2 I Today in Mississippi I April 2013
Students challenged to lead now and into future How does one become a leader? What are the qualities of an effective leader? Just what defines leadership? A group of 68 Mississippi high school juniors found the answers to these and other leadership-related questions at the 27th annual Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Youth Leadership Workshop Feb. 27 - March 1 in Jackson. The hands-on workshop brought together students from schools across the state to compete in team-building exercises, meet their legislators and tour the state Capitol. “Our program emphasizes the important role our young people have in their schools and communities and the
importance of using their skills to make a difference today,” said Ron Stewart, coordinator of the statewide program. “These young people are ready and willing to serve. It’s our job to challenge them and then empower them with the appropriate resources and proper training. “We want to inspire them to believe in themselves and to use good work ethics to accomplish their goals. It also makes them realize that in order to be a good leader, you have to be a good person—including making the right decisions and doing things to benefit others,” Stewart said. The workshop offered the young people an opportunity to interact with other students likewise interested in fulfilling a leadership position and serving their community. Stewart emphasized the program is built around using the
cooperative philosophy: working together to accomplish your mission. “I am extremely proud of our 2013 participants,” Stewart said. “They are prepared and excited to serve as leaders.” Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, in a breakfast speech to the group, encouraged the students to set goals and work hard to achieve them. The students earned the expense-paid trip to the workshop in a competitive selection process sponsored by their local electric power association.
Electric Power Associations of Mississippi
YOUTH LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP Class of 2013 ALCORN COUNTY EPA Kelsey English, Walnut Faith LaFever, Corinth CENTRAL EPA Kooper Battle, Union Zach Williams, Lena COAST EPA Bailey Purvis, Poplarville Courtney Thurtell, Long Beach DIXIE EPA Emily Bedwell, Laurel Dru Elkins, Ellisville Jesse Smith, Laurel Ben Spiller, Petal EAST MISS. EPA D.K. Boydstun, Louisville Madison Bradley, Meridian
NORTH EAST MISS. EPA Kaitlyn Bishop, Abbeville Shawnda Pettis, Abbeville Aaron Watkins, Abbeville
PONTOTOC EPA Molly Hale, New Albany Annalea Munn, Randolph Elizabeth Whitten, Bruce SINGING RIVER EPA Caroline Bradley, Lucedale Victoria Cason, Richton Anna Del Castillo, Ocean Springs
MAGNOLIA EPA Garrett Smith, Sontag Ben Stroud, Meadville Carlee Welch-Dick, Summit
NORTHCENTRAL EPA Charles Cooper, Olive Branch Claudia Espinosa-Batres, Southaven Corteilous Jones, Byhalia Kaitlyn Kendall, Olive Branch Shamessia Lee, Olive Branch Kristen Lusby, Holly Springs Dustin Moore, Byhalia Luke Phillips, Olive Branch Bree Starnes, Olive Branch Walker Underwood, Byhalia
NATCHEZ TRACE EPA Nicole Baecher, Houston Steele Liles, Calhoun City
PEARL RIVER VALLEY EPA Cody Letchworth, Foxworth Mitch Strider, Sumrall
TALLAHATCHIE VALLEY EPA Whitney Hudson, Sardis Bailey Lawrence, Batesville
Da’Sha Harrington, Louisville Victoria O’Quin, Meridian Lisa Patel, Scooba Bethany Rivers, Stonewall Zach Shelly, Collinsville Kate Sprabery, Meridian Andrew Yates, Louisville 4-COUNTY EPA JeQuailia Huggins, West Point Subrina Oswalt, West Point Caden Teer, Weir Mary Paige Thrash, Columbus
SOUTHERN PINE EPA Leah Bowlin, Mendenhall Xiara Day, Brandon SOUTHWEST MISS. EPA Terry McBeth, Natchez Reagan Myers, Brookhaven
Neil Patel, Batesville Jesse Pearson, Batesville Erin Snider, Batesville TOMBIGBEE EPA Seth Dickinson, Mantachie Ryan Gillentine, Nettleton Sydney Gully, Saltillo Nataly Loague, Fulton Shelby Miller, Mooreville Jacob Pharr, Tremont Alivia Roberts, Shannon TWIN COUNTY EPA Scott Miller Jr., Greenville Charlie Yelverton, Glen Allan YAZOO VALLEY EPA Chelsea Wright, Benton
Bradley wins Leadership Award Caroline Bradley, sponsored by Singing River Electric Power Association, accepts the Youth Leadership Award from Ron Stewart, senior vice president of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. Caroline is a junior at George County High School, where she serves as junior class president and is a member of the student council. She is an active student, playing for the varsity soccer and fastpitch softball teams. She attends First United Methodist Church of Lucedale. Caroline is the daughter of Kevin and Jaye Bradley of Lucedale. She will serve a one-year term as Mississippi’s representative on the national Youth Leadership Council of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The award includes a $1,000 scholarship.