STEM grants boost Gibson Electric schools

A large, colorful display on the lobby wall at Friendship Elementary School puts a playful twist on a classic sci-fi catchphrase:

“Take me to your readers.”

Throughout the 2024-25 school year, veteran teacher Ashlee Hall tracked students’ reading progress by moving their spaceships through the galaxy to show their word count gains. At the top of the display, the final star was reserved for travelers who read one million words.

Hall is the school’s Save the Children reading ambassador. Save the Children provides grant funding for training and resources to help schools accelerate literacy growth.

“This is an incredibly beneficial program,” Hall said. “Every student can make gains because the data provided through the testing pinpoints comprehension skills that need work. That’s my focus.”

In 2024-2025, 59 Friendship students in first through fifth grade participated in the program through Accelerated Reader (AR) testing. They read 13,507,854 words, up from 10 million words in 2023-2024.

All students are tested at the beginning of the year to determine eligibility. Hall works with them in groups of four to five, using books and book studies to help them strengthen specific focus skills and raise their reading levels. She also works with kindergarten and first grade students on early comprehension skills.

This isn’t a reading intervention program but a proactive approach to building literacy. A fourth grader may be reading at grade level, but testing reveals a gap in a skill typically learned in second grade. Hall targets that skill to help students stay on track – or ahead – as they move through school.

With Hall’s guidance, students set their own reading goals, choosing books based on their reading level and interests. Along the way, they earn rewards and develop a love for reading. Save the Children donors provide the incentives, which include books, toys, games and more. In three years, Save the Children has given 7,500 free books to Friendship students.

Family engagement and community involvement are also important components of the literacy program. 

“A love for reading really begins in the early years at home and is nurtured throughout our lives,” she said. “That’s why I pour so much effort into activities that promote reading at home and community and school events that show how much fun reading is.”

Two other Crockett County School District schools – Gadsden Elementary and Maury City Elementary – receive Save the School grant funding. Although district leaders agree that the program works, the grant is not guaranteed beyond 2025-2026.

“When you’ve been [teaching] as long as I have and you see what works, you hate to even think about [the program] not being here,” Hall says. “We are always looking for sponsors and donors to partner with us to support this avenue of student learning.”

Learn more at savethechildren.org.

Working at a cooperative fits Gibson Electric Engineering Assistant Sandy Collins to a T.

“She is the epitome of the word [cooperative],” said Emily Sullivan, a longtime friend and former colleague.

Collins was recently honored – and surprised – with the Administrative Professional of the Year Award at the Greater Gibson County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Administrative Professionals’ Luncheon.

“I didn’t know I was nominated,” Collins said. “I was just there for the fellowship. [The award] was a total surprise.”

Sullivan, who retired from Gibson Electric in 2023, nominated Collins for the award and described her as a “smart and versatile team player” with “such a sweet and humble spirit.”

Collins joined Gibson Electric as a dispatcher in 1989 and moved to a member service representative position a year later. After 17 years in member services, she was promoted to engineering assistant. She is celebrating her 36^th work anniversary this month.

Collins’ job requires collaboration and cooperation. She works closely with Gibson Electric engineers and lineworkers to manage job prints and ensure crews have what they need to complete each project.

“I love working with the crews and the engineers,” Collins said. “I enjoy helping people.”

A native of Rutherford and a Gibson County High School alumna, Collins discovered she had a talent for and enjoyed clerical work while attending vocational-technical school at Newbern. She worked six years in manufacturing before getting her shot at Gibson Electric.

“I’ve felt comfortable here since the day I started,” she said. “This has been a good, stable job, and the many friendships have kept me here.”

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, father, three children and six grandchildren. She is an active member of Salem Baptist Church in Trenton and lives in Dyer.

“Sandy is one of those people who makes everything run more smoothly,” said Gibson Electric Vice President of Engineering and Operations Barry Smith. “We rely on her support, organization and steady presence to keep our team on track. Her recognition as the chamber’s administrative professional of the year is well deserved.”

