The academic achievements and accomplishments of more than 100 high school minority students from Meridian and surrounding areas will be recognized Sunday, March 24, at Delta Nu Zeta, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.’s annual Salute to Outstanding Minority Youth Program.

The program will get underway at 2:30 p.m. at the Tommy E. Dulaney Center-Meridian Community College. Guest speaker will be Meridian High School Principal Victor Hubbard.

Now in its 34th year, the Delta Nu Zeta, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.’s Salute to Outstanding Minority Youth Program recognizes the accomplishments of select graduating high school seniors representing East Mississippi and West Alabama. This year’s students will be recognized, not only for their accomplishments but also extolled for their future success. It is a recognition the Meridian sorority’s members look forward to each year Meridian chapter president Vivian Naylor said.

“We not only want to honor these graduating seniors for their academic achievements and recognize their accomplishments in various areas of their school experiences, but also ant to encourage them to pursue their dreams and further their education,” Naylor said.

Students from the following schools and school districts will be among the honorees: Meridian Public School District, Lauderdale County School District, Newton County School District, Choctaw County (Ala.) School District, Sumter County (Ala.) School District, Lamar School and Russell Christian Academy. The 2019 honorees are:

Meridian High School: Malerie Brooks, Kendrick Brown Jr., Parisian Brown, Taylor Gordon, Sean Hall Jr., Amber Hopson, Markee Jones, Lindsey Macon, Jermaine Miguel McAlpine Jr., Sakierria Miller, Adora Norman, Destiny Clemons, Traemond Pittman, Nikisa Powe, Zion Roberts, Kendarius Ruffin, MaKailee Silliaman, John Spinks, Azia Whitehead and Augarius B. Williams.

Lamar High School: Sierah Re’Shaun Roberts and Ambreah Chernease Waters.

Northeast High School: Tyler Anderson, Destinee Alford, Adrian Hopson, Jimmyia T. Smith, Samiya Taylor, Jalen Walker and Myea Young.

Southeast Lauderdale High School: Mary Alford, Autumn Malaysia Brown, Kayla Denea’ Carter, Raven Collins, Jada Griffin, Jamia Harris, Tazmine Hudnall, Nykia Landrum, Mariyah M. Mitchell, Quenjasmine Perrien, Daiquan Scott, Sterling Spears II, Shailyn Troup, Christian Walker, Brendaysia Wallace, Daniel Ethan Williams, Shontonia Willis Jr. and JaCatherine Wilson.

West Lauderdale High School: Joseph Aviles, Michaiah Bolar, Jordan Colenberg, Amiyah Collins, Axel Galven, Phillip Naylor and Kimbresha Thomas.

Carkdale High School: Gemarcus Brown.

Russell Christian Academy: Kaydriana Brown, Baleigh Miller and Vincent Reynolds Jr.

Choctaw County (Ala.) High School: Jalen Bush, Darian Coleman, MaKayla James, Miranda James, Tyra Ruffin and Kendrick Traylor II.

Newton County High School: Jasmin Brooks, Roderrian Evans, Genesis Lyons and Marcus E. Wash.

Newton Municipal High School: Tyler Bedford, Aeronney Berry, Jamesa Bias, J’Sacha Evans, Je’Mariaus Ford, Breanna Givens, Jada Hardy, Trevion Hillie, Destyne Jordan, A’Miracle May, Nia McCalphia, Christopher McCune, Myja McNichols, Keshawna Nelson, Jamarian Pace, Rahmari Payne, Yorel Phillips, Desiree Reed, Jacquez Robinson, Corbin Tillman, Chelorian Turner, McKinley Ware, DeShaun Watts, Leslie Watts, Trynica Wash and La’Darrion Washington.

Quitman High School: Jaiya Lashae Chambers, Heaven Etheridge, Aria Johnson, Natalie Pearson and Alazondria Allie Satcher.

Sumter Central (Ala.) High School: Tamaris Clark, Zaria Harris, Richard Hull Jr. and Jarion Rogers.

 

History of SOMS

The Salute to Outstanding Minority Students was established in 1985 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Meridian chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

“It was suggested that we do something to not only recognize our area’s minority students, but also to encourage them to do well,” sorority member Jenifer Buford said. “And because it is a family-oriented program – family members, friends and other associates of the honored students often attend – we hope others are also inspired to do well.”

Sixteen students from Meridian, Lauderdale County and Newton were recognized at the first program. Guest speaker was Dr. Edith V. Francis, who, at the time was our international grand basileus.

Each year, the number of students recognized has grown.

“The next year we presented the program, we had 60 students; and 100 students the following year,” Buford said. “Each year, the numbers have continued to grow to well over 100 students honored,” Buford said.

Today, more than 3,000 students have been recognized during the Salute to Outstanding Minority Students Program. Many of the honorees have gone on to excel in various professions.

“Today, those students are teachers, principals, doctors, nurses, attorneys, business leaders, engineers, scientists and work in many other outstanding professions,” Buford said.

 

Delta Nu Zeta Chapter,

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Founded Dec. 17, 1950, Delta Nu Zeta Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. has been committed to community service, beginning with a dental program for indigent children as well as free lunches for students attending West End Elementary, Mount Barton and East End schools.

Other projects of Delta Nu Zeta have included purchasing eyeglasses, cheerleading uniforms, and choir uniforms for needy students, working with Pepsi Cola and the Red Cross in preparing identification cards which included pictures and any identifying marks for young children.

Delta Nu Zeta participates and has participated in the March of Dimes Walk for Babies, The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Meridian’s Martin Luther King Parade, the Black History Program at Meridian Museum of Art, voter registration drives, the 2000 and 2010 Census, “Cans for Kids,” volunteers with youth at Wesley House, LOVE’s Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Meridian Parks and Recreation Annual Easter Egg Hunt and St. Patrick’s Fall Fest. Members volunteer at Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter, have sponsored a “Wig and Scarf” campaign as a Christmas project for the Anderson Cancer Center and sponsored a health fair at the Boys and Girls Club

Delta Nu Chapter has received recognition for numerous projects in the state, regional and in 2009 on the National Relay for Life Web site was recognized as the No. 1 contributor in the state of Mississippi for donations. The chapter has been awarded Premier Chapter Status for the state of Mississippi for participation on all levels within the state, and served as host of the 2010 Mississippi Youth Summit.