• Justin Charles Miller and Johnathan B. White have been selected to receive the Sonny Ruff Excellence in Nursing Scholarships at Meridian Community College. 

    These $250 awards are funded through the MCC Foundation by Marion H. “Sonny” Ruff Jr. of Ridgeland. A nurse practitioner, Ruff graduated from the Associate Degree Nursing Program at MCC in 2003. He established this scholarship as a tribute to the nursing program and nursing faculty.

     Miller is in the fourth semester of the ADN Program. He is a member of the Organization of Student Nurses and the Mississippi Organization of Associate Degree Nursing. A 2001 graduate of Meridian High School, Miller’s goal is to specialize in psychiatric care.

     White is in the third semester of the ADN Program. He is a member of the Organization of Student Nurses and the Baptist Student Union. White was valedictorian of the 2006 graduating class of Kemper Academy. His goal is to complete a bachelor of science degree in nursing. 

     • Jacob Sharp Little has been selected to receive the first Wilbur C. Winstead Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

    This $1,300 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 over 40 years. Over that time, they contributed to the betterment of this community by serving on numerous boards and committees.

     Little is in the Construction Trades Program and graduated with highest honors from the millwright program in 2011. The millwright certificate is for proficiency in machining, electrical and plumbing. Little is a 2009 graduate of Newton County Academy. He plans to continue his education in programs centered on construction.  His long term goal is to become an engineer.

    • Ashley Nichol Brashier of Meridian and Tineisha Louise Hayes of Lake have been selected to receive the Austin and Alice James Accounting Scholarships at Meridian Community College. 

    These $1,250 awards are funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Great Southern National Bank at the retirement of both Mr. James from the bank, and Mrs. James from the faculty of Meridian Community College.

    Brashier is in the University Transfer Program studying accounting. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. In addition to her class responsibilities, Brashier is the mother of a 16-month old and works two part-time jobs. Brashier is a 2009 honors graduate of Russell Christian Academy. Her goal is to complete a bachelor of science degree in accounting.

    Hayes is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program. A President’s List scholar, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. She is a 2010 honors graduate of Lake High School. She plans to pursue a degree in accounting.

     • Christina N. Walker of Cuba, Ala., Anna Victoria Lewis of Meridian and Sherhonda Seria Watkins of Cuba have received the Jerry Greene Hotel and Restaurant Supply Scholarships at Meridian Community College. 

    These awards are funded through the MCC Foundation by the local food service equipment dealer. A member of the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, Greene is a recipient of the prestigious Hartley D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Students in the Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology Program are chosen for these scholarships.

    Walker, a sophomore in the program, is a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America. She is a 2003 graduate of Sumter County High School. Walker plans to enter the workforce upon graduation from MCC.

     Lewis is also a sophomore and a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America. She is a 2007 graduate of Patrician Academy. Lewis works full time as guest service manager for a local inn. She is a volunteer for the East Mississippi Animal Rescue.

    Watkins is a freshman in the program and is also a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America. Her plans are to complete the associate degree in HRT, further her education in culinary art and own her own catering service.          

    • Victor Raymon Moore has been selected to receive the Jack Robinson Malone Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

    This $1,000 award is funded through the MCC from an endowment established by the Malone Family. Mr. Malone was owner of Acme Building Supply and Acme Realty, a Master Gardener, avid equestrian and philanthropist.

     Moore is in the Industrial Maintenance Program at MCC and completed the Construction Trades Program in 2011. A President’s List scholar, he is president of the campus Skills USA Industrial Club of America. Moore placed second in the Skills USA State Competition and was named the Outstanding Construction Trades Student. He is a 1999 graduate of Wayne County High School. Moore’s plans are to achieve as much as possible in the construction field.