Bay Springs, MS (February 06, 2026) – TEC, a leading rural broadband provider, is proud to announce Emma Harper as the recipient of the prestigious D.L. Fail Memorial Scholarship. This annual scholarship is awarded to two outstanding high school senior each year.  

Emma is a senior at Stringer High School and an outstanding student leader who has been actively involved in numerous extracurriculars, including Student Council President (4 years), Senior Beta Club, HOSA, Diamond Girls, Stringer Junior Chamber of Commerce, Bay Springs Mayor’s Youth Council, Jasper County 4-H, and the Mississippi Junior Cattlemen’s Association. 

Emma has earned Subject Area Awards in Algebra II, AP Calculus, Dual Credit College Algebra, English I, Grade Results Marketing, Health Science Core, Resource Management, and Lifelong Learning, and she has been recognized as a Superintendent’s List Student. Her additional honors and awards include induction into the Stringer Attendance Center Hall of Fame, two-time HOSA District Winner, MHSAA Scholar Athlete, HOBY Leadership Ambassador, Rural Medical & Science Scholar, and acceptance into the Mississippi State University Shackouls Honors College. 

Emma plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal and Dairy Science. Following her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Mississippi State University, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine specializing in large animal medicine.  

Read Emma's essay below.

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP  

The scholarship’s purpose is to encourage young citizens to pursue higher education, establish life goals, and use their success to serve their community. We also hope to make young adults more aware of the positive attributes of their communities and the benefits of returning to their hometowns after college. Two scholarships, totaling $5,000 in tuition monies, are awarded annually in conjunction with MACS, the Mississippi Affordable College Savings Program to two high school students in TEC’s Mississippi residential service area. The winning submission will receive $3,000, and the 2nd place submission will receive $2,000. Both scholarships can be used to pay tuition and related expenses at any college or university of the student’s choice. 

ABOUT TEC 

TEC provides economic stability to its local service areas, employing more than 200 people across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana. TEC has invested in and maintains approximately 4,000 miles of fiber in its rural markets. For over a century, TEC has been a forerunner in providing telecommunications services to rural America and was the first to bring internet options to many rural markets more than 20 years ago. For more information, visit www.TEC.com or find us on social media under the handle, @TECconnects.