CONGRATULATIONS
2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Homer Electric recently revamped its scholarship program to celebrate the life and legacy left by our founders, employees, and members. To celebrate our distinguished pioneers, HEA awarded scholarships to students, in each of its districts, named after influential employees and a community member that have impacted the cooperative or the Kenai Peninsula in a meaningful way. HEA’s 2023 scholarships honor Sandra Ghormley, the Hatfield men and James “Hobo Jim” Varsos.
The Sandra Ghormley Academic Excellence Scholarship honors the life and legacy of Sandra Ghormley,
who worked for HEA for 18 years as the Manager of Member Services. Sandra embodied the cooperative
spirit through her dedication to the membership with a smile, her forward thinking and innovative
mentality, and her larger-than-life personality. She was passionate about mentoring and was an inspiration
to all.
Sandra Ghormley Academic Excellence Scholarship | $1,000 Scholarship Awards
Aleea Faulkner …………………………………………………………………………………………… Cook Inlet Academy
Jessica Perry ………………………………………………………………………………………………..Nikiski High School
Anna DeVolld …………………………………………………………………………………… Connections Homeschool
Ashley Dahlman ……………………………………………………………………………………….Soldotna High School
Bristol Johnson ………………………………………………………………………………………….. Homer High School
Lliam Boss-Harmon …………………………………………………………………………………….Homer High School
The Hatfield Memorial Scholarship for the Trades is named in honor of three HEA linemen, Fred Hatfield
and his sons, Frank Hatfield, and John Hatfield. Together the Hatfield men served as linemen at HEA for a
combined 23 years. It has been said that linemen show up anywhere, anytime, in any storm and the Hatfield
men exemplified this proud legacy as linemen at HEA.
Hatfield Memorial Scholarship for the Trades | $1,000 Scholarship Awards
Zachary Halstead ……………………………………………………………………………… Kenai Central High School
Gage Kane………………………………………………………………………………………………………..River City Academy
Garrett Briscoe ……………………………………………………………………………………Connections Homeschool
The Hobo Jim Returning Student Scholarship honors a community member that has had a meaningful and
lasting impact on the Kenai Peninsula. This year’s Returning Student Scholarship honors James Varsos,
known by the stage name Hobo Jim. Hobo Jim was an Alaskan folk singer-songwriter and was one of the
most popular guitar players in Alaska, playing frequently at small venues across the Kenai Peninsula (and
Alaska) weekly until he passed. We are proud to honor his community and pioneering legacy by naming
the 2023 Returning Student Scholarship after Hobo Jim.
Hobo Jim Returning Student Scholarship | $1,000 Scholarship Awards
Kirsten Hinz ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..District 2
Brace “Levi” Rosin ………………………………………………………………………………………………………District 2
Eleanor Sweeney……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. District 3