Since 2003, the family of Lynette Mayatt Odom has sponsored a scholarship in Odom’s name, recognizing an outstanding senior at West Lauderdale High School.

Odom, who died of cancer in 1999 at the young age of 29, leaving behind three small children, was a kindergarten teacher at West Lauderdale. The scholarship was created by Odom’s family to honor students who shared her characteristics – motivation, integrity, originality.

This year, for the first time, one of Odom’s former kindergarten students, Sara Fitzgerald, will receive the $500 scholarship.

“Sara just loved Lynette,” said Odom’s aunt and scholarship organizer Nettie Mayatt, “and Lynette just loved her.”

Ftizgerald, who is this year’s Miss West Lauderdale and has just been selected as a Mississippi State University cheerleader, won the scholarship by writing an essay about the special bond between herself and Odom and the strong influence Odom left with her.

The recipient of the scholarship is selected each year by a faculty committee, which consists of teachers that knew Odom. The scholarship is funded by contributions from the community and from Odom’s family. Anyone wishing to make a contribution may send it to Rayvene McDonald, Lauderdale County School System, P.O. Box 5498, Meridian, Miss., 39302.