JPS Top Ten Seniors Honored at Annual Salute to Scholars
Each year, the Jackson Public School District joins the community in recognizing itop academic graduating seniors. The Annual Salute to Scholars recognition included a signing ceremony this year for the scholars to announce their acceptance of college and university scholarship offers. Combined they were offered more than $1.5 million in scholarships, grants and military awards.
| Source: 2016 Salute to Scholars, JPS ITV, May 26, 2016 |
"Academic Signing Day is a very important event," said JPS Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray. "Top ten drafts usually go in the first round. I encourage you to go in the first round and enjoy the biggest payoff. The time you spent studying when everyone else was playing is going to pay off."
These elite graduates accepted offers from some of the most prestigious institutions in the country, including state schools Belhaven College, Jackson State University, University of Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi, and Mississippi State University. Others chose to venture further from home to schools like New Orleans-based Xavier University, Mercer University in Georgia, Rice University in Texas and many others.
Councilman DeKeither Stamps and JPS Board President Beneta Burt joined Dr. Gray on the program to encourage the top scholars to continue doing their best.
"Be comfortable being excellent," said Councilman Stamps. "Get comfortable being around other people who are excellent. We need you to be excellent and get comfortable being excellent. You will challenge each other. The same things you learned with hard work and discipline in JPS, transfer it to your life."
"I encourage you to always do your very best," said Burt. "Even when you think no one is looking, someone is looking at you as a role model. You are affecting young people that you don't even know."
Sponsored annually by the Jackson Council PTA/PTSA and the City of Jackson, the Salute to Scholars ceremony is in keeping with the JCPTA's goal of celebrating the accomplishments of Jackson's students. The Association and the Mayor's office hold the program to showcase high-achieving students who have set and maintained high goals throughout their high school careers.
2016 Top Ten High School Scholars
| Callaway | |
|
Cotoria Blackmon |
Pearl River Community College |
|
Janelle Corley |
Jackson State University |
|
Jordan Goffner |
Belhaven University |
|
Jordan Jefferson |
Morehouse College |
|
Willie Johnson, III |
University of Mississippi |
|
Kierra Simmons |
Alcorn State University |
|
Ariana Sirgew |
University of Southern Mississippi |
|
Amber Taylor |
Jackson State University |
|
Zyria Thomas |
University of Mississippi |
|
Raven Wilson |
University of Southern Mississippi |
| Forest Hill | |
|
Elacyia Beal |
University of Southern Mississippi |
|
Lashawn Bowens |
Hinds Community College |
|
Valorie Gladney |
Jackson State University |
|
Kasey Hand |
Mississippi College |
|
Danielle McLaurin |
Mississippi State University |
|
Imonje Mignott |
Alabama State |
|
Darius Nelson |
Jackson State University |
|
Kahill Walker |
Jackson State University |
|
Alexis Williamson |
Hinds Community College |
|
Veronica Williamson |
Mary Baldwin College |
| Jim Hill | |
|
Derrick Burt, II |
Millsaps College |
|
Samantha Coleman |
Jackson State University |
|
Justin Coleman |
Tougaloo College |
|
Gabriel Gardner |
Alcorn State University |
|
Charity James |
Rust College |
|
Kennedy Jones |
Jackson State University |
|
Dazhia Stewart |
Alcorn State University |
|
Tybrea Vivians |
Alcorn State University |
|
Joslyn Wimbley |
Jackson State University |
|
Te'Yah Wright |
Alcorn State University |
| Lanier | |
|
Danica Banks |
Hinds Community College |
|
Myeisha Jack |
Jackson State University |
|
Kourtlyn Jacobs |
Jackson State University |
|
Alyssa Jones |
Mississippi State University |
|
Jaylia Kelly |
Hinds Community College |
|
Lauren Porter |
Tougaloo College |
|
Jaylin Rodgers |
Jackson State University |
|
Kesean Stokes |
Jackson State University |
|
Tiffany Thomas |
Jackson State University |
|
Domonique Turner |
Jackson State University |
| Murrah | |
|
Douglas Campbell |
Swarthmore College |
|
Charles Davis |
Rice University |
|
Rahzizi Ishakarah |
University of Southern Mississippi |
|
Banjamin Knott |
Jackson State University |
|
Chelsa Luckett |
Tougaloo College |
|
Marlo Morris |
University of Mississippi |
|
Joseph Neyland |
Mississippi State University |
|
Ashley Szabo- Johnson |
University of Southern Mississippi |
|
Jabrieka Thornton |
Mercer University |
|
Taylor White |
Xavier University |
| Provine | |
| Takeeya L. Beaman |
Alcorn State University |
|
Vanessa R. Cornelius |
Mississippi State University |
|
Samuel M. Graves |
Tougaloo College |
|
Namarah D. Lightfoot |
Jackson State University |
|
Jalyn K. Love |
Jackson State University |
|
Alisha R. McDougal |
Hinds Community College |
|
Jamira M. Odom |
Belhaven University |
|
Allison S. Riley |
University of Southern Mississippi |
|
Tyra N. Robinson |
Jackson State University |
|
Latoya J. Washington |
Belhaven University |
| Wingfield | |
|
Shamonica Banks |
Millsaps College |
|
Tyra Causey |
Millsaps College |
|
Jameria Clark |
University of Mississippi |
|
Temple Clements |
Rust College |
|
Aaliyah Grant |
Jackson State University |
|
Kelly Griffin |
Oakland City University |
|
Allure Kelly |
Hinds Community College |
|
Tiaria Mister |
Jackson State University |
|
Asia Ratliff |
Jackson State University |
|
A'Sebrean Sanders |
Mississippi State University |
