Leach

• Abbey Leach has been selected to receive the AT&T Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $1,600 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the telecommunications service provider. According to C.D. Smith, AT&T regional manager, the endowment is designed to strengthen the mission of the State Board of Community and Junior Colleges in Mississippi through scholarships for deserving students.

Leach is a 2017 valedictorian graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School, where she was a member of the BETA Club, FCA, Mississippi Scholars and the varsity softball team. Leach is enrolled in the University Transfer Program at MCC this fall. She plans to graduate from the Physical Therapy Assistant Program then transfer to a university with a kinesiology program.

• Edwin Trejo has been selected to receive the Bill and Gay Whitworth Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $500 award is funded through the MCC Foundation. Mr. Whitworth is remembered for his civic contributions to the Meridian-Lauderdale County area and his ardent support of education. He served on the MCC Foundation Board of Directors from 1985 until his death in 2006. Mrs. Gay Whitworth continues to fund this scholarship that Mr. Whitworth established more than 30 years ago.  

Trejo, a 2016 graduate of Meridian High School, is a sophomore in the Electronics Technology Program at MCC. He works part-time at Auto Zone. He plans to continue his education at a university while working.

• Alec Marlow and Dakota Cason have been selected to receive the Dorothy McCauley Bates Memorial Scholarships at Meridian Community College. 

These awards are funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Mr. George Wade Bates of Birmingham. The Bates met while attending Meridian Junior College (MCC) and shared a marriage that spanned forty-three years. Mr. Bates wanted to create a memorial that would help deserving students in future years.

Marlow, a 2016 highest honors graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School, is enrolled in the University Transfer Program at MCC. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Honors College, and the Eagles baseball team at MCC. He plans to transfer to Mississippi State University and major in engineering. 

Cason, a 2016 honors graduate of West Lauderdale High School, is enrolled in the University Transfer Program at MCC. He is a member of Honors College, PTK and BSU Leadership at MCC. His goal is to transfer to the University of Mississippi, earning a bachelor’s degree and attend seminary to become an international missionary.

• Elizabeth Abel has been selected to receive the Keli Breanne Brown Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $600 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from a fund established by family and friends. In October 2008, 16-year-old Keli died in an automobile accident. She is remembered as an intelligent, popular young lady who loved life. Her personal motto was “Live Your Life…and Smile.” She planned to attend Meridian Community College to pursue a degree in physical therapy. Ryan Brown initiated this scholarship in memory of his sister.

Abel, a 2014 graduate of Meridian High School, is in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at MCC. A President’s List scholar, she is a member the Health Occupation Students of America, National Technical Honor Society and the Circle of Excellence. After graduation, Abel plans to apply for her PTA certification and join the workforce. 

• Danny Ray Smith has been selected to receive the Wilbur C. Winstead Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $1,400 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the Winstead Family. Mr. Winstead, one of the earliest licensed brokers in the state, and his wife Thellis have served this area as realtors for more than 40 years. Over that time, they contributed to the betterment of the community by serving on numerous boards and committees.

Smith, a 1970 graduate of Meridian High School, is retired and a member of the VFW Post 12124. He is currently enrolled in the Construction Trades Program at MCC. After graduating MCC, he would like to work with Habitat for Humanity and start a cabinetry shop. 

• DECATUR — Jackie Hamm of Newton is the MI-BEST Student of the Year at East Central Community College.

Hamm, who attended Newton County Academy, is enrolled in the college’s collision repair technology program. She received her award at the annual MI-BEST Awards Dinner held recently on campus.

MI-BEST allows qualified applicants to take courses they need to prepare for the high school equivalency exam while at the same time training for jobs in fields such as collision repair technology, business and office technology, certified nurse assistant, culinary arts technology, hotel and restaurant management, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). There is no cost for tuition for students who qualify for MI-BEST.

• STARKVILLE — The following area residents were among graduates for the 2017 summer term at Mississippi State University:

Meridian — Gregory Bott, doctorate, College of Business; Elliot Brewer, master of science, College of Education; Brandon Felton, bachelor of arts, College of Arts & Sciences; Courtney Galistel, master of science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences; Sarah Gordon, bachelor of science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences; Tianna Hampton, bachelor of arts, College of Arts & Sciences; Jennifer Mackrell, master of science, College of Education; Todd Vernon, education specialist, College of Education; and Laquandria Williams, bachelor of science, College of Education.

Collinsville — Timothy Hester, bachelor of arts (summa cum laude), College of Arts & Sciences; William James, bachelor of science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences; Haley Reed, bachelor of science, College of Arts & Sciences; Mikhail Sapelin, master of science, College of Education; and Jerra Smith, master of science, College of Education

Toomsuba — Andrew Black, bachelor of science (magna cum laude), College of Education

• TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Bradley Clark of Gilbertown is one of close to 300 University of Alabama students receiving a hands-on educational experience at more than 60 companies and organizations through UA’s Cooperative Education Program this fall.

Clark is working at Marathon Equipment.

In the Cooperative Education Program, students alternate periods of full-time study with periods of full-time employment. This program offers work related to the academic major or career interests of each student. The experience enhances the students’ employment prospects after graduation.

While in school, students carry regular course schedules. While on co-op, they work with professionals in their fields who supervise their training and work. At work, co-op students earn competitive salaries and may receive benefit packages in addition to valuable on-the-job experience. Students maintain their full-time student status while at work and have priority registration status each semester through graduation.

• TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Three area residents were among 1,300 students awarded degrees during summer commencement exercises at the University of Alabama.

The graduates are: Shanan Cox of Gilbertown, who received a master of science in nursing; Tera Elysse Johnson of Waynesboro, Miss., who received a bachelor of science degree; and Brandon Rafael Wallace of Butler, who received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.

• NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mississippi residents Bethany Brewer of Waynesboro and Shawn Reid of Union achieved Dean’s List at Belmont University for the Summer 2017 session.

Eligibility for the summer session is based on a minimum 9-hour load over 10 weeks and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.