Riley Mitcham, a May graduate of Breakthrough Charter School, has been named Perry County’s recipient in the inaugural year of the Alabama Power Foundation’s Community Scholars Program.
Mitcham will receive a one-time $2,500 scholarship and will attend the University of South Alabama this fall to pursue a degree in marine sciences.
“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 foundation launched the Community Scholars Program in April. It is open to high school seniors who live in Alabama Power’s 59-county service territory and who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and community commitment, with one scholarship granted in each eligible county.
The foundation partnered with Scholarship America, the nation’s largest scholarship administrator, to manage the program. Scholarship America reviewed more than 1,000 applications and selected recipients on criteria including academic performance, leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and personal circumstances.
“I am so grateful for this recognition of my accomplishments thus far,” Mitcham said. “The financial support to help me achieve my future goals at the University of South Alabama is a blessing that I will not take for granted. Thank you sincerely for this opportunity and your support of students all over Alabama.”
The application for 2026-2027 graduating seniors will open October 12 and close December 7. More information is available at PowerOfGood.com and through Scholarship America.
