AMP Awards Scholarships to 2026 Graduating High School Seniors

COLUMBUS, OH: American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the AMP Scholarships Program.

The AMP Board of Trustees established the scholarships program in memory of Richard H. Gorsuch and Lyle B. Wright, public power leaders who contributed significantly to the organization and municipal electric systems throughout the region.

The 2026 Gorsuch Scholarship recipients are:

• Jake Koverman — Anna High School, Minster; parents, Benjamin and Katy Koverman
  • Benjamin Koverman, Senior Lineworker
• Emily Marino — Niles McKinley High School, Niles; parents, Eric and Vicki Marino
  • Eric Marino, Electrical Equipment Tech
• Mya Porter — Coldwater High School, Coldwater; parents, Todd and Samantha Porter
  • Todd Porter, Service Electrician
• Preston Serr — Jackson Center High School, Jackson Center; parents, Garrett and Meghan Serr
  • Meghan Serr, Utility Clerk
• Cheyenne Swisher — Arcanum High School, Arcanum; parents, James and Julie Miller
  • Julie Miller, Administrative Specialist

The 2026 Wright Scholarship recipients are:

• Julia Barnett — Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green; parents, Michael and Rachel Barnett
• Jacob Howard — Tunstall High School, Danville; parent, Kati Hall
• Emma Merlo — Niles McKinley High School, Niles; parents Giovanne and Monica Merlo
• Kenneth Smeltzer — Montpelier Exempted Village Schools, Montpelier; parents, Eric and Kendra Smeltzer
• Corinne York — Jackson Center High School, Jackson Center; parents, Allen and Melanie York

“Congratulations to these students on their impressive achievements,” said Jolene Thompson, AMP President/CEO. “For more than 30 years, AMP’s Scholarships Program has promoted the advantages of public power communities while supporting students as they continue their education and consider careers in public power.”

Lyle B. Wright was a strong public power advocate who served on the AMP Board of Trustees from 1979 until his death in 1986. The $3,000 Wright scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors whose households receive electricity from an AMP Member community. This year, 32 students were nominated for the Wright Scholarship; five recipients were selected based on their scholastic records, personal achievements and scores on a public power test.

Richard H. Gorsuch, who was dedicated to promoting the advantages of municipally owned electric systems, served as the organization’s president from 1983 until his death in 1987. The $3,000 scholarships in this program are awarded to graduating seniors whose parent or guardian is an employee of either a municipal electric system or AMP, or who is an elected official with responsibility for the electric system. This year, 21 students were nominated for the Gorsuch Scholarship; five recipients were selected based on their scholastic records, personal achievements and scores on a public power test.

Since 1988, AMP has awarded $558,000 through the AMP Scholarships Program. For more information about the program, click here.