Honor society selects White for scholar team
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WhiteSpecial to The Herald
Jordy White was among the six Jones County Junior College sophomores recently nominated for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s New Century Scholars/All-State American Team honors.
These students were selected because they maintained a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA, have taken challenging academic courses, have completed a minimum of 36 hours, are busy serving the community and college in various ways and did well in an interview with the scholarship committee.
White, of Benton, is a pre-med major.
“These are six of our best and brightest students who have high GPAs, multiple academic awards and honors, and are very actively involved in their communities,” said Dr. Laverne Ulmer, JCJC VP of Institutional Affairs and Assessment. “It was a challenge to narrow the group down to our two nominees. They are all winners and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments. Look for these students to achieve many things in their upcoming careers.”
White’s activities and honors include being a Jones Ambassador, a PTK officer, a member of the Student Government Association, Science Club, and a Charles Pickering Honors College student. Both students have made the President’s List honor roll and have earned the Letter “J” Award, while keeping a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Now the students will furiously work on writing about their volunteer efforts for the PTK selection committee.
“There is some pressure because we want to show that we are able to meet our administrators’ expectations,” said White. “This is also the centennial year for Jones so it feels like this should be the year we win everything and we hope we do.”
White spent two weeks last summer in Ghana, Africa with students from Delta State University teaching orphaned children science, math and English, and holding Bible school at night.
“The fact we could share a father’s/mothers love was important to them,” White said. “The kids need affection.”
The USA Today Academic Team program annually recognizes 60 outstanding two-year college students. First, Second, and Third Teams, each consisting of 20 members, are selected from the nominees. The 20 First Team members receive stipends of $2,500 each. All 60 members of the All- USA Academic Team and their colleges receive extensive national recognition through coverage in USA TODAY.
Dear Editor,
The decision by the present school board not to renew the teaching and coaching contract of Mr. Archie Carlyle was a planned and calculated act of politics. This kind of thing has been happening for years.
They didn’t follow policies or procedures in this matter. The state’s report on the district asked the board to stop interfering in this kind of situation, but it seems they didn’t get the memo.
My mother always put her 11 children first in making decisions for their futures. It is clear this board did not do that.
Mr. Carlyle’s only crime was putting his students first. I feel like Jesus, when he told the people at the well, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
I and the 800 people who have signed the petition calling for Carlyle’s return can find no fault in his dedication to our community. We are being laughed at across the state, and on Facebook and Twitter.
Our community is losing faith in our ability to work in a productive and successful district. The Yazoo Herald’s sports editor called it a “travesty.” I ask the question, where are all those Christian folks, his co-workers, his pastor and his fellow church members?
Where are the athletes, past and present, and most of all where are the parents? He has mothered and fathered when you were unable to make it to a game or on the road, giving your children heart-to-heart talks of motivation and encouragement both in the halls of our schools and on the streets of this community. Now he deserves your support in this critical matter.
This affects us all, black and white, because the future of our community is at stake. I am asking everyone to show as much concern about this matter as they do during election time.
Mr. Clifton Jones, I sat on the school board when you and your wife in a 3 to 2 vote were denied what you rightfully deserved. When you first ran for alderman you were the only politician I ever spent an entire day with, walking the streets because I believed in you. When I ran for mayor as an independent, I endorsed McArthur Straughter in the primary. Many people thought I was crazy, but I was exercising my rights.
Mr. Aubry Brent Jr., I followed you from Vicksburg to Belzoni and saw people commit perjury to defeat you. When citizens support a candidate, they want something in return. As a citizen with the 800 petitioners, we are calling in our wager. Just get the record of the board of that decision, which is public record. Check the timeline of the action, and you will be amazed. Next month you will appoint or reappoint a board member, but before you do we deserve answers.
If you find me wrong I will come back and sit before you and the school board and give a public apology. Everyone deserves their day in court, and Mr. Carlyle certainly does.
What you do or don’t do will determine the caliber of teachers and coaches willing to come into our community and work with our children.
Johnny Staples
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