Tenaska Virginia Partners, L.P., owner of the Tenaska Virginia Generating Station in Buckingham, has awarded a $1,000 college scholarship to a Buckingham County High School senior.

Kaitlyn Ownby, daughter of Jay and Christina Ownby, of Dillwyn, is this year’s recipient, according to a press release.

“Since 2005, Tenaska Virginia Partners has presented 18 scholarships totaling $13,000 to students at Buckingham County High School. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate good character, academic achievement and leadership to be recognized.”

“Supporting future leaders is part of Tenaska’s ongoing commitment to community,” said Robert Mayfield, plant manager at Tenaska Virginia. “Each year it is our privilege to congratulate the students of Buckingham County and especially to recognize one outstanding student with this scholarship.”

The annual scholarship program managed by Omaha, Nebraska-based Tenaska has awarded approximately $650,000 in scholarships nationwide. More than 800 students in communities where its facilities are located have benefited from the program since 2000.

“Fueled by clean-burning natural gas, the 885-megawatt Tenaska Virginia facility produces electricity for sale to Shell Energy North America (US), L.P., which markets the power in the region,” according to the press release.

In 2016, Tenaska injected more than $6.6 million in salaries and payments to contractors and vendors into the economy. “In addition to providing approximately 1,100 hours of volunteer service performed by employees and other annual contributions, the power plant has been recognized for employee involvement in school tutoring. …”