East Central Community College recently announced inductees into the 2016 Hall of Fame, the highest honor a student can receive at the college. They include, from left, Hannah Mitchell of Lawrence, Anthony Emmons of Lake, Louise Berryhill of Union, Ben Pace of Philadelphia, Kaylee Yates of Decatur and Devin Skinner of Philadelphia. The honorees were announced during Awards Day activities held April 28, 2016 in Huff Auditorium. Their photos will hang in the Hall of Fame Collection in the lobby of Huff Auditorium.

    DECATUR – Recipients of Hall of Fame and other honors were recognized during the annual Awards Day program held at East Central Community College.

    Selection to the Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor a student can receive at the college, according to Dr. Billy Stewart, ECCC president, who presented the awards.

    “To be considered for the prestigious honor,” Dr. Stewart said, “students must demonstrate exemplary character, superior scholarship, worthy leadership and contribute to the betterment of East Central Community College.” 

    Hall of Fame inductees for 2016 include: Louise Berryhill of Union, Anthony Emmons of Lake, Hannah Mitchell of Lawrence, Benjamin Pace and Devin Skinner, both of Philadelphia, and Kaylee Yates of Decatur.

     Berryhill is a graduate of Newton County High School and the daughter of  Richard and Paula Berryhill of Union.

    She was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community/Junior Colleges and received the L.B. Simmons History Award, Conrad Barnes Math and Science Scholarship and Lucille Wood Scholarship.

    She serves as vice president of fellowship for Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society and is a drum major for the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band. She is a member of the President’s Council, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, Concert Choir, Voce vocal ensemble and Catholic Campus Ministries.

    Those nominating her wrote, “Louise Berryhill is one of the hardest workers and brightest, most intelligent students on this campus. She excels in all that she does, classes and otherwise. She is involved in many activities and is usually a major part of those activities. She has the most spirit, ambition, and intelligence of any person I know. I cannot think of any one other student who would embody a Hall of Fame student any better than her.”

    Emmons is a graduate of Lake High School and the son of Tim and Kathy Emmons of Lake.

    He was named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team and Who’s Who Among Students in American Community/Junior Colleges. He received the R.O. and Bertha Hannah Scholarship and the Tony Dobbs Memorial Golf Scholarship, as well as valedictorian, STAR Student, ACT, band and choir scholarships.

    He serves as vice president of Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, treasurer of Warrior Corps, French horn section leader for the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band, tenor section leader for the Concert Choir, and is a member of the Pep Band, EC Encore Players, “Wo-He-Lo” yearbook staff and Student Education Association.

    Those nominating him wrote, “Anthony Emmons is a strong representation of East Central Community College and its vision. Through various leadership roles and several educational opportunities, he always strives to be the best that he can be. Instead of working on just himself, he also helps others to strive to do the same. … His kindness and motivation allow him to better anything around him. … He is a truly exceptional student and an even more exceptional human being. …”

Mitchell is a graduate of Newton County High School and the granddaughter of Earnest and Patty Sue Gibbs of Lawrence. She is the daughter of the late Dedria Mitchell.

    She was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community/Junior Colleges and received the La-Z-Boy Scholarship and John Lambert Neill Memorial Scholarship. She was also awarded scholarships for ACT, choir and band.

She serves as vice president of leadership for Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, trombone section leader for the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band, alto section leader for the concert choir, head media technician for the Collegians rock and roll band, and is a member of the EC Encore Players, Voce vocal ensemble, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, Jazz Band and Can Bangers percussion ensemble.

    Those nominating her wrote, “Hannah Mitchell lives up to the standard of Excellence with Class. … She has made her mark on East Central by her numerous leadership positions she has earned. … Her mind is set to achieve goals, no matter the obstacle. She excels in her academics and extracurricular activities. She has helped many people by helping them understand things that seem confusing in class. She is willing to help those in need, which speaks for her character.”

    Pace is a graduate of Neshoba Central High School and the son of Derek and Patty Pace of Philadelphia.

