Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette From left are Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance scholarship recipients Olivia Erickson, Lynn Greenhoe, Dane Sirvio, Rylie Anderson, Blade Warren, Jade Junkin, Cale Antilla, Trevor Nankervis and Preston Smith.

HANCOCK — Nine high school seniors in the Copper Country received $1,000 scholarships to trade programs this month as part of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) scholarship.

Started in 2013, the scholarship fund has raised more than $35,000 and supported 45 students going on to post-high school education certificate, one-year and two-year degree programs, said KEDA Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe.

It began in response to the effect of the state educational policies on vocational and techincal education training programs in the Keweenaw.

Addressing the technical education gap in the Copper Country has happened through the efforts of local schools, the Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) and the support of local businesses, Ratcliffe said.

“The passage of the career technical education millage and the ISD’s development of training infrastructure finally gives the Copper Country a solid, non-university prep education program that is a huge benefit to our community and its economy,” he said.

Receiving scholarships were:

• Preston Smith, Baraga High School, studying criminal justice and law enforcement at Gogebic Community College (GCC).

• Cale Antilla, Calumet HIgh School, studying welding at Northern Michigan University (NMU).

• Blade Warren, Chassell Township High School, studying in the lineman program at NMU.

• Dane Sirvio, Dollar Bay High School, studying criminal justice and law enforcement at GCC.

• Olivia Erickson, Hancock Central High School, studying pre-nursing at GCC.

• Lynn Greenhoe, Houghton High School, studying in the baking and pastry program at Baker College in Port Huron, Michigan.

• Rylie Anderson, Jeffers High School, studying cosmetology at NMU.

• Jade Junkin, Lake Linden-Hubbell High School, studying to be a physical therapy assistant at Finlandia University.

• Trevor Nankervis, L’Anse, studying in the lineman program at NMU.

Smith said the scholarship would help him in his plans to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“It just fits my personality, plus I think it’s fun,” he said.

Greenhoe said she’s always had a passion for cooking and baking, which helps he explore her creative side.

“It feels really great,” Greenhoe said of the scholarship. “Every single dollar helps, and it’ll be put to good use in the future.”