Emma Williams of New Hope High School was selected as one of four winners in 4-County Electric Power Association’s Cooperative University contest.
Sixteen of the best and brightest young leaders our state has to offer recently graduated from the prestigious 4-County Electric Power Association Cooperative University.
The high school juniors met at the co-op’s corporate center Nov. 4, vying for the opportunity to become 4-County Youth Tour delegates – representing the co-op on local, state and national levels.
The program is an annual series of interviews and team building exercises. Four high school juniors were selected to represent the cooperative as Youth Tour delegates at the 2026 Cooperative Leaders Workshop, sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, in Jackson, February 2026.
Williams joins fellow teammates Reagan Kilgore of Houston High School, Ginger Ford of Homeschool Program and Katelyn Hammett of Starkville Academy as 4-County delegates for 2025-2026.
In addition to participating in the Youth Leadership Workshop, they will travel to Washington, D.C., next June for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour of the Capital.
Other students participating in the 4-County program, selected to compete in the program for their respective schools, were Laila Woods of Choctaw County High School, Hank Baucom of Heritage Academy, Taylor Kate Lindsey of Columbus Christian Academy, Deyonte Lanier of Columbus High School, Amber Ivy of Golden Triangle Early College High School, Anna Elliott of Hebron Christian School, Taylor Smith of Oak Hill Academy, Brooklyn Rhodes of Starkville High School, Alex Taylor of Victory Christian Academy, Madison Jackson of West Lowndes High School, Zachary Kinsey of West Point High School and Jamirah Morgan of Caledonia High School.
The 16 candidates competed for the opportunity to win the expense-paid trips. Nominated as the winner for his or her high school, each student completed an application reflecting school and extracurricular activities. A panel of three judges affiliated with the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi interviewed each of the students, and they were judged based on their participation in team-building programs.
Students also enjoyed a legislative panel that included District 39 Rep. Dana McLean, District 32 Sen. Rod Hickman and District 37 Rep. Andy Boyd. Engineers from the Tennessee Valley Authority discussed electric generation, and 4-County linemen presented a hot line demonstration.
Brad Barr, 4-County’s Youth Tour coordinator, applauded the efforts of all 16 candidates.
“All of the candidates were outstanding,” Barr said. “We can definitely look forward to a bright future if these young leaders are any indication. I believe they are. They were strong representatives of their families and schools,” Barr said.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
