• Jacob Pendergrass has been selected to receive the Clifton Wadell Byrd Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This is a full tuition, one time award for the fall semester funded by the MCC Foundation in memory of Clifton Wadell Byrd. Byrd retired from the Air National Guard as a chief master sergeant after 42 years of service. He volunteered in the community and officiated football and baseball games for 25 years. He also coordinated Little League Baseball. He was an active member of MCC’s Lifetime Quest and a long time contributor of the MCC Foundation. Wadell and his wife Fran also enjoyed traveling with Foundation Travel.

Pendergrass, a 2016 graduate of West Lauderdale High School, is in the University Transfer Program at MCC. He plans to continue his education at a university of his choice majoring in mechanical engineering. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Pendergrass says wants to continue school and major in religious studies to become a teacher of theology.

• Hannah Thaggard has been selected to receive the Margaret Bates McCay Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This is a full tuition, one time award for the fall semester funded by the MCC Foundation in memory of Margaret Bates McCay. McCay was born in Mobile, Ala., but has been a long time resident of Meridian. She graduated from Meridian Junior College with a degree in Business and Office Technology. She was an avid gardener and an active member for Relay For Life.

Haggard, a 2015 homeschooled graduate, is in the University Transfer Program at MCC. She works as a student theater assistant for MCC’s theatre productions, was a member of Stage 2 Youth Theatre Group, directed MCC’s production of “Carnival” and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Haggard says she plans to continue her education at either the University of Utah or the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in software programing and theatre.

• Kia Bramlett and Lauren Garner have been selected to receive the Steven Nabors Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

These $250 awards are funded through the MCC Foundation for the fall semester. Mr. Steven “Steve” Nabors was a theater instructor, director and actor at Meridian Community College. He was well-known around the campus and community not only for his upbeat attitude, but also earning accolades in a host of venues. Nabors also shared his talent with the Meridian community performing and directing in the local theaters. One quote from a person that knew him was “He was a very caring soul and he will be greatly missed.”

Bramlett, a 2015 honors graduate from Northeast Lauderdale High School, is in the University Transfer Program at MCC. She performs in the MCC Lauderdale County School plays and will also be performing in the MCC Theater productions. Bramlett volunteers at her church in the junior missions and sings in the junior choir. She says she plans to continue her education at the University of Southern Mississippi majoring in dentistry.

Garner, a 2016 honors graduate from West Lauderdale High School, is in the University Transfer Program at MCC. At WLHS, she was a member of the Student Council, treasurer for HOSA and the school newspaper. Garner received the Leadership Scholarship and Gold Scholarship for her freshman year at MCC. She works full-time at Chick-fil-A and has completed more than 500 hours of community service. Garner says she plans to continue her education at the University of Mississippi Medical Center for occupational therapy.

• Samantha McDougal has been selected to receive the Medical Laboratory Technology Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $600 award is funded through the MCC Foundation.

McDougal is a 2011 valedictorian graduate of Southern Choctaw High School. She is a sophomore in the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at MCC. A President’s List scholar, McDougal is a member of the Student Association of Medical Lab Technicians and of the Health Occupation Students of America. After graduating from MCC, McDougal says she plans to continue her education and become a medical lab scientist.

• Four Meridian Community College students have been selected to receive the Meridian Kiwanis Club Scholarships: Shelby Carlisle, Katie Barrett, Jacob Sheely and Haley Francis. These $550 awards, designated for books, are funded by the local civic organization. Students maintaining academic excellence receive this scholarship for four semesters.

Carlisle is a 2015 graduate of Northeast High School, where she was FCA president, on the Lady Trojan Softball Team and a Diploma Plus graduate. Carlisle works at Highland Baptist Day Care in Meridian. She is in the Dental Assistant Program at MCC and plans to enter the workforce after graduation as a dental assistant.

Barrett, a 2015 high honors graduate of Clarkdale High School, is in the University Transfer Program at MCC. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Phil Hardin Honors College and a Dean’s List scholar. Her plans include transferring to Mississippi State University-Meridian for a bachelor’s degree in psychology and then complete her master’s degree at MSU’s main campus in Starkville.

Sheely, a 2015 honors graduate of Russell Christian Academy, is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program at MCC. His interest is in microbiology. Steely will be attending Mississippi State University after graduation. His goal is to secure a job in one of the local hospitals’ working in the lab.

Francis, a 2015 graduate of Northeast High School, is in the Associated Degree Nursing Program at MCC. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing and the Organization of Student Nurses. She is also a Dean’s List scholar. Francis works part-time at Saki Sushi in Meridian. Her goal is to become a neonatal nurse.