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation recently welcomed several new employees.

Engineering Intern Josiah Tingley, Seventh-Period Apprentice Lineworkers Hayden French, and Jonathon Keeling, Apprentice Lineworker Baker Osborn and Technical Support Representative Jimmy Bailey joined the team in May.

Tingley is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. A native of Memphis, Tingley was a decorated football player at Evangelical Christian School in Cordova and has continued his playing career as an offensive lineman at UT Martin.

“Josiah is eager to learn, and we’re excited to see him contribute to our cooperative’s success,” said Gibson Electric Vice President of Technical Services Charles Phillips.

French is a native of Henry County with seven years of experience in the field. He most recently worked at Trenton Light & Water. He and his wife Shaelynn live in Milan with their three sons, ages 6, 3 and 5 months. He joins the Trenton member service team.

Keeling lives in Elbridge in Obion County and joins the Troy member service team. He also has seven years of experience as a lineworker, most recently at Cruse Power Line Construction, LLC. Keeling and his wife Amber have a son, 10, a daughter, 6, and three dogs.

Osbourn is from Tipton County and previously worked at Forked Deer Electric Cooperative for three years. His dad is a lineworker and inspired him to pursue the same career path. Osbourn lives in Halls and joins our Alamo member service team. He and his fiancée, Lexie, plan to marry this fall.

“We’re confident Hayden, Jonathon and Baker will be excellent additions to our teams in Trenton, Troy and Alamo and will help us continue delivering reliable service to our member-owners,” said Gibson Electric Vice President of Engineering and Operations Barry Smith. “Their experience strengthens our ability to respond efficiently, maintain our system and meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

Bailey is a Jackson native and graduate of Liberty Technology Magnet High School. He has a strong background in technical support and customer service, having worked as a Geek Squad field agent for Best Buy for three years. He and his wife Kacee live in Jackson.

“Jimmy’s knowledge, experience and personality make him a great addition to our team,” Phillips said. “He will provide excellent service to our subscribers.”

When outdoor temperatures rise, air conditioners work harder and run longer, causing a noticeable increase in electricity use. Add to that the fact that many people use electricity at the same times—mornings and early evenings—and the demand on our electric grid goes up even more.

At Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, we partner with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), our generation and transmission provider, to ensure you have reliable power every time you flip a switch. But our electric grid is part of a much larger system that extends beyond Gibson Electric and even TVA.

During the summer, when demand for electricity spikes across the country, especially during prolonged heat waves, it’s possible for demand to exceed supply. While rare, TVA may ask consumers to temporarily reduce energy use or implement rolling power outages to protect the grid. If that happens, Gibson Electric and TVA will keep you informed every step of the way.

We work proactively with TVA to strengthen our portion of the grid through regular maintenance, system upgrades and disaster response planning. But keeping the grid reliable takes all of us.

To help keep the air conditioner running for your family and neighbors, consider these tips during extreme heat:

Raise your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting. The closer it is to the outdoor temperature, the less energy your cooling system uses.

Use major appliances like dishwashers, ovens and dryers during off-peak hours.

Turn on ceiling fans to feel cooler—but turn them off when you leave the room.

Close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day to reduce indoor heat.

Cook with smaller appliances like air fryers, slow cookers or toaster ovens.

By making small changes during high-demand periods, you can lower your electric bill and help maintain a strong, reliable grid, keeping our communities cool, connected and prepared.

An intensive training program in Rutherford is giving youth the tools needed to pursue a career in firefighting while helping fire departments address dire staffing concerns.

Gathered to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Rutherford Junior Firefighter Program, 30 students stood shoulder-to-shoulder with leader Jessica Rudd, Rutherford Fire Department Recruiting and Retention Officer. “We could start our own fire department,” Rudd joked while proudly eyeing her cadets.

