Southern Pioneer Electric Scholarship Application Now Open

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Southern Pioneer Electric is accepting applications for its 2023 scholarship contest. $22,000 in scholarships will be given out to students within Southern Pioneer’s service territory. To be considered for a scholarship, students must meet the criteria outlined within Southern Pioneer Electric’s scholarship application:

  • Students must attend high school, be a 2023 spring graduate and reside within the district of one of the schools within our service territory. Eligible schools include: Ashland, Cunningham, Kiowa County, Kiowa South Barber, Liberal, Medicine Lodge, Minneola, Satanta, Skyline, South Central, Southwestern Heights, and Sublette.
  • Complete the application on the cooperative’s website .
  • Submit a one-page resume stating future plans, activities the student participated in, accomplishments, honors, community involvement and employment. Please do not include references.
  • Submit a seventh-semester transcript (official or certified copy) from the student’s high school. Transcripts may be mailed to Southern Pioneer at:

Southern Pioneer Electric Scholarship Program
c/o Ruby Terrazas
PO Box 1177
Liberal, KS 67901

Transcripts may also be emailed by a staff member of the student’s school to rterrazas@southernpioneer.net

  • A brief, five to ten sentence, paragraph detailing why the student would be a good recipient of the scholarship. Space for the paragraph is available within the application.

Students must submit their application no later than 12 P.M. on March 9, 2023 to be considered for this year’s scholarships. Questions about Southern Pioneer Electric’s scholarship program and the 2023 application may be directed to Ruby Terrazas, energy services coordinator by calling 1 (800) 670-4381 or emailing rterrazas@southernpioneer.net.

Southern Pioneer Electric Awards Liberal Recreation $10,000 H.U.G.S. Grant

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Southern Pioneer Electric H.U.G.S. team members met with representatives of the Liberal Recreation Department on Monday, Jan. 23, to present a $10,000 Helping Us Give to Society (H.U.G.S.) grant. Liberal Recreation. Travis Martinez, Assistant Director, says the grant will fund the new Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program.

“We started the program in 2022 and had great success,” said Martinez, “with the help of the H.U.G.S. grant, we’ll be able to improve the program and better serve our special needs community in Liberal and the surrounding areas.”

Martinez said The Adaptive Sports Program, will give adults and students the opportunity to participate in sports and events like stretching, t-ball, volleyball, dancing and more. The program will also focus on encouraging participants to stay mobile and fit through exercise.

“The Liberal Recreation Department is working hard to ensure that all members of the Liberal community, and those around us, can lead an active and healthy lifestyle,” said Ruby Terrazas, Southern Pioneer energy services coordinator and H.U.G.S team member. “We hope this grant will go a long way towards helping them continue to do so.”

Use Space Heaters Safely

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Electric space heaters can help warm a room quickly. However, they can be as dangerous as convenient if used improperly. Safe Electricity urges everyone in the home to understand the importance of using space heaters safely:

  • Purchase only space heaters that have been safety tested and UL-approved. Make sure the unit has an emergency tip-over shut-off feature and heating element guards. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation and care.
  • Before using a space heater, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition.
  • Make sure the heater is clean and in good condition.
  • Place the heater out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, non-flammable floor surface.
  • Space heaters have one purpose —to provide supplemental heating. Never use them to thaw pipes, cook food, or dry clothing or towels.
  • Remember to keep space heaters at least three feet from combustible liquids, like fuel, spray cans, and paint, and flammable items such as draperies, blankets, and sofas.
  • Never allow pets or children near an electric heater. Accidental contact could cause serious shock or burns.
  • Do not overload circuits. Never use extension cords or multiple plugs with a space heater and make sure not to plug the unit into the same circuit as other electric appliances.
  • If your space heater is plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and it trips, don’t assume there is something wrong with the GFCI. Immediately stop using the heater until a professional can check it— if not, a serious shock could occur.
  • Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn off your space heater and unplug it before leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Replace older space heaters with newer, safer models.