Cypress Creek Energy announced that a student from Carbon County has been selected to receive a 2026 Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship award, which recognizes students’ academic achievement, leadership potential and commitment to shaping the future of their communities.

Ian Walck, a Jim Thorpe Area High School student, received a one-time $2,500 scholarship to support tuition, housing, books and other educational expenses associated with postsecondary education.

As part of the application process, the students were asked to submit a short video responding to the question, “How does renewable energy affect your future?”

“The future of our industry, our communities and our country will be shaped by young people like these students,” said Kevin Smith, CEO of Cypress Creek Energy. “One of the most rewarding parts of this program is seeing the talent, ambition and creativity that exists in the communities where we operate. We’re proud to support these students as they take the next step in their education and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in the years ahead.”

The Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship program was launched in 2023 to positively impact young people in the communities where Cypress Creek develops and operates solar and battery storage projects, as well as to encourage students to consider careers in energy or other STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields.

Since its launch, Cypress Creek has awarded 207 scholarships totaling $343,500 to students in 50 municipalities nationwide.