    He was selected to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic First Team, HEADWAE Student of the Year and was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Community/Junior Colleges. He received the Aaron Ronald Davis Memorial Scholarship, Ben Myers Memorial Scholarship, Classes of 1957, 1958 and 1959 Scholarship and the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. In addition, he received awards in both state and national competition for Phi Beta Lambda.

    He serves as president of Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, president of the President’s Council, co-president of Warrior Corps, and is a member of Concert Choir, Theta Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Baptist Student Union.

    Those nominating him wrote, “Ben Pace is an ECCC Warrior through and through. He strives for perfection in all that he does and it is evident in his accomplishments both academically and in the extracurricular activities that he is involved in. … Ben is very unassuming and his hard work and dedication in everything he attempts sets him apart from other students. … Ben is one of the finest students I have had the opportunity to work with at ECCC.”

    Skinner is a graduate of Neshoba Central High School and the son of Scott and Angie Skinner of Philadelphia.

    He was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community/Junior Colleges. He received the freshman engineering award and the Ben Myers Memorial Scholarship. He was also selected a freshman and sophomore class favorite.

    He serves as president of Alpha Alpha Epsilon engineering club, vice president of the sophomore class, co-captain of the tennis team, co-president of the Baptist Student Union and a leader for the BSU drama team. He is a member of Theta Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, Warrior Corps, President’s Council and Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society.

    Those nominating him wrote, “Devin Skinner is a person of great quality and substance. … He treats everyone who he meets with friendliness and he does not ever seem to meet a stranger. … Devin is very committed to doing the best that he can in the classroom because he knows that his studies are one of the keys to fulfilling his dreams. … By holding leadership positions in several organizations on campus, he strives to lead and be a positive example in the lives of others on campus. … ”

    Yates is the daughter of Karen Robertson of Decatur and the late Mickey Yates.

She was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community/Junior Colleges. She received the Leon Eubanks KALJYC-Peers Scholarship and the Bonnie P. Saxton Scholarship. She was also selected a freshman class favorite and a sophomore Homecoming maid.

    She serves as president of the Student Body Association, co-president of the Baptist Student Union, vice president of the President’s Council and is a member of Concert Choir, Centralettes dance line, Theta Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, Warrior Corps, Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society and the “Wo-He-Lo” yearbook staff. In addition, she served as vice president of her freshman class.

    Those nominating her wrote, “ … I can think of no one who has been more involved and more dedicated to East Central Community College than Kaylee Yates. Not only has she been a fully involved and committed member of numerous campus clubs and organizations, she has also put every effort into maintaining a high GPA with plans to finish her degree and attend physical therapy school. I have no doubt that whatever Kaylee does in her future, she will not only make her alma mater proud, but she will be a loyal alumna as well. … ”

    Additional honors presented during Awards Day include the following:

    Career award recipients include Josh Crutcher of Sebastopol, residential carpentry; Christina McKinnion of Noxapater, cosmetology and Career Student of the Year; and Tristan Clay Willis and Tina Vaughn, both recipients of the Welding & Cutting “Taylor Cup.”  

    Technical awards were presented to Jordon Prisock of Louisville, collision repair technology; Jacob Robinson of Meridian, automotive technology; Malinda Harris of Newton and Sharon Bout of Decatur, co-recipients of early childhood education technology; Alan Graham of Forest, electrical technology; Jay Riser of Forest, heating and air conditioning technology; Tamara Boydstun of Louisville, culinary arts technology; Karen Cleveland of Decatur, hotel and restaurant management technology; Bay White of Sturgis and Samuel Kelly of Union, manufacturing and machining technology; Caleb Terry of Newton, network support technology; and Laren Copeland of Walnut Grove, Technical Student of the Year.

    Recipients of healthcare education awards include Kelsey Porter of Morton, associate degree nursing Outstanding Achievement; Shantel Body of Newton, practical nursing; and Michael Eichelberger of Conehatta, paramedic technology.

