Special to the Herald

The Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative recently awarded 18 $1,000 scholarships to outstanding students from across the GVEC service area, including three from the Metrocom. The recipient selections are based on criteria that includes scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a strong desire to continue their education past high school.

Local recipients are Matthew Castriotta of Randolph High School, Kanesha Hines of Clemens High School, and Kenneth Middelstadt of Steele High School. Castriotta will attend Northwestern Preparatory Academy in Crestline, Calif. in the fall. He will return to Texas and continue the spring semester at Northeast Lakeview College with the intention of entering the U.S. Air Force Academy in the fall of 2009.

While at the Air Force Academy, Castriotta will seek a career in the engineering field. He has been involved in the Civil Air Patrol Leadership Program at Randolph High and was an advisor to the Cadet Commander. He is the son of John and Kim Castriotta of Schertz.

Hines will seek a career as a doctor of anesthesiology. She has been accepted to both Columbia University and to Duke University. While at Clemens, she has held the titles of 2008 class treasurer and National Honor Society treasurer, and was recognized as the National Outstanding Scholar.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Hines plans to attend medical school and seeks to enter the Air Force to work as a doctor in the military. She is the daughter of Gregory and Dorothy Hines of Schertz.

Middelstadt is the salutatorian of his class and plans to pursue a career in music performance and education. He has been accepted to the honors college at Texas Tech University.

During his high school career, Middelstadt has been involved with the concert and marching bands and received the Class 4A All-State percussionist award. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was awarded with the National Arion Society Award as well as the National Latin Cum Laude Award.

He has expressed his musical talents not only in the school environment, but also as a member of his church choir and music program. He is the son of Craig and Kim Middelstadt.