2026 Columbia REA Scholarship Recipients

Columbia REA is proud to recognize five local High School seniors for their exceptional accomplishments as students and their outstanding commitment to their communities.

Clark A. Brewington Academic Scholarship

The Clark A. Brewington Scholarship Program, named in memory of former Columbia REA General Manager, Clark Brewington, has been awarded to three local students living within the Columbia REA service area. This scholarship is paid in annual installments of $3,000 for four consecutive academic years, for a total of $12,000.

Lilly Haugen – Walla Walla High School
• Varsity Track and Field, Varsity soccer
• Co-Founder and VP of Girls League and Film Club
• AP Scholar with Distinction and National Honor Society
• Works with Blue Mountain Land Trust, Humane Society, Youth Climate Fellowship
• President/Treasurer, Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance
• Will attend Cal-Poly and study Biomedical Engineering

“I’m really grateful. This scholarship will go toward my tuition and like, just college life. Since my brothers and sister have gone through college, tuition keeps going up every year and it’s so expensive. So this is really helpful. Every bit helps.”

William Cranmer – Dayton High School (Valedictorian)
• VP and Treasurer of the Dayton HS Chapter, National Honor Society
• President and Treasurer of the Dayton HS Outdoor Club
• All-league baseball player, volunteer ski instructor and little league soccer coach
• Volunteer at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, Kiwanis Club, Camp Wooten, and Dayton Boosters
• Hanford Nuclear Site Hot Poetry Challenge Winner – 2025
• Plans to attend Montana State University and study Plant and Soil Science

“This scholarship definitely means a lot. It will definitely help me greatly in achieving my goals for the future. All the financial aid possible helps, and this will definitely be helpful with moving on in my education.”

Sylvia Bruce – Walla Walla High School
• Honors Scholar Athlete all four years at WaHi
• President of the Health Occupations Students of America at SEATech
• Member of the Washington Career and Technical Sports Medicine Association
• Volunteers at American Red Cross and Providence St. Mary Medical Center
• Works at Regency at the Park and the Maple Counter Café
• Will attend Gonzaga University to study Nursing

“This scholarship is pretty important to me. My parents have saved up some money, but it’s definitely going to help towards my tuition. I also want to go to graduate school, so I can use this money for my undergrad and save towards that. It’s going to be really beneficial.”

Jeff Meredith Memorial Lineworker Scholarship

The $3,000 Columbia REA Jeff Meredith Scholarship Program is named in honor of former Columbia REA lineman Jeff Meredith. This scholarship is awarded up to twice a year, and is intended to assist with continuing education opportunities for qualifying persons who are enrolled or will be enrolled in a recognized Electrical Lineworker Program.

Tucker Hamilton – Waitsburg High School
• Involved in FFA since the 8th grade
• Wants a “hands-on career that serves the public good.”
• Thrives in environments that require physical endurance, problem-solving and a commitment to safety.
• Known as a “natural leader,” someone who “stays late to get the job done” and “first to offer a helping hand.”
• Plans to attend Northwest Line School in December

“I’d just like to thank all of you, and Columbia REA, for this scholarship. You all are helping me get started toward my future. I cannot believe it. I was just so thankful that I was selected. Thank you very much.”

Colton Steinhoff – Dayton High School (Salutatorian)
• Dayton HS baseball All-league first team
• Baseball and basketball scholar athlete all four years at Dayton HS!
• Has worked alongside his dad as a contractor with line crews in the area, including Columbia REA
• Active in ASB, FFA
• Restored Grandpa’s 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 (and drives it!)
• Plans to Attend VOLTA Line School

“I was pretty excited to see that I got selected for this scholarship. It’s opening the path for me to do what I want to do. It makes it just that much easier. You know, it’s just nice…it shows that you guys care about us, and, I mean, I really appreciate it.”