However, Rudd’s motivation to start the program was no joke. According to the National Fire Protection Association, America is facing a shortage of 222,000 volunteer firefighters while the population has increased 40% since 1984 and emergency calls have tripled. According to FEMA, which maintains the National Fire Department Registry, of the active firefighting personnel listed, 52% are volunteer firefighters. That number is 74% in Tennessee and 70% in Kentucky. Reporting to the registry is voluntary, but 91% of all U.S. fire departments are listed.

“When you’re having one of the worst days of your life, it will be a volunteer who will drop what they’re doing to come help you,” said Rutherford Fire Chief John Stafford.

Junior fire programs provide high school students with basic firefighting training to prepare them for jobs in the fire service once they turn 18. Rutherford started with 10 students. In just one year, five students have graduated, enrollment has tripled, and there is a waiting list with 20 students.

Classes include hose training, extrication training, search and rescue, agility course, hydrant/drafting training, fire tools/equipment training, one-minute drills, SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) training and more. Rudd works with other area fire departments to ensure students receive as much training as possible.

As they progress through the program, junior firefighters respond to firefighting calls and work on the scene. Rutherford junior firefighters are not allowed to fight interior attacks when a building is on fire. On exterior fires, they can hand over tools and hit hotspots after the fire has been extinguished.

“Going to fire calls is the best thing ever,” said Nathan Griggs, a junior at Gibson County High School.

Griggs’ experience in the program is common. The students’ passion has reignited Rudd’s love for the fire service.

“They make me want to be better,” she said. “They have the excitement and drive to be the best they can be and to help people. That’s what this job is all about.”

The junior firefighters can further their training to become emergency medical responders or emergency medical technicians. Gibson Electric Membership Corporation and CoBank provided matching funds to award the Rutherford Junior Firefighter Program with a $5,000 CoBank Sharing Success grant in October 2024 to help pay for a live burn training experience, EMR training, EMT school, equipment and t-shirts.

“Youth programs are important to our cooperative, and we’re thrilled to see what these young people are doing in Rutherford,” said Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker. “They’re not only setting themselves up for successful careers; they’re meeting a need in our communities. We’re grateful to Jessica, Chief Stafford and all the firefighters working with the program for passing on their knowledge and passion for service with the next generation.”

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation is proud to sponsor six local students on the annual Washington Youth Tour, an unforgettable expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 14-20.

Claire Evans, Crockett County; Brian Robertson, Gibson County; Catelyn Ripley, Lake County; Reese Ulen, Obion County; Sophia Harding, Kentucky; and Jaxon Vredingburgh, At-Large; will join peers from electric cooperatives across the country on a six-day trip organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and sponsored by Gibson Electric and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association (TECA).

To be eligible for Washington Youth Tour, high school juniors submit a short story of 900 words or less explaining how co-ops are “Energizing Every Moment” by providing communities with energy, education, broadband, economic development and more.

Vredingburgh penned the winning story for Gibson Electric. His submission will be judged at the state level where the top three winners will receive scholarships of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

“Jaxon’s short story is required reading for anyone new to the cooperative model,” said Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker. “He does a great job explaining how electric co-ops energize our members and communities. We’re happy to have Jaxon, Claire, Brian, Catelyn, Reese and Sophia representing Gibson Electric on this year’s tour. They will come back home energized and eager to serve their communities.”

Every student who participates in the short story writing contest for Gibson Electric is entered into a drawing for five $500 scholarships. Names were drawn at the co-op’s annual meeting held in March, and winners are Cam Pankey, Crockett County; Chandler Milan, Gibson County; Paige Owens-Teague, Lake County; Julianna Northam, Obion County; and Emma Allen, At-Large.

For more information on Washington Youth Tour, visit https://www.tnelectric.org/youthtour/ or call Gibson Electric at 731-855-4660 ext. 1615.

You probably have a good reason for wanting to take on a do-it-yourself home project. From saving money to customizing specifications to your liking, it’s easy to see why homeowners are eager to roll up their sleeves and do the work themselves.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation encourages homeowners to keep safety in mind when tackling these types of projects. Dangerous situations can easily arise without proper safety precautions and understanding of the work involved.

