with Hospice HopeWest, helping with community events such as Hospice Spring Swing, Oktoberfest, and many others. He enjoys building connections and is looking forward to growing his leadership skills while creating meaningful friendships with peers and leaders at the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp.
Madison Shaver will be a senior at Fruita Monument High School in the fall. She enjoys exploring her creative side through painting, drawing, ceramics, and wood burning. Her inspiration comes from nature and mythology. For over eight years she has participated in mixed martial arts and recently earned her first-degree black belt. Madison enjoys the outdoors and in 2024 worked for the Colorado National Monument as part of the Youth Conservation Corp. Madison is excited to grow her leadership skills while sharing her love of the outdoors with others at the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp.
2025 Washington D.C. Youth Tour Participant – One student was selected to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to the Washington D.C. Youth Tour. This trip allows students to experience American history firsthand and meet our nation's leaders.
Jonathan Overbye is a Fruita Monument High School graduate who will pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree at Colorado School of Mines. Some of his most rewarding experiences include being the President of the Fruita Service Engineering Club, a counselor for the Outdoor Wilderness Lab, volunteering as a student election judge for Mesa County, and being a Youth Advocacy and Politics Club and National Honor Society member. Jonathan is interested in expanding his knowledge of national and local government, engaging with like-minded peers, and growing his public service involvement through politics, advocacy, and community leadership.