Walmart Supports Lincoln County Scholars Program

"Walmart employees and management in the Brookhaven distribution center and trucking division truly beat the competition when it comes to community service. Their participation in the Mississippi Scholars program has had a tremendous impact on the local community. Walmart volunteers help in many areas, including Reality Town, a hands-on money management workshop for high school freshman, classroom presentations, the annual Senior Scholars banquet, the Rising Scholars program for elementary students, and parent’s night. They help make our local Mississippi Scholars program a success!"

- Kay Burton, Program Director, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce 

Walmart Donates $50,000 to Mississippi Scholars 

Walmart recently presented the Public Education Forum of Mississippi with a $50,000 contribution to support Mississippi Scholars. Walmart has been an integral part of Mississippi Scholars by not only providing financial support but also volunteer hours.

The State Scholars Initiative began as a national program to utilize business leaders to motivate students to complete a more challenging course of study in high school. Mississippi joined the State Scholars Initiative in 2003. Since then, more than 14,000 Mississippi high school students have graduated with the Mississippi Scholars distinction.

The Mississippi Scholars course of study gives students the foundation they need to succeed in a technical school, community college, university, the military or industry.

Mississippi Scholars Mission

To encourage and motivate all high school students to complete a defined, rigorous academic course of study that prepares them for successful transition to college or university coursework or vocational and technical training necessary to enter today's competitive job market.

Medallion Order Form & Year-End Report

 Mississippi Scholars Program Booklet

Pike County Chamber Holds First
Salute to Mississippi Scholars

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce recognized 138 Mississippi Scholars and awarded 23 scholarships at a banquet on April 16, 2012, at First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Summit. It was the first county-wide event that included all of high schools in Pike County: McComb High School, North Pike High School, Parklane Academy and South Pike High School.

“This is not just preparation for students for college life,” the chamber’s Chad Smith said. “This is preparation for life after high school.”

Scholarships were received from Burger King, eight from Southwest Mississippi Community College, and an additional 14 from the Chamber, which were obtained through donations from various businesses.

Addressing the students, speaker Terrance Turner said their responses to life’s challenges will determine their futures, and they are in charge of their own destinies. “Today, at this very hour, at this very minute, each of you scholars must realize your game has changed. It is you who will hinder your own dreams,” said Turner. “You must seek out your opportunities in any circumstance. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want. And if they can’t find them, they make them.”

Nissan Canton Public Schools Partnership Team Earns the February 2012 Ambassador Award

From left: Ahmad Choudhry, Clifton Goodloe, Bill Krueger, Norris Poynter, Jennifer Swanner and Wade Harris

Nissan Canton believes they have a responsibility as a leader in the community to help children by giving them the tools and encouragement they need to succeed. Putting this belief in action, the Canton Public Schools Partnership Team visited Canton schools in March 2011 to introduce the Mississippi Scholars program.

Each month, more than 35 salaried employees from Nissan Canton partner with the local school district to mentor pupils and support activities that help students increase test scores and improve graduation rates through dropout prevention.

Since starting this partnership with Nissan, the Canton School District's graduation rate has climbed from 179 students to 199 students in 2011, and the district has advanced two academic levels in state standards -- from “At Risk” to “Successful” -- in one year

Additionally, four Canton High School seniors graduated as Mississippi Scholars in 2011. To date, 15 seniors participating in the Mississippi Scholars program will graduate in May 2012 with help and encouragement from Nissan employees.

Says Clifton Goodloe, manager, Production, Canton, “As a product of the Canton school system and a former instructor, this program has been a phenomenal experience for both the students and our Nissan participants. While we cannot take full credit for the progress occurring within the schools, we know we are making a positive difference.”

Rising Mississippi Scholars Recognized

In February more than 600 Rising Mississippi Scholars were recognized from Mamie Martin Elementary School and C.H. Lipsey Middle School, combined, in Brookhaven. Pictured, from left, are Kenny Goza, customer account manager, Entergy, and Brookhaven's Mississippi Scholars coordinator; Terrance Turner, operations manager, Walmart Distribution in Brookhaven; Kay Burton, program director, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, David Culpepper, marketing director, King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven and fundraising chairman for the Mississippi Scholars program in Brookhaven; Rob McCreary, priincipal, Mamie Martin Elementary School.