When it comes to home electrical projects, here are some safety reminders:

• Learn about your home electrical system so it’s easier to navigate and maintain it safely.
• Stay away from a project that is beyond your level of skill. You can help prevent tragedies by calling a professional.
• Be sure to turn off the power to the circuit you plan to work on by turning off the circuit breaker in your main service panel.
• Unplug any lamp or appliance before you start working on it.
• Test the wires before you touch them to ensure the power is turned off.
• Avoid touching plumbing or gas pipes when doing your electrical project.

“Many homeowners lack the real knowledge or experience to safely take on some projects around the house,” said Gibson Electric Safety Coordinator Jon Jones. “They should use extreme caution and thorough planning. If it feels like a project is beyond your skill or comfort level, leave it to a professional.”

By Jaxon Vredingburgh

Jaxon is a junior at Peabody High School. His short story is the overall winner in our 2025 Cooperative Writing Contest. Jaxon’s story has been submitted at the state level. This year’s theme is Energizing Every Moment.

In the heart of West Tennessee, two friends, Dean and Sam, set off on an adventure to uncover the story of electric cooperatives. It was a crisp January morning, and they’d heard about these cooperatives energizing their communities in ways far beyond just providing power. Curious and eager to learn, they ventured to a small rural town near Jackson, Tennessee.

“Alright, Sam,” Dean said, adjusting his jacket as they walked through a quiet street lined with old brick buildings. “I’ve been hearing a lot about electric co-ops around here. What’s the big deal? I mean, they’re just electric companies, right?”

Sam grinned. “Oh, they’re a lot more than that. These co-ops are different. They’re run by the people they serve, not shareholders. Every decision is made for the community, not a distant corporate office.”

Dean raised an eyebrow. “Sounds interesting. But how does that even work? How are these places different from, say, a regular utility?”

Sam led the way down a narrow road towards a building with a modest sign that read “Green River Electric Cooperative.” “Let me show you. This is where it all begins. You’ll see what makes these co-ops unique.”

Inside the cooperative, they met Jessica, a friendly employee who had worked there for years. She gave them a tour of the facility, explaining the core principles behind the electric co-ops. “One principle we take very seriously,” she said, “is autonomy and independence.” We make our own decisions, independent of big corporations. This allows us to focus on what’s best for our members here in West Tennessee.”

Jessica continues to explain, “Tennessee’s electric cooperatives provide power to more than 3 million Tennesseans. Unlike other businesses, electric cooperatives are owned by the consumers they serve and operate as not-for-profit businesses. This might not sound important, but it means that consumers are the priority. Rates are kept low because there are no stockholders to pay, and the co-op is responsive to members because they vote on co-op leadership.”

“I keep on seeing all of these “TECA” signs everywhere, what are they?” Dean asked.

Jessica replies, “TECA is the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. It is a trade association established to serve the needs of Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. The association represents 23 individual power distributors including Tennessee’s 22 electric cooperatives and one municipal system. TECA exists to provide leadership, advocacy and support to unify and empower Tennessee’s consumer-owned electric co-ops. The association empowers cooperatives to improve everyday life for their consumer-owners through the reliable delivery of safe and affordable energy and the advancement of Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities.”

Dean replies, “Doesn’t this also affect our rural communities throughout the world?”

“You’re correct, it does,” Jessica agrees. “Our modern education, healthcare and commerce all depend on access to the internet. When broadband is unavailable, too slow or too expensive, the impacts can be profound with jobs and capital investment located elsewhere, students falling behind their urban peers and existing businesses missing out on opportunities to sell their goods and services. To support the growing technology and communication needs of modern power grids, many co-ops already operate internal fiber optic networks that reach deep into rural Tennessee. Co-ops have a legacy of expanding critical infrastructure beyond the city limits. A generation ago, the issue was electricity. Today, it is broadband.”

“Wasn’t there a president associated with all of this?” Sam asked.

