Seventeen area students recently graduated from the 4-County Electric Power Association Cooperative University.
The high school juniors met at the co-op’s corporate center Nov. 5, 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 2025 Cooperative Leaders Workshop, sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, in Jackson, Feb. 26-28, 2025.
Armando Dunand, a student at New Hope High School, was the first-place winner. There was a tie for second place between Carey Beth Honnoll, a student at Starkville High School, and Bes Sumrall, a student at Caledonia High School. Hayes Carver, a student at Starkville Christian School, took home third place.
In addition to participating in the Youth Leadership Workshop, the students will travel to Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour of the Capital, June 14-20.
Other students participating in the 4-County program, selected as winners for their respective schools, were Brayden Shelton of Heritage Academy, Jane DeSantis of Oak Hill Academy, Koleigh Griffin of French Camp Academy, Benjamin Latham of Columbus High School, David Easterling of Columbus Christian Academy, Raynee Lucas of Choctaw County High School, Anna McHann of East Webster High School, Tyler Bauer of Hebron Christian School, Anthony Givens of West Lowndes High School, Danika King of Victory Christian Academy, Rebekah Schilling of Starkville Academy, Kyla Drummond of Golden Triangle Early College High School and Cloe Cox of West Point High School.
The 17 candidates competed for the opportunity to win the expense-paid trips. Nominated as the winners 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 the students were judged based on their participation in team-building programs.
Students also enjoyed a legislative panel that included: Rep. Dana McLean, Sen. Charles Younger, Sen. Bart Williams and 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 17 candidates.
“All of the candidates were outstanding. 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.
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