• BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Andrew Havron of Meridian received his doctor of dental medicine degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Dentistry during graduation exercises on June 1. He will begin a residency program for specialty training in orthodontics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in July.

    During his tenure at UAB, Havron was a student member of the American Dental Association, American Student Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association and the American Dental Political Action Committee. In addition, he participated in the planning and execution of yearly dental screenings sponsored by the UAB School of Dentistry at the Alabama Special Olympics, which is held annually on the campus of Troy University in Troy, Ala. He was one of 10 senior dental students selected to participate in the Japanese International Exchange Program.

    Havron was on the School of Dentistry’s Dean’s List each of his three years at UAB.

    Havron is a 2009 graduate of Auburn University and a 2005 graduate of Meridian High School. He is the son of Ray and Lorraine Havron of Meridian.

    • JACKSON – David Kells Parker of Meridian graduated magna cum laude with a juris doctorate degree from Mississippi College School of Law in May.

    While attending law school, Parker served as editor-in-chief of the Mississippi College Law Review a student-edited journal that publishes legal scholarships for jurists nationwide. He was also named a Hearin Scholar and competed in multiple trial and appellate advocacy competitions.

    Parker is a graduate of Mississippi College in Clinton and West Lauderdale High School. He is the son of Kells and Ginny Parker of Meridian.

    • OXFORD – Samra Ward of Meridian is among 153 students recently initiated into the University of Mississippi’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the university’s highest academic honor across all disciplines. The induction ceremony was held at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.

    Ward is a junior French and psychology major in the College of Liberal Arts. She is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and recipient of a McDonnell Barksdale Scholarship. She received the Lynda Shea Study Abroad Fellowship, Millington Award and Academic Excellence Scholarship. She is a member of Mortar Board, Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership and service organizations. She belongs to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Golden Key Honor Society, as well as Lambda Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta academic honor societies.

    A graduate of Meridian High School, Samra is the daughter of Matt and Keila Ward.

    • CLINTON – Ross McCarty of Meridian was among 50 students at Mississippi College recently inducted into the Mortar Board Cap and Gown Society for 2013-14. Mortar Board is recognized as America’s premier national honor society that spotlights college seniors for their achievement in scholarship, leadership and service projects.

    McCarty is the son of Britt and Amy McCarty of Meridian.

    • Haleigh J. McNeil of Enterprise has been named an All-American Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy (USAA).

    The USAA established the All-American Scholar Award Program to offer deserved recognition to superior students who excel in the academic disciplines. All-American Scholars must earn a 3.3 or higher grade point average. Only scholars selected by a school instructor, counselor or other qualified sponsor are accepted.

    Haleigh, who attends Enterprise Middle School, was nominated by Kelly Mathis and she will appear in the All-American Scholar Yearbook, which is published nationally.

    Haleigh is the daughter of Tonya Jackson of Enterprise.

    • COLUMBUS – The following local and area Mississippi University for Women students were recognized on the President’s List for the spring 2013 semester:

    Meridian – Donna Clark, Diane Johnson, Melanie Jones, Kristen Price, William Rich, Morgan Swancey, Pamela Thompson and Brittany Twilley.

    Lauderdale – Patti Pollard

    Enterprise – KayCee Askew

    Collinsville – Cynthia Clark, Christi Jones and Jessica Lewis

    Philadelphia – Racheal Addy and Stacey Boatner

    DeKalb – Ashley Trosclair

    Quitman – Lauren Kemp

    Bailey – Allan Stinson

    Macon – Ellen Bell and Valerie Seiler

    To qualify for the President’s List, the student must be enrolled full-time and have a perfect 4.0 quality point average.

    • Members of the 2013-14 East Central Community College Centralettes, the danceline for the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band, were selected following tryouts held in April on the Decatur campus.

    Members and their respective high schools include: Grayson Harrell, East Rankin Academy; Emilee Cox, Kelsey Cox and Davita Ragsdale, all of Forest; Kasey Logan, Lake; Emily Cook, Leake Central; Joni Hickman, Louisville; Kara Beth Johnson, Morton; Kayla Covington, Cara Jackson, Jordan Lovorn and Jessica Moffett, all of Nanih Waiya; Hillary Williams, Neshoba Central; Kelli Boulton, Mackenzie Gannon, Taylor Gressett, Hannah Mitchell, Caitlyn Sant and Jayohnnie Slaughter, all of Newton County; Emily Gully, Sylva-Bay Academy; and Emma Burton, Union.

    Tina Sanders serves as coordinator/choreographer.