Contact: NOVEC Communications, , communications@novec.com
MANASSAS, Va. – For 2026, the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) increased its high school senior scholarships from $1,500 to $2,000 and awarded 13 scholarships to students across its service territory. An independent panel of judges evaluated students based on academic records, community involvement, demonstrated leadership, and recommendations.
Vaibhav Dwaraka, graduate of John Champe High School in Loudoun County, received an additional $5,000 as the winner of the J. Manley Garber Scholarship. This award is named for the late NOVEC Board of Directors chairman and is granted to the top student amongst all received applications. Dwaraka served as a delegate at NRECA Youth Tour representing NOVEC and Virginia in 2024 and 2025.
Other Northern Virginia scholarship recipients are: 
Wyatt Atwell, Brentsville District High School in Prince William County
Molly Baker, Kettle Run High School in Fauquier County
Ethan Brower, Centreville High School in Fairfax County
Bree Chandler, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School in Prince William County
Emerson Golden, Kettle Run High School in Fauquier County
Jill Jansen, Brentsville District High School in Prince William County
Prisca Kim, Centreville High School in Fairfax County
Alexandra Patton, Kettle Run High School in Fauquier County
Lily Poag, Loudoun Valley High School in Loudoun County
Audrey Schlieter, Trinity Christian School in Fairfax County
Anushka Thammineni, Lightridge High School in Loudoun County
Eliza Tribie, Manassas Park High School in the City of Manassas Park
A $1,500 scholarship was also presented to Dannon Talbott Garber of Halifax County High School in South Boston, where NOVEC operates its biomass electric generating facility. He intends to continue his education at Piedmont Community College in Roxbury, North Carolina.
5 Local Students Earn VMDAEC Scholarships
The Education Scholarship Foundation of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) awarded $165,000 in college scholarships for the 2025-26 school year.
VMDAEC awarded scholarships to 92 students, including five in NOVEC’s service territory. The NOVEC students who earned a combined total of $10,500 in scholarships are:
James Anderson of Centreville High School in Fairfax County
Ty Beyer of Freedom High School in Loudoun County
Jana Qura of Covenant Christian Academy in Fauquier County
Anuj Ramesh of Loudoun County High School in Loudoun County
Julia Wallschlaeger Homeschooled
