Excellence in Education

By Staff
Oct. 30, 2003
Nine Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus students recently were inducted into the campus chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education.
Kappa Delta Pi elects members who exhibit ideals of scholarship, high personal standards and promise in teaching and allied professions.
Those selected include: Jimmy Freeman, Enterprise; Melissa Freeman, Quitman; Jamie Marshall, Meridian; Tina Melton, Meridian; Nancy Quates, Carthage; Emily Shannon, Meridian; Mary Snowden, Meridian; Laryssa Spradley, Laurel; and Tanya Weatherford, Philadelphia.
George Thomas, professor and chairman of the Division of Education, serves as the Kappa Delta Pi faculty adviser.
The Delta Omega chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority initiated Alexa Crane of Meridian on Oct. 3 on the Mississippi State University campus.
Crane is pursuing a major in international business. While attending Meridian High School, she actively participated in National Honor Society and the Image Committee.
Kappa Delta Sorority was founded on Oct. 23, 1897, at State Female Normal School (now Longwood University), in Farmville, Va. With more than 175,000 members throughout the world, Kappa Delta actively supports Girl Scouts and Prevent Child Abuse America.
Lisa Swartzfager of Meridian recently pledged with Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at Birmingham-Southern College for the 2003-2004 academic year. Lisa is a 2003 graduate of Lamar High School.
The recipient of the Bonita Lakes Mall Scholarship at Meridian Community College is Jacquelin Danielle King. This $1,200 award is funded through the MCC Foundation.
Jacquelin is a 2002 graduate of Meridian High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society.
A sophomore studying business administration, she plans to work toward her master's degree and specialize in real estate or banking and finance.
King is an assistant manager of a retail business in Bonita Lakes Mall.
Cheri Rene Wilson and Sara Jo Rucker have been selected to receive the Big and Ham Sanders Scholarships for the fall and spring semesters at Meridian Community College.
These $650 awards are funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Mrs. Sanders.
Wilson is a 2002 graduate of George County High School in Lucedale. She is a member of the MCC soccer team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Baptist Student Union and the Ivy League Recruiters.
Wilson, a president's list scholar, is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program. She plans to become a clinical psychologist and specialize in work with abused children.
Rucker is a 2002 graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School where she was first lieutenant in the band and treasurer of the Beta Club.
A sophomore in the University Transfer Program, Rucker plans to continue her education at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
Jeff Brantley, a senior at Meridian High School, has been named a National Merit semi-finalist. He enjoys computer programming and wants to one day invent computer chips for advanced technology and computers.
His interest in computers began when he was in the sixth-grade.
Brantley enrolled in a two-year vocational class at Ross Collins Career and Vocational Center under the direction of Walt Littleton and learned about computer systems and networking.
Brantley then wrote a program far more complex than anything covered in class or written by other students.
He studied computer programming and received A+ Professional Certification for computer repair and maintenance, and he built a computer from parts he ordered over the Internet.
Brantley also plays classical and electric guitar. He plans to major in computer engineering.