Progress Continues As MLConnect Makes Repairs

High School expanding biology studies with new lab equipment

(March 23, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Hickman County High School teacher Logan Campbell was recognized on March 6 for receiving a $5,000 STEM grant from TVA to purchase lab equipment to study biology and aquaponics.

Pictured from left to right: TVA North Region Customer Relations Manager Christopher Smith, MLEC District Manager Matt Chessor, Campbell and TVA Government and Community Relations Manager LaKevia Perry.

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Local Students Represent MLEC at Statewide Leadership SummitLewis and Perry County juniors gain hands-on experience in Nashville

(March 23, 2026 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s commitment to local students continues by sponsoring two high school juniors to attend the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit.

Perry County High School junior Landon Warren and Lewis County High School junior Andie Starcher joined other high school juniors from across the state in Nashville for the three-day conference March 16-18. They received a hands-on look at state government, learned networking and leadership skills, and developed a better understanding of their local electric cooperatives. MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong served as chaperone.

“These students will soon be our community leaders and electric cooperative member-owners,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We want them to share our passion for their hometowns, so it is an honor for MLEC to help prepare them for the opportunities that are ahead. The future of our rural communities depends on a generation of strong leaders like these.”

While in Nashville, delegates visited the State Capitol Building and met State Representatives Kirk Haston and Jody Barrett. They also were greeted by Governor Bill Lee and participated in a mock legislative session in the Senate chambers.

In addition to meeting lawmakers and experiencing the state Capital, students also developed their leadership and team-building skills at the Joe C. Davis YMCA Outdoor Center at Camp Widjiwagen and completed a leadership training course with leadership expert Amy Gallimore. Delegates also attended the Grand Ole Opry, visited the GooGoo store and toured the Country Music Hall of Fame.

(Pictured from left to right: MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong, Lewis County High School junior Andie Starcher and Perry County High School junior Landon Warren.)

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MLEC sponsors members to attend annual leadership conference

(February 27, 2026 ) – Meriwether Lewis members Jimmy and Holly Kruegar, along with their son Jacob, proudly represented MLEC at the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives’ Young Leaders Conference, held February 20–21 at the Drury Hotel in Franklin.

Pictured from left to right: Jacob, Holly and Jimmy Kruegar, MLEC District Manager Matt Chessor.

The conference is a collaborative effort between the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives, the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers organization. Together, these groups invest in the next generation by providing education, inspiration and connection opportunities for emerging leaders across the state.

Through keynote presentations, interactive sessions and networking opportunities, attendees gain a deeper understanding of the cooperative business model, and the important role electric cooperatives play in serving rural communities.

The Kruegars returned home equipped with new ideas, insights and meaningful connections to grow their community and help meet the challenges of the future.

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MLEC hosts basketball halftime event to support local senior classes

(February 27, 2026) — Meriwether Lewis showed its support for local high school senior classes by hosting a basketball halftime relay called “Every Shot Matters.” The competition came to Perry County High School on Friday night, where Perry County Senior Rhyder Sellers made a layup, a free throw and a 3-pointer before the buzzer. By winning the timed event, he earned a $500 donation to the class of 2026.

 Pictured from left to right: Perry County High School Senior Rhyder Sellers and MLEC Member Services Representative Amy White.

MLEC also donated mini basketballs and koozies to the Perry County High School concessions stand as a part of the event.

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MLEC hosts basketball halftime event to support local senior classes

(February 13, 2026 – Erin, TN) — Meriwether Lewis showed its support for local high school senior classes by hosting a basketball halftime relay called “Every Shot Matters.” The competition came to Houston County High School Tuesday night where Houston County Senior Preston Mitchell faced off against McEwen High School Senior Ben McPherson to see who could make a layup, free throw and 3-pointer first. Mitchell finished the relay first earning a $500 donation to the class of 2026. McEwen received $250 for participating in the event.

Pictured from left to right: Houston County High School students Preston Mitchell and Jaxson Welsh, MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong and McEwen High School students Ben McPherson and Braisyn March.

MLEC also donated mini basketballs to each school and koozies to the Houston County High School concessions stand as a part of the event.

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MLEC hosts basketball halftime event to support local senior classes

(February 13, 2026 – Waverly, TN) — Meriwether Lewis showed their support for local high school senior classes across their service area by hosting a basketball halftime relay called “Every Shot Matters.” The competition came to Waverly Central High School Tuesday night where student Chris Ballard made a layup, free throw and 3-pointer before the buzzer. By winning the timed event, he earned a $500 donation to the class of 2026.

Pictured from left to right: Waverly Central High School student Chris Ballard and MLEC Member Services Manager Vanessa Clayborn.

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MLEC hosts basketball halftime event to support local senior classes

(February 13, 2026) — Meriwether Lewis showed its support for local high school senior classes by hosting a basketball halftime relay called “Every Shot Matters.” The competition came to East Hickman Middle School Monday night where East Hickman High School student Chandler Crowell faced off against Lewis County High School student Caiden Miller to see who could make a layup, free throw and 3-pointer first. Crowell finished the relay first earning a $500 donation to the class of 2026. Lewis County received $250 for participating in the event.

Pictured from left to right: East Hickman High School student Chandler Crowell, MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong and Lewis County High School student Caiden Miller.

MLEC also donated mini basketballs to each school and koozies to the East Hickman High School concessions stand as a part of the event.