Excellence in education

By Staff
June 21, 2001
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Jay Ajit Kher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ajit B. Kher, and Hailey Elizabeth Wile, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Wile, both of Meridian, have received bachelor's degrees from Vanderbilt University.
Kher, a neuroscience major, is a cum laude graduate from the College of Arts and Science.
Wile, a human and organizational development and English major graduated cum laude from the Peabody College of education and human development.
Haley Diane McPhail of Collinsville has accepted membership in the Golden Key National Honor Society. Membership is by invitation to high school juniors and seniors. She is the daughter of Mark and Wanda McPhail.
RAYMOND Brent H. Still of Meridian has been named to the Hinds Community College-Raymond Campus Dean's List for the spring semester.
JACKSON Area sophomores Mary Kathryn Covert of Meridian High School, Dave Hicks of Lamar High School and Melinda Mallard of Northeast High School recently attended the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership three-day seminar.
Students are chosen for the program by their schools based on leadership ability and a willingness to learn. The program focuses on leadership, volunteerism and motivation.
NOTRE DAME, Ind. Sarah Marie Balzli, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. Thomas Balzli of Meridian, has been named to the Dean's List at the University of Notre Dame for the spring semester. Balzli is a senior in the university's College of Arts and Letters, majoring in English with a minor in theology.
Meagan E. Scott of Meridian will be in Atlanta July 5-8 for Alpha Gamma Delta's 41st International Convention. Scott is the president of the Theta Theta chapter at Mississippi State University.
Sheila Ethridge of Meridian has been appointed community coordinator for the local region of PAX the Program of Academic Exchange designed to match international foreign exchange students with sponsor homes.
Ethridge and assistant coordinator Regenna Greenlee are currently interviewing area families interested in hosting a student from abroad.
Anyone interested in hosting a student should call (800) 555-6211.
MONTEVALLO, Ala. Joseph Mure of Meridian has been named to the President's List for the spring semester at the University of Montevallo.
READ 180, a technology-based reading program, will be expanded in Scott County next school year due to a Goals 2000 grant award.
Scott County School District was one of 75 Mississippi school districts to receive a grant award. The school district has been awarded $75,000 to contribute to expansion of the program that has been piloted in one section of Scott Central Attendance Center's fourth-grade during the 2000-2001 school year.
Project plans will expand the program to serve fourth- and sixth-graders at Scott Central and fourth-grade students at Lake Middle School. Students will receive eclectic instruction in reading using technology, recorded books, traditional teacher instruction and independent reading. Each 180 classroom will be equipped with seven new computers, a laser printer, READ 180 software, video CDs and recorded books. Teachers involved in the project will begin receiving training this summer.