Excellence in Education

By Staff
June 17, 2002
JACKSON The following students were among 417 graduates of the University of Mississippi Medical Center:
Todd Andrew Benton, son of Dr. Gary Benton of Meridian and Diane Benton of Natchez, received his doctor of medicine degree. The 1998 graduate of Mississippi State University will begin residency in training in pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.
David Oman Carney, son of Dr. and Mrs. P.T. Carney of Brandon, received his doctor of medicine degree. The 1992 graduate of Mississippi College will begin residency in training in family medicine at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.
Lana Liane Jackson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Jackson of Meridian, received her doctor of medicine degree. She received the Hearin Hess Foundation Scholarship from 1998-2001. The 1997 graduate of the University of Mississippi will begin residency in training in otolaryngology at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Jennifer Lee Mosely, daughter of J.A. and Betty Mosley of Meridian, received her doctor of medicine degree. She received the Lettie P. Whitehead award from 1998-2001. The 1997 graduate of Millsaps College will begin residency in training in internal medicine at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville.
Jacques Lenoel Gordon, son of Leo Gordon of Meridian and Mrs. Jerry D. Gordon of Daleville, received his doctor of dental medicine degree. He is a 1998 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi.
Melissa Ann Pearson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby C. Pearson of Meridian, received her bachelor of science degree in clinical laboratory sciences, magna cum laude. She received the 2001 James T. Baird Memorial Scholarship.
Carla May Ohnemus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ohnemus of Meridian, received her bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene.
Emily Rebecca Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith of Collinsville, received her bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy, cum laude. She is a 2000 graduate of Mississippi State University.
Amanda Carol Stokes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scotty Stokes of Meridian, received her bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy, summa cum laude. A member of Alpha Eta and Phi Kappa Phi, she received the Dr. Virginia Stansel Tolbert Award.
Rachel Vise Adams, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Vise of Meridian and wife of Bailey Adams of Jackson, received her bachelor of science degree in nursing.
More than 240 high school sophomores are expected to commit at least 25,000 hours of volunteer services to communities across Mississippi in the coming months. The students, all graduates of the just-completed annual Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) program in Jackson, are committed to volunteer participation in community services that impact lives of the families and individuals in their local areas.
The HOBY program, conducted annually in Jackson, is a part of the nationwide leadership training program for high school students created by actor Hugh O'Brian. Its mission is to encourage high school sophomores to become active in volunteer activities designed to improve communities and the country. At the same time, the seminar provides leadership development training for the students.
The program focuses on leadership, motivation and volunteerism by exposing students to business and political leaders and by involving them, as part of their training in service projects with community organizations such as the Salvation Army, Gateway Rescue Mission, the Mississippi Food Network and other similar community service and charitable organizations in the Jackson area and in Mississippi.
Students were selected to participate in HOBY by their high schools. Each public and private high school in Mississippi was invited to select one outstanding student to take part in the program.
Area students who took part in this year's program and who will be volunteering for community service include Alex Abangan of Lamar High School, Brook Bounds of West Lauderdale Attendance Center, Andrew Gambrell of Meridian High School, Brittany Thomas of Northeast Lauderdale High School and Brandi Wright of Clarkdale Attendance Center.
In addition to the annual leadership seminars, HOBY graduates are eligible for more than 85 college and university scholarships across the nation.
Funding for the leadership program is provided by businesses, foundations, civic clubs and individuals throughout the state.
William G. Ogg of Meridian is among 17 Mississippi State seniors newly inducted into the university's Society of Scholars in the Arts and Sciences.
The limited-membership organization annually inducts MSU's most outstanding upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. Those selected for the rigorous screening process must demonstrate a sound foundation in languages, mathematics, science, oral and written communication, humanities and social sciences. Ogg is a microbiology major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ogg.