509Fiber Presents:

Future Innovator’s Scholarship

Open for 2024-2025 Submissions!

509Fiber is excited to announce their first annual Future Innovators Scholarship Competition!

All high school seniors in the Chelan, Douglas, and Grant Counties may submit a project or proposal related to improving community connectivity. You may submit your project as an individual or as part of a team!

A winner (or winning team) will be chosen from each of the 3 counties and will earn a $300 scholarship as well as mentorship opportunities with the 509Fiber team!

Project Categories

Below is a list of project categories and ideas to help you get you thinking about the project YOU would like to design. You do not need to pick a project that falls under one of these categories, design something that speaks to you and is the most applicable to your community!

  • Is there an app that could improve how your community connects? How might people use this app? Who would benefit from it?

  • What can be done in your area to improve internet, cell phone, or TV streaming connection? How would that get done and how much would it cost? Get specific!

  • How might local internet service providers do a better job of reaching out to those who are often left out or overlooked? How can the digital world be more inclusive?

  • How can we better use technology to improve agricultural production? Could technology be a way to improve sustainability?

Registration Process

  1. The first step is to let us know you’re interested. Submit your name, contact information, and a general project idea at the form below. This must be completed by December 31, 2024. This will allow us to send you more information about the competition and upcoming dates. Please note that at this stage of the competition, you don’t need to have designed a project, even a one-sentence description of your idea is sufficient.

  2. Design your project! Your submission should be in a slideshow format (5-10 slides) and include the following points:

    1. An introduction to YOU: What’s your name? Where are you from and what high school do you attend? What are your goals with this project? What are your plans after high school?

    2. A description of the project: What is the general idea for your innovative project? Why did you choose this project?

    3. Feasibility: How would this project be done? How would it be funded? Who would be the one to carry it out?

    4. Community Impact: How would this impact your community? How does this meet 509Fiber’s goal of improving community connectivity?

  3. Submit your slideshow presentation to sophia@509fiber.com no later than March 1, 2025.

  4. You will have an opportunity to present your project to members of the 509Fiber team and potentially other competitors. More details to come about this presentation!