MEDIA RELEASE FROM COAST ELECTRIC
Kiln, Miss. – Four outstanding high school juniors represented Coast Electric at the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Cooperative Leaders Workshop in Jackson, Miss., on Feb. 25 – 27. The four students representing Coast Electric in the 2026 program are:
- Natalie Crider, Biloxi High School
- Blake Henley, St. Stanislaus
- Asa Jones, St. Stanislaus
- Cadence Owen, Poplarville High School
The students joined 84 other young leaders from across the state at the three-day workshop where they sharpened their leadership skills, participated in team building activities, visited with their local senators and representatives, toured the state capitol, and enjoyed networking and fellowship.
Senators Angela Hill, Joseph Seymour and Philman Ladner, and Representatives Greg Haney, Kevin Felsher and Jay McKnight joined the students for breakfast and visited with them at the state capitol.
Natalie Crider from Biloxi High School was selected as a finalist to represent Mississippi on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council, and she earned a $500 scholarship from Cooperative Energy. In June 2026, the students will travel to Washington, D.C., to take part in NRECA’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
These students have incredibly bright futures, and we are proud to have them represent Coast Electric on the state and national levels. For more information about the Cooperative Youth Leaders program visit https://www.ecm.coop/cooperative-difference/cooperative-youth-leaders-program/. For more information about Coast Electric visit www.coastelectric.coop.