The G.V. Sonny Montgomery Chapter of the Air Force Association chose Southeast Lauderdale High School teacher Chloe Gressett as its 2019 outstanding teacher for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Gressett teaches biology, advanced placement biology and zoology.

She learned an exemplary work ethic, devotion to duty, precision and high expectations from her family as her father has served many years in the military, including several years in the 186th Wing of the Air National Guard in Meridian and the 172nd Wing in Jackson, according to the Air Force Association.

In her first year at Southeast, student proficiency on the state Biology I test showed marked improvement. Her hands-on laboratory exercises are fun and encourage students to want to learn more. She integrates technology in classroom virtual labs to allow students to study different species of animals upon dissection, according to the association.

Gressett sponsors a school-wide exercise in March called “March Mammal Madness” (using the NCAA Basketball Tournament as a framework). Played out on a computer, students research mammals to see how adaptive characteristics make them contenders for “most outstanding mammal” and the competition is posted on a bracket developed by a team of scientists. Teachers, staff, and students follow the results on Twitter and on the large bracket outside Gressett’s classroom. Making science fun is one of the keys to her success in the classroom.

Lauderdale County 4-H

Lauderdale County 4-H took six students to Mississippi State University’s 4-H Club Congress to compete in visual presentations, contests and judging.  

Ashlynne Vaughan of Lauderdale 4-H was elected to Southeastern Vice President and 4-H Ambassador. Nina Hay, of the AgriScience 4-H Club, was the winner of the Beef Visual Presentation.  Both earned a trip to the state cooperative tour in July.  

Samuel Madden of Meridian High was second in Electric Competition and Hailey Wells was third overall in the automotive competition.  The county poultry judging team of Ezekiel Pulido, Marisol Garcia and Nina Hay finished third in the state.  

Families First

Families First For Mississippi has introduced a new program for inmates to put their best step forward upon being released.

Families First “The Next Step” starts by taking the next, correct step. The organization works with people as they begin a healthy and refreshed journey. Families First can connect inmates with resources for housing, employment, educational opportunities and efforts for reconciliation with their loved ones. 

Cheryl Owens writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items to cowens@themeridianstar.com.