Mississippi Power awards Environmental Education Grants to local educators
Gulfport, Miss. – Mississippi Power recently recognized 59 local educators across southeast Mississippi with Environmental Education Grants for the 2025-2026 school year.
The company has awarded more than 350 grants totaling more than $225,000 over the last decade since the program’s inception. This year, nearly $30,000 in grants were presented to teachers from 45 different schools in Mississippi Power’s service area.
“Recognizing these deserving teachers is always a pleasure, especially when we see the impacts these projects make on their students year after year,” said Environmental Affairs Director Michael Harvey. “This program is truly a win/win because important education projects are funded and these hands-on lessons keep students excited about STEM subjects for years to come.”
Educators are using the grants to fund a variety of hands-on projects that focus on recycling, irrigation, gardening, composting, conservation and animal sciences. Check out the full list of recipients below.
Biloxi Public School District
Brandi Hoxie, Popp's Ferry Elementary
Michele Mitchell, Popp's Ferry Elementary
Sandy Salvage, Biloxi Jr High
Farris Everett, North Bay Elementary
His-Ling-Shi Thompson-Burnett, Gorenflo Elementary
Catholic Dioceses of Biloxi
Stephanie Gruich, Sacred Heart Elementary
Columbia School District
Danielle Whittington, Columbia High School
Gulfport School District
Melanie Davis, Pass Road Elementary
Andrea Walker, West Elementary
Katie Walker, West Elementary
Hancock County School District
Nicole Ladner, Hawk's Harbor
Stephanie Hight, Hancock Middle School
Harrison County School District
Ashlee Smith, Saucier Elementary
Rebecca Wetzel, West Wortham Elementary & Middle
Sandra Holbrook, Three Rivers Elementary
Casey Dorfner, River Oaks Elementary
Gabrielle Ramsay, D'Iberville Elementary
Ivie Taylor, Lyman Elementary
Kristina Lamey, Creekbend Elementary & Middle
Savannah Keel, Pineville Elementary
Natalie Holcomb, Creekbend Elementary & Middle School
Kelly Wallis, West Wortham Elementary & Middle
Larhonda Coppola, BelAire Elementary entry
Johnette Garcia, West Wortham Elementary & Middle
Tricia Switzer, Harrison Central HS
Haley Cochran, Harrison Central HS
Brandy Champlin, Harrison County Child Dev Center
Ashley Guice, Woolmarket Elementary
Pamela Workman, N Woolmarket Elementary
Nicole Winans, N Woolmarket Elementary
Rachel Moody, D'Iberville Middle School
Jessica Yarber, D'Iberville Middle School
Julie Slocum, Orange Grove Elementary
Hattiesburg Public School District
Della Watson, Lillie Burney Learning Center
Jackson County School District
Megan Burney, Vancleave Middle School
Crystina Moran, St. Martin North Elementary
Elaine Dent, Vancleave Middle School
Karen Ramsay, Vancleave Lower Elementary
Vanessa McKee, Vancleave Upper Elementary
Lauderdale County School District
Paige Anderson, West Lauderdale Elementary
Marie Roberts, West Lauderdale Elementary
Elizabeth Fisher, Southeast Middle School
Meridian Public School District
Gloria Price, Poplar Springs Elementary
Deyantah Curry, Crestwood Elementary
Celeste Brasher, Carver Elementary
Moss Point School District
Cynthia Harris, Moss Point Career & Technical Ed Center
James Briscoe, Moss Point Career & Technical Ed Center
Misti Stelljes, Moss Point Career & Technical Ed Center
Ocean Springs School District
Melissa Sundberg, Ocean Springs Middle School
Shanna Britt, Ocean Springs High School
Taja Cunningham, Ocean Springs Middle School
Tracey Heath, Ocean Springs Middle School
Pascagoula Gautier School District
Angie Ring, Pascagoula Career & Career Tech Institue
Cammie Balius, Gautier Middle School
Erica Wilson, Singing River Academy
Robin Thornton, Pascagoula High School
Pass Christian School District
Rosalind Cuevas, DeLisle Elementary
Petal School District
Sara Zimmer, Petal High School
Wayne County School District
Kallie Hopewell, Wayne County CTC
Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 192,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power has served its communities for more than a century and is an industry leader in safety, reliability and economic development. The Southeastern Electric Exchange recognized the company for Top Safety Performance in its generation category, and Site Selection named Mississippi Power a top utility driving economic development in the United States. For reliability, The Edison Electric Institute has recognized Mississippi Power with multiple Emergency Response Awards for outstanding storm response. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for company updates.
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