Excellence in education

By Staff
July 27, 2001
Brianne Stokes of Meridian will receive the 2001-2002 Otho Smith Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College.
Stokes will use the $500 scholarship to complete her second year in the University Transfer Program. The MCC Foundation funds the scholarship in memory of the Meridian businessman and philanthropist.
HATTIESBURG Four students from the Meridian area attended the 23rd annual Summer Gifted Studies Program June 24 to 29 at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Attending were Thomas L. Walton, 9, of West Lauderdale School, son of Bobby and Lori Walton; Lauren Purvis, 10, of Poplar Springs School, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ronnye Purvis; Jennie Fisher, 9, of Lamar School, daughter of Marc and Jimmie Kay Fisher; and Amy Dayton, 12, of Magnolia Middle School, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Harry Dayton.
The program is designed for intellectually and academically gifted students in grades four through eight who were recommended by a teacher or counselor. The program's classes aim to enhance cognitive, affective and psychomotor abilities of gifted students.
DECATUR A scholarship has been established at East Central Community College in memory of a former campus football player killed in an April automobile accident.
The Russell McCann Memorial Scholarship provides $500 annually to a qualified recipient. Applicants for the scholarship must be a resident of East Central's five-county district and have at least a "C" average.
The scholarship is designated for athletes, with a preference given to football players. The scholarship was initiated by McCann's parents, Ricky and Teresa Williamson Shannon of Lena.
DECATUR Several East Central Community College licensed practical nursing students received honors at the annual state Health Occupation Students of America competition in Jackson last April:
Those honored were Crystal Arnault of McCool, first place, extemporaneous health poster; Stephanie Ward of Collinsville, first place, pathophysiology and top 10 on the national health care issues exam; Ellen Boykin of Sebastopol, second place, extemporaneous writing; Martha Sawyer of Raleigh, second place, human growth and development and top 10 on the national health care issues exam; Tiffany Simmons of Newton, third place, nutrition; Jennie Jenkins of Carthage, Sharon Nash of Meridian and Daphne Palmer of Louisville, fifth place, creative problem solving; Shelia Trussell, fifth place, extemporaneous health poster and top 10 on the national health care issues exam; Veronica Jones of Forest, fifth place, extemporaneous speaking; and Mary Johnson of Union and Michelle Smith of Carthage, top 10 on the national health care issues exam.
Irven Skinner, coordinator of work-based learning at Meridian Community College, attended the 2001 Mid-South Community College Fellowship Program annual summer leadership retreat at Lake Tiak O'Khata Conference Center near Louisville.
Among the areas covered in the training: problem-based learning, team building, technology in education, conflict management and workplace diversity