Excellence in education

By Staff
West Lauderdale High School graduate Brooke Newell has received the $1,000 Walter and Cora Thompson Johnson Scholarship. The scholarship is funded through the Meridian Community College Foundation.
Meridian High School graduate Lindi Nicole Smith, daughter of Luther and Tina Smith, has enrolled in the Meridian Community College University Transfer Program.
She was selected Senior Band Member of the Year and has been named a member of the WTOK Salute to Excellence Program as one of the top 10 academic students at Meridian High School. She has been awarded a Kiwanis Club Scholarship and a Gold Scholarship to MCC.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Kedrick Rashawn Crenshaw of Meridian and Tina Marie Thomas of Forest received diplomas this month from the University of Alabama. Crenshaw earned a bachelor's degree in commerce and business administration. Thomas received a master's degree.
BOONEVILLE Jason O. Gardner of Meridian is a new member of the 2001-2002 edition of Northeast Community College's country and western performing group, Campus Country. Gardner will perform as a vocalist and guitarist. Members of the band are chosen by audition each spring.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. Joseph Glazer of Meridian has been elected president of the junior class at Huntington College. Glazer also serves on the judicial board of the school's Student Government Association.
JACKSON Twelve area students were among the graduates of the University of Mississippi Medical Center on May 19. Those receiving their doctor of medicine degrees were:
David Towfig Batarseh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Towfig Batarseh of Meridian. The 1996 graduate of Mississippi State University will begin surgery-preliminary residency training at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga Unit;
Andy Paul Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie L. Brown of Meridian. The 1996 graduate of Millsaps College will begin residency training in family medicine and diagnostic radiology at UMC;
Katherine Null Montgomery, daughter of Tommy Null of Meridian and Sherry Jones of Meridian. A 1996 graduate of Millsaps College, she will begin residency training in preliminary medicine and diagnostic radiology at UMC; and
Keith Derek Thorne, son of Mr. and Mrs. James L. Thorne of Toomsuba. The 1991 graduate of Mississippi State University will begin residency training in internal medicine at UMC.
A master's degree in nursing was received by Brandie Dean Buckley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Dean of Chunky.
Stephanie Elizabeth Parker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Parker of Meridian received her bachelor's degree in clinical lab science.
Benjamin Richard Patterson, son of Doug and Faye Mathis of Meridian, received his bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
Recipients of bachelor of science degrees in nursing include: Gregory Stephen Alexander, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Alexander of Meridian; Natalie Michelle Crawford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim McLaurin of Meridian; Merrick Anna Greene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry R. Greene of Meridian; Melissa Catherine Lang, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irby Lang of Meridian; and Angie Rachelle Robinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky E. Robinson of Meridian.
The following students from the area received honors in the Meridian Community College Fine Arts Students Competition:
Angelia Buie of Bailey, best of show for untitled drawing; Amber Winford of Meridian, first place in painting for "Untitled Interior," honorable mention for "The Beach," first place in graphic design for "Shell Menu"; Will Gill of Marion, second place in painting for "Quiet Interior," first place in ceramics for "Man and Woman,"; Anson Norwood of Meridian, second place in ceramics for "Full Moon Drum"; Marnisha McMullen of Meridian, honorable mention in ceramics for "Dolphins"; Brett Holloway of Meridian, second place in design for "Promise in LaLa Land"; Suzanne Poole of Meridian, first place in drawing for "Open Up," honorable mention in design for "3-Way"; Jennifer Kopf of Meridian, second place in drawing for an untitled work; Lacy Key of Meridian, second place in graphic design for "European Adventure"; Connie Agent of Meridian, honorable mention in graphic design for an untitled work.