STARKVILLE — Elizabeth A. Harmon of Bailey was one of four Mississippi State University students to receive the top 18 prizes awarded in competition with collegiate writers around the South.

Harmon won third prize in formal essay at the annual competition sponsored by Southern Literary Festival. Student writers from the university were also rewarded first-place honors in the fiction and poetry categories and a second third place in fiction. Only three prizes are awarded in each category, including poetry, formal essay, informal essay, one-act play, short story and literary magazine.

Harmon is the daughter of Robert and Rebecca Harmon.



DECATUR — Fifty-seven East Central Community College students were inducted into Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, during the spring induction ceremony held on the Decatur campus.

Membership in the prestigious organization is by invitation only and requires a 3.5 grade-point average.

Inductees from the Meridian area are Kristina Moore, Enterprise; Derek Taylor, Meridian; Chris Ryals, DeKalb; Paige Posey, Charleigh Alford, Susanna Pace, Celeste Burt, Angela Boatner, Megan Winstead, DeLesa Nowell, Andy Johnson, Briana Stinson and Delynn Agee, all of Philadelphia.

Morgan Milling, Loren Kennedy, Heather Blackwell, Kim Cleveland, Jackie Thompson and Joe Buntyn, all of Union; Brittany Alexander, Little Rock; Glenda Cater, Rachael McElhenny, Amber Tyson, Kelsey Ables, Maggie McDill and Colby Amis, all of Decatur; Cynthia Boose, Russ Goodwin, Katie Clark and Bernolia Laster, all of Newton; Drew Leach, Conehatta; and Kyle Wolfe and Adam Brown, both of Lake.

Jessie Smith and Jessica Yarbrough, both of Louisville; and Kristian Drury, Chasidy Smith and Nadine Moore, all of Noxapater.



STARKVILLE — The following area students are among 30 Mississippi State University scholars included in the 2005-06 edition of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”

Meridian — Michelle L. Tucci, biochemistry/molecular biology major, the daughter of Dr. Jack and Sheryl Tucci; and Jessica A. Warren, social work major, the daughter of Scott and Ann Warren. Both are seniors.

Hickory — Felicity D. Godwin, senior general business administration major, the daughter of Cathy Godwin and Rocky Godwin.

Livingston, Ala. — Cora L. Hutchins, senior social work major.

Philadelphia — Bonnie J. Witcher, senior social work major, the daughter of Danny Watkins and Kay Hillman.

Shubuta — Patsy A. Edwards, senior social work major, the daughter of Mollie Pugh and Jerry Tillman.

Each year since 1934, the Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based organization has published a directory of the most outstanding students on the nation’s campuses. Individuals are nominated by their institutions on the basis of academic achievement, community service, leadership in extracurricular activities, and potential for continued success. They join an elite group of students from more than 2,000 institutions of higher learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several foreign countries.