NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: July 20, 2007

Contact: Tony Webster, Director of Scholastic Development, 601-359-4305
Caron Blanton, APR, Director of Communications, 601-359-3706

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program Recipients Announced

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program announces that 64 Mississippi high school seniors will receive a scholarship award of $1,500 annually for up to four years as part of the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. The award, which is named for the long-time West Virginia legislator, is designed to recognize and reward students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. The scholarship is not awarded based on financial need.

A number of factors are considered in the selection of “Byrd Scholars,” including standardized test scores, grade point average, participation in extracurricular and leadership activities, and honors and awards received. The national scholarship program is administered through the Mississippi Department of Education's Scholastic Development Office and is open to all high school seniors in public, private, and parochial schools.

“The Mississippi Department of Education has taken action to ensure that all Mississippi students are made aware of this national scholarship program,” said Dr. Tony Webster, Director of Scholastic Development. “After notifying Superintendents, Principals, Headmasters, and Counselors, the scholarship program information and the application are posted on the

Department's Web site, along with information about many other scholarships available to Mississippi high school students.”

More than 2,500 students applied for this year's scholarships, representing the state's four congressional districts. “A very large number of students utilized the Web site to apply for the Byrd Scholarship Program as well as other scholarship programs,” Webster said. “We were extremely pleased with the response to this year's program and would like to thank all the students who applied and wish them continued success in their educational endeavors.”

2007 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program

Scholarship Recipients

Congressional District 1

Adrian Turner – Tupelo High School

Audrey Bardwell – Heritage Academy

Brittany Anderson – Houston High School

Brittany Simpson – New Albany High School

Cameron White – Tupelo High School

Jackson Segars – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Jennifer Nichols – Tishomingo County High School

Justin MacKay – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Kristen Chunn – Ripley High School

Matthew Archer – Houston High School

Megan Pike – Tupelo High School

Michael Counihan, Jr. – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Michael Field – Oxford High School

Natalie Holland – Tupelo High School

Samuel Dickerson – Booneville High School

William Rice – Oak Hill Academy

Honorable Mention

Congressional District 1

Caitlin Allori – Tupelo High School

Caitlyn Smith – Heritage Academy

Emily Laird – Heritage Academy

Mary Francis – Amory High School

Maureen Cooper – Oak Hill Academy

Robert Chitton – South Pontotoc High School

Congressional District 2

Allison Pace – Madison Central High School

Anna Hopper – St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Ashton Balland – St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Caroline Baker – Washington School

Christina Jue – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Courtney Peacock – Madison Central High School

David Borzik – Manchester Academy

Halston Hales – Clinton High School

Jennie Thomas – Copiah Academy

Katie Fondren – Pillow Academy

Lamess El-sadek – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Leigh Cummins – Clinton High School

Lydia Wheeler – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Reed Gilbow – Cleveland High School

Sarah Miller – Clinton High School

Steven Faulks – Warren Central High School

Honorable Mention

Congressional District 2

Brittany Dong – Lee Academy

Cole Mortimer – Pillow Academy

Jada Selma – Vicksburg High School

Josh Tisdale – Humphreys Academy

Rachel Saunders – St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Stacey Holmes – Grenada High School

Congressional District 3

Amber Cockrell – Louisville High School

Andrew Serio – St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Austin Ruckstuhl – Madison Ridgeland Academy

Bavana Ketha – Ridgeland High School

Benjamin Luke – Philadelphia High School

Carrie Willis – Pearl High School

Daniel Mullins – Franklin High School

Katelyn Dewey – Jackson Preparatory School

Katherine Watson – Winston Academy

Maria Brown – Brandon High School

Natalie Clericuzio – St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Sarah Hartzog – MS School of the Arts

Stephen Clark – Pearl High School

Taylor Scruggs – Jackson Preparatory School

Tyler Raborn – Northwest Rankin High School

William Everett – East Rankin Academy

Honorable Mention

Congressional District 3

Alison Swialtlo – St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Laura McCormick – Sylva Bay Academy

Lindsey Turk – Madison Central High School

Madison Hardy – Neshoba Central

Shelley Clark – Jackson Preparatory School

Tanya Tiwari- St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Congressional District 4

Arianna Moniuddin – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Audrey Hughes – Pascagoula High School

Chelsa Williams – Biloxi High School

George Bordelon – Presbyterian Christian High School

Hana Ali – Oak Grove High School

James Hilsabeck – Pascagoula High School

Jingfan Mico – Oak Grove High School

Joseph Wesley – Hattiesburg High School

Joshua Khani – Gulfport High School

Majel Purvis – MS School for Mathematics & Science

Michelle Nguyen – Ocean Springs High School

Neal Pavlow – Biloxi High School

Rae Quigley – Biloxi High School

Robert Hunt – Presbyterian Christian High School

Ryan Parsons – Oak Grove High School

Travis Ladner – Harrison Central

Honorable Mention

Congressional District 4

Anna Anderson – Sacred Heart High School

Daniel Rayborn – Presbyterian Christian School

Hannah Pittman – Laurel High School

James Tyler – Pascagoula High School

Jessica Bosarge – Pascagoula High School

Jimmy Johnson – Vancleave High School



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