“Mississippi Scholars is a highly successful initiative because community and business leaders make an investment in their local schools. These leaders go into high school classrooms and make presentations encouraging and challenging students to raise the bar for themselves and take more rigorous courses. In May 2009 over 3,000 students heard the message, met the challenge and graduated as Mississippi Scholars. Just think what our students could do and our state could become with a more qualified workforce that strived to get ahead rather than just get by.”
Becky Montgomery
Mississippi Power Company
Manager of Community Affairs
Past Chair, Public Education Forum of Mississippi
“Participating in the Mississippi Scholars program has been a true value to our community and state. Each year we see more and more students challenging themselves and graduating as Mississippi Scholars. I wanted to be an integral part to the Community Development Foundation’s efforts and to continue to promote graduation throughout our state."
Wayne Averett
The Renasant Center for IDEAs in Tupelo, Mississippi
"Choosing to be a Mississippi Scholar was difficult. I have always struggled with math, and required courses included trigonometry, chemistry and pre-calculus. I made it through them all with passing grades. If it weren't for Mississippi Scholars, I would not have taken these challenging classes and I would not be as college-ready as I am now. Thank you for challenging me to be the best I can be!"
Caroline Driskell
2011 Graduate, Brookhaven High School, Brookhaven, Mississippi
“If you want a good life for you and your loved ones, you must be ready for any obstacles. You need an education, a good, well-paying job and a firm structure to support your choices. Without those things, you lack the basis for a stable life. Without something to fall back on, how will your children get an education? Think about it.”
Isis Cole
East Central Middle School
“I am going to take school more seriously than I did before, because an education is what I need and I'm not going to let anyone or anything stand in my way.”
Timothy Jones
Magnolia Junior High School
