Excellence in Education

Published 10:38 pm Tuesday, September 9, 2008

• Mayah Janae Emerson and Stephanie Kate Gilbert have been selected finalists in the Pre-Teen Mississippi Academic and Enrichment Program to be held Sept. 26-28 at the Summitt Hotel/Convention Center in Tupelo.

Mayah, is the daughter of Albert and Katricia Emerson of Meridian.

Stephanie is the daughter of James and Melody Gilbert of Little Rock.

Pre-Teen Mississippi is a by-invitation only academic and enrichment event involving young ladies ages 7 to 12 based on their school academic records, awards and honors won and/or their participation in outside activities. Additionally, young ladies are invited who have been recognized publicly for their outstanding personal achievements, volunteer services, school involvement, leadership abilities or creative talents.

State finalists will be evaluated on academic achievement, volunteer service to community, school honors and activities, development of personal skills and abilities, general knowledge assessment, communicative ability and on-stage acknowledgment of accomplishments.

Pre-Teen Mississippi with award more than $5,000 in educational savings bonds, prizes and awards.

• Floyd Maseda Jr. of Collinsville received the Presidential Scholarship from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Maseda is 2008 graduate of West Lauderdale High School, where he was a member of the Technology Student Association and the Math and Science Team. He received a Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant and a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant. He also was named a STAR Student and received a 34 on the ACT. He plans to pursue a career in astrophysics and work for NASA.

Maseda is the son of Jeanna Ezell Maseda of Collinsville and Floyd Maseda Sr. of Lake. He is the grandson of Leola Jones and Carleen Maseda of Meridian, and the late Charlie Ezell and the late Frank Maseda.

• Four students have been selected to receive the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Scholarships at Meridian Community College. 

These awards are funded through the MCC Foundation by the Board of Trustees of the G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Foundation. It is their intent to continue Congressman Montgomery’s fervent commitment to education by funding these awards. 

  Shelby Victoria Purdy is a 2008 highest honors graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School. She was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Beta Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Purdy was named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American High Schools.” She will take courses in preparation for the Associate Degree Nursing Program. 

  Jataria Chandalier Martin is a 2008 honors graduate of West Lauderdale High School, where she was named Outstanding Minority Student. She is the only freshman in the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at MCC. Martin has joined the Eagle Cheerleading squad, the Medical Lab Technology Club, and Health Occupation Students of America.

  Courtney Smith is a 2008 highest honors graduate of Clarkdale Attendance Center. She was a member of the cheerleading squad, Spanish Honor Society and the dance team. Smith will take courses in preparation for admittance in the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

  Drake Nosco is a 2008 graduate of Lamar Foundation School. He played basketball and baseball for the Raiders, was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta. Nosco will play basketball for the Eagles this fall. His career goal is to become a dentist.

  • Shea Morgan Smith has been selected to receive the John and Ann Johnson Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $1,600 award, designated for a graduate of a Lauderdale County high school, is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by The Johnsons. Mr. Johnson served as business manager for the college for 23 years; Mrs. Johnson taught in the Lauderdale County School System for 14 years. 

Smith was valedictorian of the 2008 graduating class of Southeast High School. She was a member of the Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Math and Science Team. Shea received awards for highest advanced biology average and highest trig/pre-calculus average. She works part time and is a nursery worker for her church. 

Smith is enrolled in the University Transfer Program at MCC. Her career goal is to become an elementary education teacher.

• Elliott Howard Clark has been selected to receive the Dan Self/Robbie Jones Pre-Law Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $1,500 award is funded through the MCC Foundation by the two local attorneys. Self and Jones make this assistance available to encourage students pursuing a career in the law profession.

Clark is a 2007 graduate of West Lauderdale High School. A President’s List scholar, he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. Clark is a member of the Eagle Men’s Tennis Team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Community and Junior Colleges” and received the Rick Calderon Spanish Award. This summer, Clark spent a month abroad living with a Spanish family honing his skills in the language and experiencing the culture.