Investing in the next generation is at the heart of our cooperative, and for three local students, that commitment opened the door to an unforgettable opportunity. Through the Cooperative All-Stars Sports Camp Scholarships, these students turned their dreams into reality, developing their skills and techniques while competing on the courts at two of the state’s top-ranked colleges.
For Ava Senter, that opportunity meant attending the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at NC State. “My favorite part of the camp was playing basketball all day, competing in drills and games, and improving my skills while being surrounded by other athletes,” she said. “I also enjoyed making new friends and learning from players and coaches who inspired me to keep getting better.” As a big NC State fan who loves basketball, she found this experience even more meaningful because she was able to tour the campus with her father, as he is a NC State alumnus.
While Ava’s experience took her to NC State, two additional scholarships were awarded to Caleb Ellerbe and River Bain to attend the Carolina Basketball School at UNC-Chapel Hill. For Caleb, a memorable moment from camp was being selected as one of the five to play in the dorm staff game on the college court, an experience he said he will never forget. Beyond developing his basketball skills, the camp also helped him gain a clearer vision of his future. “Being a part of this experience let me see that I want to go to college and play ball,” Caleb said.
Union Power is proud to have awarded scholarships to these three remarkable students, who have excelled academically and in extracurricular activities.
The Cooperative All-Stars Sports Camp Scholarship application will reopen on Jan. 1, 2027, to rising sixth and seventh-graders for a chance to experience the same life-changing summer as Ava, Caleb, and River.