Fruitdale High School Principal Dr. Alfred Taylor joins Electric Cooperative Foundation scholarship recipient, Dustin Odom and his parents, Tammy and James Odom of Fruitdale, at the school's awards program.

Electric Cooperative Foundation awards $1,000 scholarship to Dustin Odom who is attending Troy University this fall majoring in chemistry.

July 2007 | Alabama Living

This summer college bound high school graduates are preparing for the fall semester as they attendfreshmen orientations and register for classes.

Dustin Odom of Fruitdale High School is such an individual. He graduated with the class of 2007 in May and is soon to take a giant step as he attends Troy University this fall. When he lands, his parents, Tammy and James Odom of Fruitdale, can breathe a little easier thanks to a $1,000 scholarship awarded to Dustin by the Electric Cooperative Foundation and Clarke-Washington EMC.

Dustin has an impressive resume filled with volunteer experience, athleticism, academic achievement and leadership: Beta club president, student council vice president, senior class reporter and co-editor on the journalism staff.

He was a member of the Fruitdale High School football and basketball team. Dustin was captain of the basketball team for three out of the four years he was on the team, and selected as an All-County basketball player.

Other activities include the drama club, Future Farmers of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He is Who’s Who Among American High School Students and Who’s Who Among American High School Athletes. Odom represented Fruitdale last summer as he attended Boys State in Montgomery and the Ciba Chemistry Institute for two weeks in New York City. He attended the Alabama Rural Electric Association’s Montgomery Youth Tour in March, where he represented Clarke-Washington EMC among other rural electric cooperatives in Alabama.

Outside of school Dustin is the Sunday school treasurer, helps with Summer Reading programs, and participates in clean-up days for his church and the local library.

He has maintained a 4.0 GPA while being involved in his school and his community.

The Electric Cooperative Foundation, Inc. was created by the electric cooperatives of Alabama in 1997. Their mission is to give back to the communities they serve by providing scholarships for qualifying high school seniors. The sole decisions as to whom is to receive the scholarship is determined by the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

This scholarship committee looks for well-rounded students in each rural electric cooperative. One scholarship for $1,000 is awarded annually to the student who shows leadership, hard work ethics and a sense of pride for their community.

Scholarship applications are available beginning in January at the offices of Clarke-Washington EMC in Jackson and Chatom High school seniors in Clarke County, Washington County and surrounding areas who are customer-members of Clarke-Washington EMC are eligible for the scholarship.