Excellence in Education

By Staff
Aug. 29, 2002
Twenty-nine seventh-grade students at Northeast Middle School have been selected to participate in the 2002-2003 Duke University Talent Identification Program.
The purpose of the talent search is to assist young people with excellent mathematical or verbal aptitude by providing them with information about their abilities and then introducing them to a network of services and programs.
Students are selected based on their performance on a standardized test to enter this Duke University program. They are invited to complete either the SAT 1: Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination.
The seventh-grade students selected to participate: Valerie Penn, Chelsea Garrett, Sam McGee, Kelsey Kern, Katy Weires, Bailey Dorman, Brittany Fryery, Heather Hasselle, Mollie Row, Tyler McDonald, Joshua Graham, Daniel Harmon, Amie Clayton, Donita Scott, Daniel Polifka, Wendall Hudnall, Austin Shier, Donnie McCartney, David Zabinski, Chris Boyette, Tyler Yates, Sara Beth Courtney, Nickolas Hamrick, Brittany Archangel, Kyle Williams, Ashlyn Newell, Kyle Gilson, Sierra Sikes and Bailey Null.
PHILADELPHIA SkillsUSA-VICA adviser Bill Norcross and two high school students elected as state officers Reporter Jessica Pumroy and Treasurer Danny Williamson recently traveled to Orlando, Fla., to attend the annual SkillsUSA-VICA Leadership Development Academy.
High school and college students from 13 states attended the conference for technical education students to improve their personal and leadership skills. An important part of their training involved community service projects in Orlando.
The annual SkillsUSA-VICA Leadership Academy provides advanced study for students in leadership and management skills. Instructors receive advance training on teaching leadership in their own classrooms. Approximately 75 students and 40 instructors enrolled for the conference.
Participants who successfully completed their assignments received the organization's Regional Statesman Award.
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving 266,000 high school and college students and professional members in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations.
The Philadelphia/Neshoba County SkillsUSA-VICA chapter is a part of the Automotive Service Technology and Metal Trades Technology program at the Philadelphia/Neshoba County Vocational-Technical Center.
Jason Labutka of Meridian is one of more than 860 students participating in the Cooperative Education Program at Mississippi State University. After completing a work semester with Ryall Porter Architects in New York, Labutka will return to MSU to complete requirements toward a degree in architecture.
Mark Fleming of Philadelphia is one of more than 860 students participating in the Cooperative Education Program at Mississippi State University. After completing a work semester with Squire Creek Country Club at Rushton, La., Fleming will return to MSU to complete requirements toward a degree in golf and sports turf management.
Claire Larsen of Meridian, is one of more than 860 students participating in the Cooperative Education Program at Mississippi State University. After completing a third work semester with Holnan Inc. at Artesia, Larsen will return to MSU to complete requirements toward a degree in chemical engineering.
Robert Lee of Meridian is one of more than 860 students participating in the Cooperative Education Program at Mississippi State University. Lee is the son of Carl R. Lee. After completing a third work semester with Mississippi Department of Transportation at Jackson, Lee will return to MSU to complete requirements toward a degree in civil engineering.
Alan Holcomb has been named to "Who's Who Among American High School Students." While in high school, he was named an "Outstanding Senior" recipient of a Junior Journalist Award. He received a Leadership Scholarship and served as assistant sports editor. Holcomb played high school varsity football, basketball and track and competed in weight-lifting.
Holcomb is the son of Jan Butler Holcomb and Richard Holcomb, and the grandson of Charles Butler and the late Jean Butler, the late Emmett Holcomb and Ann Shields Holcomb.
Local students Nikolee Tedder, Jon Harman, and Brent McCarty, all of Meridian, recently attended the Mississippi Governor's School on the campus of Mississippi University for Women.
The three-week summer residential honors program was established in 1981 by former Gov. William Winter and administrators and faculty at MUW. The program is designed to provide academic, creative and leadership experiences for a limited number of rising high school juniors and seniors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement.