Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
8:36 pm Saturday, March 16, 2002

Excellence in Education

By Staff
Meridian Community College fine arts, computer technology and occupational program students received several awards in recent state competitions.
Art students brought home eight awards from the Mississippi Community/Junior College Art Instructors competitive art exhibition at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Penny McCall won first in drawing; Maria Owzova received third place in three-dimensional design and sculpture. Honorable mentions were given to Nicholas Westbrook, painting; Casey Nelson, drawing; Grant Inman and Kenneth Deaton, two-dimensional design; Memory Goines, photography; and Casey Nelson, three-dimensional design and sculpture.
Fourteen community colleges entered the contest.
MCC's Phi Beta Lambda Computer Technology Chapter also brought home first place awards from state contest held in Jackson.
First place winners were Aaron Wilson, information management; and Greg Adams, Kathy Avera, Lakesha Beamon and Tuandelia Williams, parliamentary procedure. Robert Schambura and Kendall Brown, Matt Dearman and Shelby Proaps took second for public speaking and network design, respectively. Darrell Merritt won fourth for accounting principles.
Tuandelia Williams was tapped as state vice president. The chapter also took a first place award for its annual business report, was selected as a Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit and was named largest local chapter.
MCC Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) students also brought home the gold from the state VICA contest held in Jackson.
Winning gold were Chad Thompson, sheet metal; and Aaron Sibley, mechatromics; taking silver were Derrick Boyd, residential plumbing; Richard Brennaman, architectural drafting; Jason Mowdy, cabinet making; and earning the bronze was Christy Breen, extemporaneous speaking.
LIVINGSTON, Ala. The University of West Alabama has received a congressionally-authorized $100,000 grant for the University's eCampus initiative. The grant was secured with the help of Sen. Jeff Sessions and UWA was notified of the grant award by the U. S. Department of Education.
The grant will be used to further enhance the university's eCampus concept and improve technology needs of students and faculty.
UWA's eCampus initiative, directed by the eCampus Task Force, is designed to ensure convenient computer access for all UWA students and to include computer technology in all aspects of campus life.
The university has a list of technology needs including hardware, software and campus electronic infrastructure.
Northwest Junior High School students competed as a Mathcounts Team in regional math competition at Meridian Community College on Feb. 23.
The team consisted of Hunter Futch, Kimberly Denton, Trey Grissett and Cary Cox. The team placed third overall and Futch placed fifth in the individual competition.
Five Northwest Junior High School students were named Students of the Month for February. They included Jessica Lucovich, Nick Norman, Daniel Johnson, Kara Harwell and Andrew Havron.
Students of the Month are selected by teachers based on citizenship and grades.

Also on Franklin County Times
First Metro Bank donates $250K to hospital
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville Hospital has received a $250,000 donation from First Metro Bank through a state tax credit program. “All rural hospitals a...
PC grad had role in Artemis II launch
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Bernie Delinski and María Camp 
April 8, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Noah Williams stood in a grassy field at Kennedy Space Center on April 1 about seven miles from the Artemis II launch pad. It was the ...
Locals react to US’s 10-day space flight
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rocky Stone, former Russellville High School principal, called last week’s Artemis II launch a “milestone” in the United States’ space ...
Gray hired as UNA director of bands
News
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
FLORENCE — Joseph Gray has been named the next director of bands for the University of North Alabama. He will also serve as an associate professor of ...
Students take part in ‘Adulting 101’ event
Franklin County, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – About 200 Franklin County high school seniors took part in an “Adulting 101” event at the Franklin County Career Technical Center in Be...
Kiwanis Club returns; Key Club planned
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Kiwanis Club has returned to Russellville. Members gathered last week at Calvary Baptist Church to review bylaws, elect officers an...
Bridge work moves forward on SR 243
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Construction of a new bridge over Cedar Creek on SR 243 is moving forward as crews recently completed a major step in the project. Last...
Neighbors steps down as chairman of Democrats
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rick Neighbors has stepped down as chair of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee, citing personal commitments he said no ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *