Salute to Mississippi Scholars Set for
April 12, 2012

Please check back soon for details.

Scenes from 2011 Education Celebration

2011 Salute to Mississippi Scholars a Huge Success!

Public Education Forum past chair Rebecca Montgomery enthusiastically welcomed participants to the meeting, and Rev. Darnell Moffett, Simpson County’s Mississippi Scholars coordinator, delivered the invocation. Guest speaker Patricia “Trisha” Bridges, JBHM Education Group state director, focused on “How to Make Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Work for You.” Her address was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Marsha Watson, director of College Knowledge Project, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. Panelists provided updates from the field and shared best practices. Participants included:

Panel One – Jasper County
Lela Bryan - Director, Jasper County Learning Center, Jones County Junior College
Jamie Holder - President of Hol-Mac Corporation
Johnny Rowell - President of Jasper County Board of Supervisors

Panel Two- Lincoln County
Kenny Goza - Entergy, Customer Account Manager
Terrance Turner - Operations Manager, Walmart Distribution
Lea Barrett - Retired Superintendent, Brookhaven School District

Panel Three - Impact- Postsecondary Education
Emanuel Barnes - Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Alcorn State University
Dr. Jim Turcotte - Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, Mississippi College
Max Miller - Associate Director for Enrollment Services, University of Mississippi
Alex McIntosh - Student Services Coordinator, Mississippi State University
Dr. Jane Hulon - Vice President of Instructional Services, Copiah Lincoln Community College

Thanks to volunteers across the state, Mississippi Scholars continues to gain momentum. Volunteers serve as the vehicle to deliver the message to students that their success is important not only to them and their families but also to their communities. As a result of their involvement, students realize their potential and are taking a rigorous course of study in high school.

The State Scholars Initiative began as a national program to utilize business leaders to motivate students to complete a more challenging course of study in high school. Mississippi joined the State Scholars Initiative in 2003. Since then, more than 14,000 Mississippi high school students have graduated with the Mississippi Scholars distinction.

The Mississippi Scholars course of study gives students the foundation they need to succeed in a technical school, community college, university, the military or industry.

Mississippi Scholars Mission

To encourage and motivate all high school students to complete a defined, rigorous academic course of study that prepares them for successful transition to college or university coursework or vocational and technical training necessary to enter today's competitive job market.

Medallion Order Form & Year-End Report

Mississippi Scholars Program Booklet

Natchez Scholars Are Future Leaders

"Forty Mississippi Scholars who are now seniors at Natchez High School have committed to taking more difficult courses, keeping in mind a great reward down the road." Read the story by Nicole Zema in The Natchez Democrat.  

 Entergy Awards $5,000 Grant to Public Education Forum
to Support Mississippi Scholars

The Entergy Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the Public Education Forum of Mississippi to support the Mississippi Scholars project. The goal of Mississippi Scholars is to provide a sound foundation for all students so that they will have more options upon graduation from high school. Haley Fisackerly (center), president and chief executive officer of Entergy Mississippi, Inc., presented the check to Blake Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Mississippi Economic Council, and Vickie Powell, vice president of foundation programs.

Gannett Foundation Donates $2,500 to MS Scholars

 Photo by Joe Ellis/The Clarion-Ledger

Several nonprofits, including Mississippi Scholars, recently received an infusion of funds from community grants awarded locally by the Gannett Foundation. Read the story by Gary Pettus in the Jan. 18 edition of the Clarion-Ledger.

 Walmart Grant Update

The Walmart Foundation provided a $50,000 grant to the Public Education Forum of Mississippi to support the Mississippi Scholars program. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Foundation has supported the program.

Nissan Partners with Canton School District
to Promote Mississippi Scholars

These photos show the Nissan and Canton School District partnership in action. Events included classroom presentations by Nissan employees, a teacher appreciation luncheon hosted at the Canton plant, and a senior luncheon for Mississippi Scholars.

Nissan North America is not only in the business of producing high-quality automobiles, but also strives to enrich lives in communities where they have operations. Nissan Canton is doing just that with their latest partnership with the local school district in Canton.

Nissan employees at the Canton manufacturing facility are partnering with the Canton Public School District to introduce and encourage students to participate in Mississippi Scholars – a program which challenges students to complete a more rigorous course of study in high school than the minimum required.

Championed by Ahmad Choudhry, director of supply chain management, Nissan Canton employees recently visited 8th, 9th and 10th grade classrooms at Canton Middle School and Canton High School to discuss the benefits of signing up for Mississippi Scholars. Presentations focused on the potential income differentials between adults who drop out of school and those with a diploma, as well as those with technical and college degrees.

Through the presentations, students really began to see how education is an essential component to reaching their life goals. A total of 440 students signed up to participate for the 2011-2012 school year, and this past May, four seniors from Canton High School graduated as the district’s first Mississippi Scholars. The students were recognized at a luncheon hosted by Nissan to honor these students and their parents, and they each received a $500 scholarship toward tuition at the college of their choice.

Mississippi Scholars uses business leaders like Nissan to motivate students and encourage them to set high standards for themselves. Students also have opportunities to discuss employer expectations, job skills, budgeting and preparing for their future. Nissan believes this initiative will boost the community of Canton, assist with dropout prevention, and increase the number of well-educated, prepared and skilled residents entering the workforce. Nissan encourages other businesses and community leaders to participate in leading a Scholars program to better educate our youth and help move Mississippi forward!