SouthEastern Illinois Electric Cooperative began its operations on October 5th, 1938 and is celebrating 70 years of service this year.  SEIEC is very proud to be one of a number of businesses in our area that remain locally owned, locally governed and locally operated in Southern Illinois.  Although much has changed over the last 70 years, there are some things that remain unchanged such as your Cooperative's commitment to the communities that it serves.  Your Cooperative remains committed to its communities and the following is just a few examples of how your electric cooperative is striving to make a difference, especially for our local students, right here in Southern Illinois.

Your cooperative participates in a statewide education grant program known as the Touchstone Energy Classroom Empowerment Grant.  Touchstone Energy Cooperatives from around the state offer a total of $20,000 in grants to fund innovative, unfunded projects or materials.  Qualifying projects are those that improve the learning environment or increase educational resources for the school and the students.  Every year, your cooperative sends grant applications to all of the schools in the 10 county service area and assists school administrators in applying for these grants.  SEIEC is proud to announce that New Simpson Hill Elementary School near Tunnel Hill received one of these statewide grants and received a $1,000 grant to fund their project.  Projects that are not selected by the Statewide are then examined by your Cooperative to be funded locally.  Lincoln Elementary School in Marion, Eldorado Elementary School and Gallatin County Elementary School were selected to receive local Touchstone Energy Grants to fund their projects as well.

Your cooperative is also participating in a statewide scholarship fund known as the Illinois Electric Cooperative Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Every year, your cooperative sends information to all of the schools in the 10 county service area with instructions on how students can apply for these six scholarships.  Scholarships are awarded based upon grade point average, college entrance test scores, work and volunteer experience, participation in school and community activities, biographical statement and knowledge of cooperatives, as demonstrated by a short essay.  SEIEC is proud to announce that a student attending Harrisburg High School, Braden Christian, was awarded one of these statewide scholarship funds.

Lastly, SouthEastern also invites all twenty three area high schools to participate in a program known as the "Youth To Washington Tour".  Students are invited to participate by writing a one page essay on the subject, "Why I would like to visit Washington D.C."  Participating schools select the best essay written by their students and forward that essay to SouthEastern for evaluation by staff personnel.  The composers of the two best essays are awarded the opportunity to participate in a one day tour of the State's capital in Springfield, Illinois and then on to a one week, expense paid tour of our Nations capital in Washington D.C.  SEIEC is proud to announce that Nick Shadownes from Johnston City High School and Ryan Flynn from Hardin County High School were awarded and have attended the "Youth To Washington Tour" in 2008.

SEIEC congratulates all of these individuals on their accomplishments and wishes them the best of luck in the future.  These are just a few examples of how your electric cooperative is striving to provide opportunities to improve conditions for local students and also providing them with unique learning opportunities.