Each year Southern Pine Electric Power Association sponsors two high school juniors from within our service area to attend both the Mississippi Youth Leadership Workshop and Washington DC Youth Tour. This program is an excellent opportunity for our youth to become acquainted with electric power associations, learn how cooperatives operate within our region and sharpen their leadership skills.

The Mississippi Youth Leadership Workshop is held in Jackson, Mississippi typically in March. The Washington DC Youth Tour is typically in June. High school principals and guidance counselors are encouraged to nominate one 11th grade student from their school-who receives electric service from Southern Pine EPA-to submit an essay on a topic selected by Southern Pine.

Warren Smith, Mia Coleman and Conner Hemphill pose with their state legislators and Southern Pine Public Relations and Marketing Manager Penny McAlpin during a breakfast at the workshop. From left are Sen. Dean Kirby and Sen. Perry Lee.

2011 Southern Pine representatives: Warren Smith of Puckett, Mia Coleman of Mendenhall and Conner Hemphill of Simpson Academy.

For more information about the Youth Leadership Program contact Mike Bryant at (601) 785-6511 extension 372, or (800) 231-5240, or Penny McAlpin at (601) 785-6511 extension 338. You may also email Mike at mbryant@spepa.com, or Penny at pmcalpin@spepa.com.