Excellence in education

By Staff
July 8, 2004
Erien Renee Watson of Meridian is attending the second session of Summer College for High School Students on the campus of the University of Mississippi in Oxford through Aug. 3.
The goal of Summer College is to prepare students to succeed in college while broadening their intellectual and cultural foundations through in-depth study in selected fields of interest and exploration of many others.
Angela Perez Blanks of Marion has been awarded a Community College scholarship to attend the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Ala. The award is based on academic achievement and proven leadership potential.
Blanks, who has attended Meridian Community College, plans to major in biology.
Michael Jason Pearson of Meridian has been awarded a Community College scholarship to attend the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Ala. The award is based on academic achievement and proven leadership potential.
Pearson, who attended Meridian Community College, plans to pursue a career in mathematics and computer information systems.
AXA Advisors in Ridgeland announced that Aakeela Hudnall, a student at Meridian High School, has won a $2,000 AXA Achievement Community Scholarship.
The 2004 AXA Achievement Community Scholarships were created to bring advice and access to higher education into every community in which AXA has a presence.
Every AXA Advisors' branch office nationwide is participating in awarding up to five $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors who live and attend school in their area.
Funded by the AXA Foundation, AXA Achievement was established in September 2002 and was developed in response to the financial barriers faced by college bound high school students.
AXA Advisors is a leading provider of financial services for consumers and businesses, working with clients to help them define and meet their financial goals.
AXA Advisors is a subsidiary of AXA Financial Inc., whose affiliates and subsidiaries include The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.
Kristi Marie Greer of Meridian has been awarded a Trustee Scholarship to attend the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Ala. The award is based on academic achievement and proven leadership potential.
Greer, a graduate of Southeast Lauderdale Attendance Center, will enter UWA this fall and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
The People to People Student Ambassador Program has selected Josh Stroud of Thibodaux, La., to join a delegation of high school students from Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi to travel and study in Japan this summer.
He is a sophomore at E. D. White Catholic High School and is the son of Bettye and J.B. Stroud of Thibodaux. He is the grandson of Mr. A. M. McPhail and the late Rosalyn McPhail of Collinsville.
This will be the third summer Stroud has participated in the Student Ambassador program. In 2002, he traveled to six European countries including England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. After visiting in Australia and New Zealand in 2003, he was selected Junior High Student Ambassador of the Year, a national award.
The student ambassadors will spend approximately three weeks learning about the government, economy and culture of Japan through various types of activities.
They will be received at embassies and ministries, have discussions with industry and trade officials and interact with local high school students. The delegation will travel to Mt. Fuji and Peace Memorial Park as well as visit temples, castles and shrines.
As part of their overseas experience, student ambassadors will have home visits with Japanese host families. Hosts will include the American guests in everyday activities, enabling the ambassadors to gain an understanding of the ways people live and work in Japan.
Each delegate is selected through a nomination process, a recommendation by teachers and a personal interview with members of a People to People screening committee.
The program is operated under the auspices of People to People International. Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in September 1956, the organization strives to further international goodwill and understanding.