“Yes! On May 18th, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act which created a federal agency to provide river navigation, flood control, electric generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley,” Jessica said. “He also created the Rural Electrification Administration, which made federal funds available to provide rural electric service. Existing power companies expressed little interest, so the leaders of farm organizations proposed the formation of nonprofit electric cooperatives.”

“What does all of this mean?” Dean asked.

“Well, the co-ops represent people all across Tennessee, but it’s not just about keeping the lights on. They advocate for policies that protect rural communities, run leadership programs for students and even offer grants for economic development,” Sam replied.

“That’s pretty cool. I figured they just handled the business side of electricity, but it sounds like they’re involved in supporting local communities,” Dean stated.

Each year, Gibson Electric Membership Corporation sponsors two Tennessee students on the Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, and two Kentucky students on the Frankfort Youth Tour.

This year’s Tennessee delegates were juniors Seth LaRue, Dyer County High School, and Madee Arflack, Peabody High School, and the Kentucky delegates were juniors Sydney Todd and Ella Gilbert, Carlile County High School.

Youth Leadership Summit

During their stay in Nashville, LaRue, Arflack and 44 of their peers representing electric co-ops from across the state participated in leadership development activities and learned more about what co-ops do for their communities. Students visited the YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagan for team building and a scavenger hunt. While there, they also participated in electric safety demonstrations.

At the state Capitol, students met with their representatives, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Gov. Bill Lee. The summit also included some Nashville classics like the Goo Goo Cluster Store and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and delegates attended an Andy Grammer concert at the historic Ryman.

“I was uncertain what I was getting into, but it genuinely was a great experience to get to learn about electric co-ops and hang out with people that have similar hobbies and aspirations as me,” LaRue said.

“It taught me so much about teamwork, connecting with others and leading with heart,” Arflack said. “I left feeling inspired to make a difference and to always support those around me.”

Frankfort Youth Tour

Nearly 100 students representing Kentucky’s electric co-ops participated in the Frankfort Youth Tour, a program that offers student leaders a personal understanding of American history, civic engagement and their role as citizens and members of electric co-ops.

Lt. Gov. Jacquline Coleman welcomed students to the Capitol and encouraged them to find their passion and get involved in their communities. After touring the Capitol, students observed the Senate and House chambers while they were in session. Later, East Kentucky Power Cooperative provided bucket truck and safety demonstrations.

During lunch hosted by the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour delegation and the Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus, students met with elected officials and co-op leaders. For the 10^th consecutive year, in conjunction with the Frankfort Youth Tour, Kentucky’s co-ops partnered with Secretary of State Michael Adams to launch the 2025 Co-ops Vote initiative, a nonpartisan effort to boost voter turnout in rural communities across the country.

“Getting to meet and hear the political figures was something I’ll never forget,” Gilbert said. “It opened my eyes to what really goes on in our government.”

“I enjoyed sitting in the House gallery and the tour,” Todd said. “I thought it was fascinating.”

Gibson Electric Member Services Specialist Sarah Williams chaperoned the students on both trips.

Three schools served by Gibson Electric Membership Corporation – Bells Elementary School, Dyer School and South Gibson County High School – have been awarded STEM grants from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in March.

TVA, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., a TVA retiree organization, provides grants to develop science, technology, engineering, and math education programs for students that will inspire interest in STEM-related fields. The organizations have awarded nearly $8 million in STEM grants since 2018.

Citing specific projects or programs they hoped to implement, educators from across TVA’s seven-state region applied for grants of up to $5,000. Bells Elementary and Dyer each received $5,000, and South Gibson County High School received $3,500.

“We are grateful for TVA and Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. for their continued investment in STEM education,” said Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker. “We celebrate with Bells Elementary, Dyer School and South Gibson County High School because the impact of the grants will extend far beyond the classroom. We appreciate our teachers for exposing our students to the diverse career opportunities available in STEM.”

For information on how to apply for a future STEM grant, please contact Gibson Electric at 731-855-4660, ext.1611.