Kemper County scholarship recipients graduate

Mississippi Power’s Tamara Proctor couldn’t be prouder as she watched Jasmine Granger and Hellenthal Ash both walk across the stage and receive their bachelor’s degrees this past week. She met them through the Kemper County Scholars Program and served as their mentor throughout their college experience.

In 2010, Mississippi Power and the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy began a new program for Kemper County students that would award deserving high school graduates scholarships for college. Over the next three years, six students received fully paid, four-year scholarships to a Mississippi college or university of their choice. Granger and Ash participated in the program and were two of the scholarship recipients.

In addition to granting the scholarships, AABE worked with Kemper High School students to introduce them to career opportunities in energy and provided guidance on applying for college, scholarships and financial aid.

“It is so rewarding to see these students complete their studies and move forward into this important phase of their lives,” said Proctor, AABE Kemper County Scholarship committee chairman. “It makes us feel good to know that the work we put into the Kemper County Scholars Program truly made an impact and gave them the opportunity to attend college and find a career.”

Granger attended Jackson State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She plans to continue her studies in graduate school. Hellenthal received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering Technology and Business.

Eric Pickett, Gulf Power senior engineer and AABE Gulf Coast Chapter president, said the program was a collaboration between Mississippi Power and the Gulf Coast chapter of AABE. The goal was to bring value to the Kemper community and through mentorship, help students find opportunities available to them in their area.

“This is a great example of the value AABE brings to this industry, the companies we work for and the communities we live in. Tamara and several other members worked closely with these students over the years and were an integral part of their career development,” said Pickett.