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PEARL – Fifteen ºù«Ӱҵ students were named to the 2018 All-Mississippi Community College Academic Team, tops among the state’s 15 two-year colleges.

Honored among 15 students overall and named Academic First Team at a ceremony March 28 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus was Holt Hunter, of Hermanville, a student at the Raymond Campus. Hunter is a computer science major and president of the Gamma Lambda chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. He is also a 3E Outstanding Student and won second place in the most recent Hack State competition for computer science students.

Each of the college’s six locations are represented in the all-academic awards. One student from each of the state’s 15 community colleges is recognized first-team.

Named to the Academic Second Team were:

• Taylor Ballard, of Vicksburg, a student at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, general studies major
• Jamye Davis, of Edwards, a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, nursing major
• Jeffery Fairley, of Jackson, a student at the Utica Campus, biology major
• Danielle Gipson, of Brandon, a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, respiratory care technology major
• Jaylon Gooden, of Jackson, a student at the Utica Campus, radio/television production & broadcasting technology
• Zerrian Greenwood, of Brandon, a student at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center, general studies major
• Samantha Hawn, of Vicksburg, a student at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, general studies major
• Claudia Nelson, of Brandon, a student at the Rankin Campus, general studies major
• Kena Span, of Jackson, a student at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center, general studies major
• Nettie Stauts, of Vicksburg, a student at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, early childhood development technology major
• Joanna Stevens, of Terry, a student at the Raymond Campus, biochemistry major
• Hannah Stovall, of Brandon, a student at the Rankin Campus, general studies major
• Abigail Walters, of Vicksburg, a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, nursing major
• Brianna Watkins, of Lake Charles, La., a student at the Utica Campus, accounting major

In addition, Hunter and Nelson were named 2018 Coca-Cola Academic Team scholars. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by PTK. As a Gold scholar under the designation, Hunter will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Nelson, as a Bronze scholar, will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The All-Mississippi Academic Team, begun in 1994 as the first state-level academic recognition program for community and junior college students, recognizes the scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in community and junior colleges across the state. This year’s 63 team members were selected following several rounds of judging from education officials, business leaders from across the United States and a distinguished panel of representatives from federal agencies and national education associations based in Washington D.C.

Students named to the First Team received $1,000 scholarships. First and Second Team members receive special medallions, certificates and printed resolutions from each chamber of the Mississippi Legislature. They are also eligible for scholarships at many four-year universities designed exclusively for All-Mississippi Academic Team members.

The All-State team is coordinated by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College, the Mississippi Community College Board and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Dr. Steve Bishop, president of Southwest Mississippi Community College, is the program chair.

The All-State Academic Team recognition program is an outgrowth of the All-USA Community College Academic Team, administered by Phi Theta Kappa. Twenty students named to the team will receive $100,000 in scholarships.