• Rhonda Denton, a teacher of the Gifted at Poplar Springs Elementary, has received a Lucile Cornetet Individual Award for professional development from The Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation.

This award will enable Rhonda to attend the 32nd Annual University of Connecticut Confratute-Summer Institute on Enrichment Learning and Teaching, July 19-24. Denton has previously attended Confratute and found the conference to be inspiring and cutting edge research in gifted education.

• OXFORD – Nicole Burton of Meridian graduated magna cum laude, with a bachelor of arts degree in English and a minor in biology, from the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College during commencement exercises held May 8, 2009, at the University of Mississippi.

While attending Ole Miss, Burton was one of two students selected to be profiled for a year for inclusion in the University of Mississippi Viewbook, “My life as a Freshman.” The publication is used to recruit students throughout the country.

While attending Ole Miss, Burton was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Society, and Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. Additionally, she attended the university on a Barksdale Honors Scholarship.

Burton is a 2005 highest honors graduate of Meridian High School. She is the daughter of Carl and Shirley Burton. Burton plans to continue her education.

• David E. Thomas has been selected to receive the Richard F. Riley, M.D. Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $2,000 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Mary Ann Bonney Riley. Dr. Riley is remembered as a prominent surgeon and co-owner of F.G. Riley Memorial Hospital. He and his brother, Dr. William G. Riley, are responsible for founding The Riley Foundation.

Thomas is a 2006 graduate of Newton County High School. He will be entering the third semester of the Associate Degree Nursing Program this fall. A Dean’s List scholar, Thomas is a member of the Organization of Students Nurses and Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. He is an Eagle Scout. His goal is pursue a bachelor of science degree in nursing and then take specialized training to become a nurse anesthetist.

• Nicole Jovonna Brady has been selected to receive the Charles L. Young Sr. Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This award is funded by the MCC Foundation. Mr. Young served as Mississippi State Representative for District 82. He is remembered as a successful businessman, an astute politician, and a true public servant.

Brady is a 2008 graduate of Northeast Lauderdale High School. She has been accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program and will begin classes in the fall. A Dean’s List scholar, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. Her plans are to pursue a bachelor of science degree in Nursing and work in neonatal care.

• LIVINGSTON, Ala.— Leigha M. Barnard of Meridian was recently awarded a $30,000 Trustees Scholarship to attend the University of West Alabama. This award, which is based on academic achievement and proven leadership potential, comes from the UWA Office of Admissions.

A Southeast Lauderdale High School graduate, Barnard plans to major in mathematics. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Barnard.

• Raymond E. Hudnell of Kemper County, a senior pre-med student at Mississippi State University in Starkville, was accepted into the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Internship program in the Office of Policy and Program Development, located in Washington, DC.

This internship position provides a unique opportunity for students to gain job experience and learn more about the different offices and functions of the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) within the USDA. Furthermore, this program will mentor and cultivate young leaders of today and tomorrow thus forge a brighter future for the youth of our country. The summer internship program will run from June to August.

Hudnell was also recently awarded a scholarship with the Federal Asian-Pacific American Council (FAPAC), a premier employee organization, founded in 1985, representing the Asian Pacific American (APA) employees of the Federal and District of Columbia governments. The FAPAC scholars are selected based on their current outstanding academic achievements. The scholarship award included the participation of Hudnell in the annual FAPAC conference that was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Houston, Texas, in May. The focus of the conference is on career opportunities and advancement providing sessions on military and civilian careers in the Federal government through workshops and agency exhibits. The conference served as a meeting place where conference attendees can interact with other Asian-Pacific Americans throughout the Federal government for new ideas, opportunities and learn new skills for adapting to the changing world.

Hudnell is a graduate of Kemper Academy, Class of 2006, and was salutatorian of his graduating class. He was on the President’s and Dean’s list at Meridian Community College and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for his outstanding academic achievements. Hudnell is the son of Raymond and Bernadette Hudnell of DeKalb.

• Wallace Justin Lucky has been selected to receive the Howard Barnett Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $755 award is funded by Ann Hall Barnett of New Orleans. Mr. Barnett, a former resident of Meridian, was a strong advocate for education and a generous benefactor to the College. He established the Barnett All-America City Scholarship Endowment. Since 1994, the endowment has paid more than $78,000 toward scholarships for city of Meridian employees.

Lucky is a 2009 graduate of the Meridian Christian Home School Educators. An Eagle Scout, he is a member of the 4-H Honor Club, a 4-H All Star, and a 4-H Leadership Team member. Lucky has been a junior assistant scoutmaster, Lauderdale County Relay for Life participant since 2005, and president of the Center Hill Obadiah 4-H Club. His plans are to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

• Terica Ariele Smith has been selected to receive the Charles Armstrong Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $900 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the Meridian Kiwanis Club to honor Armstrong’s 27 years with the Meridian Public School System. He is remembered as a teacher, coach, administrator and especially as a mentor.

Smith is a 2009 graduate of Meridian High School. She was a member of the Wise Cats, Anchor Club, Spanish Club, and Health Occupation Students of America. Smith was named to the National Honor Society. This fall she will be taking courses in preparation for the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Her career goal is to become a nurse practitioner.

• Danny Ware has been selected to receive the Edward Jones Scholarship at Meridian Community College. This $600 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from donations received at the annual Edward Jones Fashion and Finance Luncheon.

Ware, 46, is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program. A Dean’s List scholar, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. Ware is a member of the MCC Multi-Culture Council. He is working toward acceptance into the nursing program, after which he will continue to pursue his ultimate goal of a medical degree.

• Allison Claire Blaine of Meridian has recently been recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization at Mississippi State University.

Sigma Alpha Lambda is a national leadership and honors organization dedicated to promoting and rewarding academic achievement and providing members with opportunities for community service, personal development and lifelong professional fulfillment.

Blaine is a junior majoring in business/marketing. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Blaine is the daughter of Billy and Julie Blaine of Meridian.

• Curt Pouncey has been appointed as headmaster of Heidelberg Academy in Heidelberg.

Pouncey comes to the academy after his retirement from the public schools of Mississippi and Alabama, having served in the Enterprise School District and Meridian Public School District, as well as Harselle City and Choctaw County Alabama school districts.

• Kenneth Dustin Markham of Meridian made the Dean’s List in his fifth term of study at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a graduate of Jackson State University and Meridian High School. He is the son of Robert and Ann Markham.

• Allyshondria Lee is the recipient of the Lewis, Hanible, Trussell Memorial Scholarship.

Presented annually to a deserving high school graduate of Lauderdale County, the $1,000 award is an endowment from Eddie S. O’Neal, William Bartlett, professor of Sacred Rhetoric, Emeritus, Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, Ma.

Lee received an additional award of $1,000 from Bishop Al Lewis, interim pastor of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Lee is the daughter of Kip Hodges and Lisa Lee.

• Glenda Barrett of Decatur received a Certificate of Appreciation for serving as an alternate delegate in the House of Delegates at the National School Board Association Conference in San Diego, Calif. Barrett also was one of five people from across the United States to serve as sergeant of arms while the House of Delegates was in session. Barrett serves as president of the Newton County School Board.