APF announces The EDGE Virtual School student Sydney Biernesser as scholarship recipient in inaugural Community Scholars Program
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Sydney Biernesser was chosen as the scholarship recipient in Coosa County in the inaugural Community Scholars Program, with just one scholarship granted in each eligible county.
Special to the News
The Alabama Power Foundation is proud to announce Sydney Biernesser of The EDGE Virtual School as a scholarship recipient in the inaugural year of its Community Scholars Program.
Biernesser will receive a one-time $2,500 scholarship for use at their community college, college, or university of choice this fall.
This fall, Biernesser will attend University of South Alabama and plans to pursue a degree in emergency medical technology.
“The Community Scholarship Program reflects our belief potential exists in every corner of Alabama,” said Alabama Power Foundation President Staci Brown Brooks. “We are proud to invest in students across our service territory whose leadership and talent will shape the future.”
The Alabama Power Foundation launched the Community Scholars Program in April 2026. The program is available to high school seniors who reside in Alabama Power’s 59-county service territory and who demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and community commitment.
One scholarship was granted in each eligible county.
The Alabama Power Foundation partnered with Scholarship America, the nation’s largest scholarship administrator, to manage this program. Scholarship America reviewed more than 1,000 applications and selected recipients based on criteria, including academic performance, leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and personal circumstances.
Biernesser, who graduated from The EDGE Virtual School in May of 2026, represents Coosa County as the scholarship recipient.
“This scholarship for me means that I’ll be able to go to the school I’ve always dreamed of going to with less financial stress,” said Biernesser. “I’m incredibly grateful and excited to begin my college journey and can’t wait to see what’s in store for me.”
The Community Scholarship Program is one way the Alabama Power Foundation supports a long-standing belief: thriving communities begin with educated, empowered young people.
Whether a student’s path leads to a four-year university, a community college, or a vocational program, this scholarship honors the full range of ways Alabamians choose to build their futures.
The scholarship application for 2026-2027 graduating seniors will open on October 12 and close on December 7.
To learn more about the Alabama Power Foundation, visit PowerOfGood.com. If you would like to know more about the Community Scholars Program, including eligibility requirements and information for the next scholarship cycle, visit its dedicated webpage on Scholarship America, located at scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/apfcommunity.
To learn more about the Community Scholars Program, visit www.powerofgood.com.
