Anna Shelby Johston recently won the 7th grade division at the MAIS District Spelling Bee. She has earned the privilege of competing in April at the state level in Jackson.

Special to The Herald

The University of Mississippi has increased the amounts for several of its "leadership scholarships" by 50 percent. A new scholarship also has been created for any entering freshman who participated in Mississippi Boys State or Girls State.
The idea is to recognize high-achieving students and encourage them to continue to aim high, said Whitman Smith, Ole Miss director of enrollment services.
"It's a deserved reward for students who have gone above and beyond," Smith said. "They should be recognized for being leaders, and they should have an incentive to come to a school where they can continue to develop their leadership skills in an academic atmosphere that will challenge them and give them what they need to achieve their full potential."
Beginning this fall, entering freshmen who were student body presidents, valedictorians or salutatorians, Eagle Scouts or Girl Scouts of America Gold Award recipients qualify for $6,000 scholarships, up from $4,000, over four years ($1,500 per year). Mississippi Boys State and Girls State participants are eligible for awards of $500 for their freshman year.
Two other scholarships – one for freshmen who were named as governor for their state's Boys State or Girls State, or who were their state's delegate to Boys Nation or Girls Nation, and another for freshmen who were selected among the top 20 All-Star Scholars by the Mississippi Economic Council – get awards of $4,000 over four years ($1,000 annually).
For more information on scholarship opportunities at UM, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/financial_aid/ or call 800-891-4596.

Miss Kimberly Jackson and Nicholas BarrettMr. and Mrs. Thomas William Jackson of Benton announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Kimberly Michelle Jackson, to Nicholas Paul Barrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Michael Barrett of Gulf Breeze, Fla. and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Milne Gething of Bradenton , Fla.
The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Louise Jackson and the late Mr. William Jackson of Bentonia and Mr. Woody White and the late Mrs. Catherine White of Yazoo City .
The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Barrett of Brandon and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Johnson of Decatur .
Miss Jackson is a 2009 graduate of Manchester Academy in Yazoo City . She earned an Associate Degree of Nursing in 2012 from Hinds Community College . She was a member of the Baptist Student Union and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and also received the Who’s Who Among Students honor.
She is currently employed at St. Dominic Hospital as a registered nurse.
Mr. Barrett graduated from University Christian in Flowood with honors in 2009.  He attended Mississippi State University . He is currently employed at Pennington and Trim Alarm Services.
The couple will exchange vows at 4 o’clock in the afternoon on Apr. 6, 2013 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Benton. Bro. David White, pastor of Black Jack Baptist Church , will officiate the double ring ceremony.  
A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
All relatives and friends are invited to attend the wedding and the reception.

Miss Jordon Zila and Johnathan YatesMr. and Mrs. James Zila of Magee are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Jordon Elizabeth Zila, to Johnathan Mark Yates, son of Mr. and Mrs Mark Yates of Magee.   
The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rusche of Benton and Mr. Larry Warrington and the late Mrs. Judy Warrington of Bentonia.  
The groom is the grandson of Mrs. Mary McKenzie East of Star  and the late Mr. and Mrs. Winford Yates of Magee.
Jordon is a 2009 honors graduate of Magee High School.  She is a 2012 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  
Johnathan is a 2009 graduate of Magee High School and a 2012 graduate of Jones Community College with an Associate degree in Civil Engineering Technology. He is currently employed with Taylor Construction in Laurel as a directional driller.
The couple will exchange vows at First Baptist Church of Magee on March 9, 2013 at 5 p.m.  
Friends and family are invited to attend the ceremony and the reception that will follow at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Dunn at 107 Zip Road in Magee.