    Those receiving special awards were Ben Pace of Philadelphia, Citizenship Award and Dr. Margaret Mosal for Leadership Scholarship; Kaitlyn Ware of Lake, Ann Burkes Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship; Aaron Scoggin of Lawrence, Alford J. Deaton Physics Award; Louise Berryhill of Union, Richard Fisher Organic Chemistry Award; Erica Myers of Philadelphia and John Thames of Decatur, co-recipients, East Central Environmental Club Award; Anna Claire Housley of Morton, Astronomy Club Award; Randy Phillips of Jackson, Anthony Coleman Men’s Basketball Award; Kellen Clark of Chunky and Brittany Rasco of Pascagoula, co-recipients, Roy Pete Award for Soccer; Sarah Laird of Meridian, ECCC Concert Choir Award; Kirk Griffin of Union, EC Encore Players Award; Chris Kelley of Newton, ECCC Gospel Choir Award; Charlie Wilcher of Carthage, S. Lebrun Hutchinson Engineering Scholarship; Blake Fortenberry of Forest, Freshman Mathematics Award; Megan Parrish of Pascagoula, Sophomore Mathematics Award; Bruce Hedrick of Newton, Secondary Education Award; Emily Beckham of Philadelphia, Myrtle R. Hutchison Elementary Education Award; Memry Thompson of Morton, Mississippi Business Educators Association Award; Ben Pace, Caleb Brown, CrisAnn Bryan and Katie Hillman, all of Philadelphia, and Madelon Taylor of Louisville, all recipients of Phi Beta Lambda Hall of Fame; Chaney Mills of Hickory, Alyne Simmons Recruitment Grant; Madelon Taylor of Louisville and Hannah May of Little Rock, co-recipients of “The Tom-Tom” Award; and Katie McCool of Louisville, Lucille Wood Scholarship.

    Alumni Memorial Awards were presented to Michael Whitlock of Philadelphia, Billy Wayne Baucum Secondary Education Award; John Creekmore of Noxapater, W.A. Coursey, Jr. Engineering Award; Kellen Clark of Chunky, Danny Ray Killens Engineering Award; Scott Main of Meridian, Ruth Carr-Vincent Academic Award for Excellence in Non-Traditional Education; Jacob McNeil of Louin, Alatha Chaney English Award; Paxton Holmes of Morton, Sara Carr Deaton Business Technology Award; Sarah Laird of Meridian, Sue Yarbrough Fulgham Speech Award; Kellen Clark of Chunky, Arno Vincent Award for Academic Excellence in Athletics; Corey Hilliard of Ocean Springs, William S. Giffin Men’s Intramural Award; Johnta’ Hughes of Hattiesburg, Earline Wood Memorial Award for Women’s Basketball; Blaze Gibbs of Brandon, Homer F. Hunter Athletic Managers Award; Jesse Hosket of French Camp, Andrew F. Webb Football Award; Ravion Henry of Carthage, Howard Sessums Men’s Basketball Award; Ben Pace of Philadelphia, Jack B. Mayo Phi Theta Kappa Award; and Samm Thompson of Decatur, Dr. Edwin Miller Medical Services Award.

    Faculty Memorial Awards were presented to Katie McCool of Louisville, Aaron R. Davis Memorial Scholarship; Weiying Wang of Noxapater, Frank Edwin & Nena Holt Leatherwood Biology Science Award; Katie McCool of Louisville, Dr. Shelby L. Harris Memorial Scholarship; Carly Dickerson of Louisville, J. Wallace Bedwell Business Award; Lindsey Ayllon of Newton, Frank M. Cross Freshman Chemistry Award; Gage Leifried of Meridian, J. Andy Miller Freshman Engineering Award; Lauren Copeland of Walnut Grove, O.L. Newell Drafting Award; Alisha Tamara Savell of Philadelphia, Charles E. Pennington Business Technology Award; Anastasia Crout of Lake, Robert G. Fick Memorial Scholarship; Lillian Shuler of Carthage, Ruth Hull Memorial Wo-He-Lo Award; Matt Mitchell of Lake, Jamie Clark Memorial Baseball Award; Makenzie Byrd of Sebastopol, Leon Eubanks Kaljyc-Peers Leadership Award; Pashien Kelley-Johnson of Diamondhead, L.B. Simmons History Award; Amanda Creekmore of Newton, Thomas W. Thrash Memorial Scholarship; and Khalil Triplett of Philadelphia, General William Patrick Wilson Academic Scholarship.