The Jay A. York Scholarship was established in recognition of the first Minnesotan to head the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Jay York was a prominent figure in rural electric cooperative issues for nearly 30 years. He was elected in 1964 to the Nobles Cooperative Electric board. Mr. York was not only well-known for his great leadership ability but also great dignity, a disarming understanding of the issues, and an unyielding dedication to his fellow rural Americans.

This year eleven cooperatives participated in the scholarship in honor of Jay. They were: Dakota Electric Association, East Central Energy, East River Electric Power Co-op, Federated Rural Electric Association, Nobles Cooperative Electric, People’s Cooperative Services, Redwood Electric Cooperative, Renville-Sibley Cooperative Power Association, Sioux Valley Energy, Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, and Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association. From these eleven cooperatives, four winners were randomly selected. They were Clint Birtzer (Dakota Electric), Erik Chouinard (East Central), Kyle DeLay (East River), and Zachary Leebens (Nobles).

Clint Birtzer took advantage of the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program at Inver Hills Community College during his junior and senior years in high school. He is attending his last year at Inver Hills and next year will transfer to the University of Minnesota to study Journalism. Along with writing, Clint enjoys music and plays his guitar in a Bluegrass band. He is the 2009 and 2011 Minnesota State Flat-picking Guitar Champion.

Erik Chouinard is a 2010 graduate of North Branch Area High School. He attended his first year of college at Itasca Community College where he participated in football and made the Dean’s list. This year Erik will graduate with a two year Associate of Arts degree from Anoka Ramsey Community College. His plans are to continue his education at Minnesota State University.

Kyle DeLay is a 2011 graduate of Beresford High School. His future plans include attending the University of South Dakota to eventually become a dentist or doctor.

Zachary Leebens graduated from Murray County Central High School in May 2011. He is studying criminal justice with an emphasis on forensic science at the Colorado Technical University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Each winner receives a $300 scholarship that is made available from the participating cooperatives.