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Murrah High Scholars Excel Academically Through Base Pair Health Care Program

Seven Murrah Base Pair students
Murrah Base Pair participants attended a JPS Board meeting where they were recognized for outstanding achievements during the school year. The group's sponsor is Jeffery Stokes.

Murrah science teacher and Base Pair coordinator Jeffery Stokes introduced the 15 student participants involved in this world renowned educational program. In partnership with Tougaloo College and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the program gives high school students an opportunity to conduct scientific research at the university level with mentors. This year's participants produced 43 presentations and 27 published artifacts.

The Murrah Base Pair participants for 2016-2017 were:

  • Douglas Campbell
  • Brenden Davis
  • Charles Davis
  • Ashley Szabo Johnson
  • Taia Mcafee
  • Jose Navas
  • Joseph Neyland
  • Viviek Patel
  • Amirrah Watson
  • Kira Gaddis
  • Donisha Lard
  • Andria Miller
  • Ryan Nichols
  • Kiara Smith
  • Micaiah Tillman

Despite funding challenges, the program has boosted educational outcomes for its graduates. They have received more than $12 million in scholarship offers, in recent years, and they have been accepted to every Ivy League institution since the program’s inception. The program currently has students at top academic and research institutions, like MIT, Harvard and George Washington. This year, one graduating senior, Ashley Szabo-Johnson, has been accepted into Dartmouth and Emory universities.

Base Pair will mark its 25th anniversary during the 2017-2018 academic year. It has established the Base Pair Fund to allow donors to contribute to its legacy of scientific achievement which helps prepare the next generation of science researchers, students and educators.