Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
7:55 am Thursday, August 28, 2003

Excellence in Education

By Staff
Aug. 28, 2003
Mable Hoskins Oatis, a Meridian High National Board Certified English III teacher, spent part of her summer scoring entries submitted by candidates from across the country who are pursuing National Board Certification, the highest credential in the teaching profession.
Scoring sessions operate in various locations throughout the country, including Atlanta, where Oatis served as an assessor. Oatis scored Teaching Writing, assessment center exercises that … required the candidate to respond to a student composition.
Pamelia Lynn McCann of Philadelphia has been selected to receive the Jacob Chester Frist Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College for the fall and spring semesters.
This $1,200 award is funded through the MCC Foundation.
McCann, 45, is a sophomore in the Associate Degree Nursing Program. She is a member of the Organization of Student Nurses and Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two year college students.
She works part time with Heartfelt Hospice and Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. Her plans are to enter the workforce after completion of her nursing training and possibly pursue a bachelor's of nursing degree sometime in the future.
Elizabeth Blair Richardson of Decatur has been awarded the Madeline Scott Callahan Memorial Scholarship for the fall and spring semesters at Meridian Community College.
This $900 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the East Mississippi Medical Alliance, Callahan's family and her friends.
Richardson is a sophomore in the Dental Hygiene Program. She is a 1999 graduate of Presbyterian Christian High School in Hattiesburg. She is a member of Health Occupation Students of America and treasurer of her dental hygiene class. Her plans are to pursue a bachelor's degree and possibly look toward dental school in the future.
Sophomores Karen Busby of Quitman and Tammy Helms of Collinsville have been awarded the William D. Mobley Dental Hygiene Scholarships for the fall and spring semesters at Meridian Community College.
These $720 awards are funded through the MCC Foundation.
Helms, 33, is a graduate of West Lauderdale High School. A president's list scholar, she was tapped for membership in Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two year college students.
She is married and the mother of two children. She is a member of Health Occupation Students of America.
Busby is a 2001 honor graduate of Quitman High School, where she was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and cheerleading squad.
At MCC, she is a member of Health Occupation Students of America and was named to the president's list. She plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene.

Also on Franklin County Times
State rankings | Red Bay rises, hits first poll since 2020
High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Sports
By A. Stacy Long For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
Red Bay has pulled into the state rankings for the first time in five years. The Tigers are 10th in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association Clas...
Principals honored by city’s school board
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — The City Schools Board of Education recognized the system’s principals during its Oct. 21 meeting. Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn describ...
Rickman: ‘I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore’
Main, News, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
TUSCUMBIA — When Carrie Rickman felt something unusual during a routine self-check in June 2018, she trusted her instincts. “I was just taking a showe...
Cultura Garden Club hosts district meeting
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
October 29, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club hosted the Garden Clubs of Alabama District 1 meeting at North Highlands Church of Christ. The theme of the meeting was “Roots...
Medicare Advantage helps preserve choice for seniors
Columnists, Opinion
October 29, 2025
In every corner of Alabama, one concern comes up repeatedly with family health care. Seniors worry about keeping it affordable. People with disabiliti...
Honoring his mother on Día de los Muertos
News, Russellville
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — When José Figueroa-Cifuentes lights a candle, he’s not just illuminating a wick — he’s keeping his mother’s legacy alive. A signature l...
Students respond to lure of competitive fishing
Belgreen Bulldogs, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Red Bay Tigers, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — A new countywide fishing team is giving more Franklin County students the chance to cast a line and compete. The Franklin County Angler...
UNA can’t figure out how to win on the road
Sports
David Glovach For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The setting was different — the town, the stadium, the opposing team. The scene facing North Alabama, however, was the same leavi...

Leave a Reply

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