Yiqing Ye of Mt. Pleasant, is the recipient of the 2025 R.D. Bennett Community Service Scholarship presented by The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, the trade association for South Carolina’s independent, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.  The $5,000 college scholarship is presented to a S.C. high school student who completes a community service project that best exemplifies the cooperative principle of “concern for community.”

Josie McCotter of Simpsonville was selected as runner-up and will receive a $2,500 college scholarship.

Ye, 17, won the grand prize for his project, “Fundraising and volunteer initiative for Landmarks for Families." Ye raised more than $2,300 for Landmarks For Families, an organization founded in 1790 as the Charleston Orphan House—the first publicly funded orphanage in the U.S. The group supports more than 800 children and families each year by providing shelter for at-risk youth, education for parents, and services to reunite and strengthen families.

“The most rewarding part of being a leader was witnessing the change we created firsthand,” said Ye. Seeing how our work directly supported family programs while also showing others the power of youth-led initiatives made the experience especially meaningful.”

McCotter, also 17, received $2,500 for her project, "Leavening Agents for Literacy.” McCotter raised $1,500 to purchase sensory and mathematic supplies for a special education program at Welcome Elementary in Greenville. She sold gluten-free and allergy sensitive baking mixes. She also baked and sold cookies to raise funds.

“Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of leading my team was reaching the goal,” said McCotter. “Visiting the school, meeting the teachers and seeing some of the students made the work all worthwhile. This project gave my summer a real purpose.”

Both students completed projects after attending the electric co-ops’ annual Washington Youth Tour program—which sends rising high school seniors to Washington, D.C., for a week each summer. A total of 71 students from across South Carolina attended the trip.

Ye represented Berkeley Electric Cooperative on the trip while McCotter was a representative from Laurens Electric Cooperative.

Ye's final project report and video can be viewed here.

McCotter's final project report and photos can be viewed here.