OXFORD – The following area students were listed on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll at the University of Mississippi for the Spring 2010 semester: 

    Leigh Taylor Wamble, Collinsville; Mary Lela Valentine and Heather Leigh Hasselle, both of Marion; James Cornelius Griffin, Kasey LaShea Joyner, Christopher Drew Edwards,Tiffany Leigh-Ann Smith, Kaley Brooke Hull, Joseph Anthony Doolittle, Elizabeth Adrian Page, Ashley Elizabeth Jolly, Connor Thompson Covert, Taylor Rae Thompson, Meredith Leigh Wilson, Alexandra Anne Phillips, Patrick Ian Stubbs, Chad William Bounds, Robert Arrington Coffin, James Steven Stewart, Daniel Robert Huntley and Emily Teresa’ Roland, all of Meridian; and Ashley Lynn Brown of Toomsuba

    A grade-point average of from 3.75 through 4.00 is required of full-time students carrying at least 12 semester hours for listing on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll.

    • OXFORD – The following area students were listed on the Dean’s Honor Roll at the University of Mississippi for the Spring 2010 semester:

    Kendra Juliane Schneider, Collinsville; and Matthew Brian Butler, Leslie Claire Gaddis, Lucas Hillman Wilson, Dane Quinton Skinner, Mary McCall White, Allison Leigh Lucovich and William Thornton Fuchs, all of Meridian,

    A grade-point average of from 3.5 through 3.74 is required of full-time students carrying at least 12 semester hours for listing on the Dean’s Honor Roll.

    • HATTIESBURG – Hope Simone Ferguson of Meridian graduated with highest honors and received her bachelor of science degree in nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi commencement exercises in May.

    Ferguson is the daughter of Eustace and Rita Ferguson of Meridian.

    • SCOOBA – Andrew Dearman of Collinsville was among 11 Funeral Service Technology students at East Mississippi Community College who participated  in May commencement exercises at Keyes C. Currie Coliseum on the Scooba campus. 

    Dearman  graduated with honors. Following graduation ceremonies, he was pinned by his mother, Kathy Dearman, with the Sigma Phi Sigma “Mortuary Crest” Pin presented to all FST graduates. Additionally, the “President’s Plaque” was presented to Dearman as a symbol of appreciation for his service to the Sigma Phi Sigma fraternity for the 2009-10 term.

    A native of Laurel, Dearman is a graduate of West Lauderdale High School. He enrolled in the Funeral Service Technology program at East Mississippi Community College in 2008 and excelled as a student while enrolled in the FST program. 

    During his second semester, Dearman was inducted into the Eta Ussilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international society for community college students. At the conclusion of his second semester, he was elected by his fellow funeral service students as president of the Mu Chapter of Sigma Phi Sigma for the 2009-10 term.

    Prior to graduation, Dearman successfully sat for the National Board Examination. Upon completing of a funeral service residency in the state where he chooses to be licensed, he will be eligible to license to practice embalming and funeral directing.

    Dearman is currently associated with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in Meridian, where he is serving his Mississippi Funeral Service residency.

    Dearman is the son of Reggie and Kathy Dearman of Collinsville.

    • LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Two local students were recently awarded Trustees Scholarships to attend the University of West Alabama. These awards, which are based on academic achievement and proven leadership potential, come from the UWA Office of Admissions.

    John M. Mathis of Meridian, a Meridian Community College transfer student, plans to major in marine biology. At MCC, the military veteran was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Future Educators of America, Baptist Student Union, Wesley Campus Ministries, and the President’s List.

    Drew Wilson of Little Rock, an East Central Community College transfer student, plans to major in sports management.

    • BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech scholar James A. King of Meridian was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2010 semester. King is a senior majoring in natural resources conservation in the College of Natural Resources.

    To qualify for the dean’s list, students must attempt at least 12 credit hours graded on the A-F option and earn a 3.4 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during the semester.

    • Sarah Abigail Scarbrough has been selected to receive the Lucile Reisman Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.  This $2,500 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by I. A. Rosenbaum. Mrs. Rosenbaum was a World War II veteran, a board member of the National Girl Scouts of USA, and a Meridian School Board member of long standing. She led the drive to restore the Dentzel Carousel in Highland Park and establish an endowment to maintain the historic facility.

    Scarbrough is a 2008 highest honors graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School. A Dean’s and President’s List scholar, she recently completed the University Transfer Program at Meridian Community College. Scarbrough was a member of the MCC Lady Eagles Soccer Team and served as secretary of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students.  Her plans are to pursue a master’s degree in mathematics at Mississippi State University and teach on the college level.

    • Haley Elizabeth Semmes has been selected to receive the Robert Cochran Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

    This $600 award is funded through the MCC Foundation by the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Clarence Roberts. Lieutenant Cochran, Mrs. Roberts’ brother, was killed in Vietnam while on active duty with the United States Navy. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.

    Semmes is a 2008 highest honors graduate of Meridian High School. A President’s and Dean’s List scholar, she recently completed the University Transfer Program at MCC. Semmes was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. She received the Sue Key Math Award and the H.M. Ivy Award (highest student recognition). Semmes will begin her pursuit of a master’s degree in math from Mississippi State University this fall.  As a career choice, she is considering teaching math at the college level.

    • CHICAGO, Ill. – Sarah M. Mitchell of Meridian recently graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University with a bachelor of science degree in biology. To graduate summa cum laude, a student must have a grade point average of 3.85 or higher.

    Mitchell will begin at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago in August. She hopes to pursue a career in pediatric cardiology.

    Mitchell is the daughter of Jeff and Lynn Mitchell of Meridian.

    • The student body at Neshoba Central High School elected Lee Smith as the 2009-10 “Teacher of the Year.” Smith teaches English I and English IA.

    • Katelyn Lee was selected to participate in the 2010 session of the Mississippi Governor’s School. 

    The Governor’s School is a residential honors program established in 1981 by Governor William F. Winter at Mississippi University for Women. The Governor’s School is designed to provide academic, creative, and leadership experiences for a limited number of rising high school juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement in their studies and who show high intellectual, creative, and leadership potential.

    During her participation in this program, Katelyn won the award for Superior Creative and Critical Thinking. A junior at Northeast Lauderdale High School, she has received the Lott Leadership Rising Ninth Grade Scholar award; named to the Superintendent’s List; and received numerous Outstanding Student of the Year awards in Mississippi studies, biology, ninth grade honors English, geography and world history.

    In July, she is also participating as a 2010 StarTalk Scholar at the University of Mississippi where she is learning Chinese. Katelyn plans to pursue a degree in foreign languages and international studies.

    Her additional community activities include Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church youth group, Cambiata Singers, Pat Gray Academy Showcase Dance Company, Meridian Gymnastics Team, and Meridian Elite All Star Cheerleaders.

    Katelyn plans is the daughter of Marty and Eva Lee of Bailey.

    • David Jackson, a 2010 graduate of West Lauderdale High School, is the recipient of the Hannible, Lewis, Trussell Memorial Scholarship.

    The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a deserving student. It was established by the Rev. Eddie S. O’Neal, a former pastor of Pine Groves Missionary Baptist Church.

    Jackson will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham for the fall term. He is the son of James and Stephanie Steele of Collinsville.

    • Neshoba Central Elementary School TAG students Zoie Henson and Molly Davis participated in the ECTAG Creative Writing Competition. Students chose to write a short story, essay or poems.

    Zoie won third place for her essay “Being a Gymnast.” Molly won third place for her short story “The Pestering Sparrow.”