Rising Scholars from Mamie Martin Elementary School display their award certificates.

Mississippi Scholars Programs in Louisville, Brookhaven
win MAPE Partnership Awards

The Mississippi Scholars program was part of two partnership awards won by Louisville and Brookhaven school districts during the 2012 Governor’s Awards presented by Mississippi Association of Partners in Education. Partnership programs from around the state were honored March 21 at a luncheon at the Jackson Hilton.

Each year MAPE recognizes creative, results-oriented partnerships that emphasize student achievement in reading, science and math, the arts, fitness and health, community involvement, and many other areas that are vital to academic enrichment.

A Governor’s Award was presented to Louisville Municipal School District and its partnership with Winston County Journal, East Central Community College, Boys & Girls Club, Mississippi Scholars, city officials and the Winston County librarian.  MAPE's Partnership Excellence Award was presented to the Brookhaven School District and its partnership with the Mississippi Scholars program.

Pike County Students Salute Mississippi Scholars

Natchez Scholars Are Future Leaders

 

"Forty Mississippi Scholars who are now seniors at Natchez High School have committed to taking more difficult courses, keeping in mind a great reward down the road." Read the story by Nicole Zema in The Natchez Democrat.    

 Entergy Awards $5,000 Grant to Public Education Forum
to Support Mississippi Scholars

The Entergy Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the Public Education Forum of Mississippi to support the Mississippi Scholars project. The goal of Mississippi Scholars is to provide a sound foundation for all students so that they will have more options upon graduation from high school. Haley Fisackerly (center), president and chief executive officer of Entergy Mississippi, Inc., presented the check to Blake Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Mississippi Economic Council, and Vickie Powell, vice president of foundation programs.

Gannett Foundation Donates $2,500 to MS Scholars

  Photo by Joe Ellis/The Clarion-Ledger

Several nonprofits, including Mississippi Scholars, recently received an infusion of funds from community grants awarded locally by the Gannett Foundation. Read the story by Gary Pettus in the Jan. 18 edition of the Clarion-Ledger.

Nissan Partners with Canton School District
to Promote Mississippi Scholars

These photos show the Nissan and Canton School District partnership in action. Events included classroom presentations by Nissan employees, a teacher appreciation luncheon hosted at the Canton plant, and a senior luncheon for Mississippi Scholars.

Nissan North America is not only in the business of producing high-quality automobiles, but also strives to enrich lives in communities where they have operations. Nissan Canton is doing just that with their latest partnership with the local school district in Canton.

Nissan employees at the Canton manufacturing facility are partnering with the Canton Public School District to introduce and encourage students to participate in Mississippi Scholars – a program which challenges students to complete a more rigorous course of study in high school than the minimum required.

Championed by Ahmad Choudhry, director of supply chain management, Nissan Canton employees recently visited 8th, 9th and 10th grade classrooms at Canton Middle School and Canton High School to discuss the benefits of signing up for Mississippi Scholars. Presentations focused on the potential income differentials between adults who drop out of school and those with a diploma, as well as those with technical and college degrees.

Through the presentations, students really began to see how education is an essential component to reaching their life goals. A total of 440 students signed up to participate for the 2011-2012 school year, and this past May, four seniors from Canton High School graduated as the district’s first Mississippi Scholars. The students were recognized at a luncheon hosted by Nissan to honor these students and their parents, and they each received a $500 scholarship toward tuition at the college of their choice.

Mississippi Scholars uses business leaders like Nissan to motivate students and encourage them to set high standards for themselves. Students also have opportunities to discuss employer expectations, job skills, budgeting and preparing for their future. Nissan believes this initiative will boost the community of Canton, assist with dropout prevention, and increase the number of well-educated, prepared and skilled residents entering the workforce. Nissan encourages other businesses and community leaders to participate in leading a Scholars program to better educate our youth and help move Mississippi forward!