Jeremy Vanderloo, (center) vice president, business operations and strategy, Entergy Mississippi; congratulates 2026 Community Power Scholarship recipients, (l-r) Slade Lyons, Natnail Stackler, Haleigh Hilton, Madison Spencer, Taryn Lusby, Casen Easterling; at the scholarship luncheon held recently in Jackson.
High school graduates from Entergy’s four-state service area are getting a boost in pursuing their college and career goals with $5,000 scholarships from the company’s Community Power Scholarship program.
This year, the 2026 scholarship recipients include seven exceptional Mississippi students and children of Entergy employees who excel in the classroom and beyond, making a significant contribution to their communities by volunteering and serving in leadership roles in both school and extra-curricular activities.
“Service to our communities is central to who we are at Entergy, and it’s inspiring to honor students who embody that commitment through their leadership and academic excellence,” said Jeremy Vanderloo, vice president of business operations and strategy. “Our Community Power Scholarship program celebrates their achievements and supports them as they advance toward their college and career plans.”
The 2026 Entergy Community Power Scholarship recipients from Mississippi include:
- Halaina Diaz, Madison
- The daughter of Gerardo Diaz, Halaina Diaz served as Corps Commander of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp and was named Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet of the Year. She is a National Merit Semifinalist. She plans to study health sciences at the University of Toronto.
- Casen Easterling, Wesson
- Named to the All A Honor Roll, Easterling was a member of the Beta Club and the State Champion Men’s Golf Team. He is the son of Shane and Leigh Easterling and plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College, majoring in mechanical engineering.
- Haleigh Hilton, Flora
- Hilton plans to pursue radiological science studies at East Central Community College.
- Taryn Lusby, Vicksburg
- The daughter of Jimbo and Jennifer Lusby, Taryn Lusby served as captain of the soccer, basketball and cheer teams, receiving numerous honor in all three sports. A member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Key Club, she was elected homecoming queen and received the Service Award, 4.0+ Award and St. Michael’s College Award. She served as treasurer for the Student Government Association. She plans to major in biology at the University of Mississippi.
- Slade Lyons, Vicksburg
- A member of the football team, Lyons served as president of the Key Club and participated in quiz bowl and the Chess Club. He received the 4.0 Award. The son of Allen and Lee Anna Lyons, he plans to attend Mississippi College and major in biochemistry.
- Madison Spencer, Vicksburg
- A member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Key Club, Madison Spencer maintained a 4.0 grade point average and received the Coach Howard Park Servant-Leader Award and the Silver Service Award with 181 volunteer hours. She received the varsity softball MVP Offensive Player Award and will continue playing softball at Hinds Community College, where she will major in engineering. She is the daughter of Meredith and Carolyn Spencer.
- Natnail Stackler, Clinton
- A founding member of the state’s only men’s high school competition pop a cappella group, Natnail Stackler is a member of the 2025 Mississippi American Choral Directors Association All-State Honor Choir. The son of William and Amy Stackler, he plans to continue competing in musical competitions as a member of an a cappella group at Pearl River Community College, where he will major in communications in pursuit of a career in sports media.
The seven Mississippi students join 27 other recipients from across Entergy’s four-state service area.
For more than 20 years, Entergy’s Community Power Scholarship program has provided more than $3.8 million in financial assistance to over 770 children of the company’s employees, aiding them in covering their education costs.
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