Megan Nelson, a senior in Becker High School, was honored as a recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) at its annual banquet held Nov. 16 in Duluth. 

 

Megan is the daughter of Wendy and Greg Nelson who live in Palmer Township, Megan is involved in tennis, youth group, horseback riding, camping and 4-H. She plans to pursue a science-related degree at UMD.

 

David Hann, MAT Executive Director said, “It is a privilege for the Minnesota Association of Townships to assist Megan by awarding this scholarship. Our state and nation face many challenges and we need young leaders like Megan to be prepared to take them on. We wish her great success in pursuit of her educational goals and in the future.”

 

The MAT scholarship is awarded to six students each year. It is open to all juniors attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial high school or a home study program.

 

This year students wrote an essay on the subject of Powering Our Future: Energy to Build on in Your Township, the theme of the Minnesota Association of Township’s 2018 Annual Conference. Students were asked “New energy developments are everywhere. Wind and solar farms dot the landscape. Transmission lines and pipelines traverse the countryside. 

 

Township officials are on the front line needing to respond to residents’ concerns of placement of energy projects and possible adverse health and safety issues. How can townships balance the required needs of residents for safe, reliable energy sources while responding to the health, safety, economic, and environmental concerns of their community?” 

 

The essays also needed to show a student’s knowledge and understanding of township government. Along with the essay, students were required to send a letter of recommendation as well as a commitment to get additional education at a college, university, or vocational school. This year’s winning essays appear on the MAT website.

 

The 2019 question will be released to schools in December 2018, and this year’s essays and next years’ applications will also be available on the MAT website, www.mntownships.org.

 

Hann concluded, “Congratulations, Megan, on a job well done!”