April 28, 2026

East Mississippi Community College held its annual Awards Day ceremony recognizing academic excellence April 27 in the Stennis Hall auditorium on the Scooba campus.

During the event, EMCC instructors in academic, career-technical and Nursing and Health Sciences programs of study recognized their outstanding students from the past year. Student athletes, members of the Mighty Lion Band, and the cheerleading team were also recognized, as were members of Phi Theta Kappa, the Student Government Association, the Student Ambassadors, and the Voices of Victory Gospel Choir.

EMCC instructors presented their top students of the year plaques during the ceremony. Some students earned multiple awards and some instructors who taught more than one class presented more than one award. Not all students recognized were able to attend the event.

Dean of Instruction Dr. Jairus Johnson served as the master of ceremonies. Vice President of Instruction Dr. James Rush provided the welcome, and the concluding remarks were offered by Dean of Students/Director of Athletics Sharon Thompson.

Here is a list of students who received awards and the areas for which they were recognized:

Academic and Career Technical students

Outstanding First Aid and CPR Student: Anna Kelly

Outstanding Class Piano Student: Anthony Cooley

Outstanding Studio Art Student: Arthur Shinn

Outstanding Human Anatomy and Physiology I Student: Arthur Shinn

Outstanding Human Anatomy and Physiology II Student: Arthur Shinn

Outstanding General Biology 1 Student: Avery Knight

Outstanding Computer Networking Technology Freshman: Braylon Nicholson

Outstanding Honors Leadership Student: Brendan Meachum

Outstanding General Psychology Student: Caden Pearsell

Outstanding Western Civilizations II Student: Charlie W. Musgrove

Outstanding Principles of Accounting II Student: Christopher Evan Hilliard

Outstanding Micro/Path Student: Chyna Edwards

Outstanding Western Civilizations I Student: Conner A. Lewis

Outstanding Marketing & Merchandising Student: Demi Geisbrecht

Outstanding Mortuary Anatomy Student: Demi Giesbrecht

Outstanding Business Law Student: Demi Giesbrecht

Outstanding Funeral Directing Student: Demi Giesbrecht

Outstanding Restorative Art I Student: Demi Giesbrecht

Outstanding General Chemistry I Student: Elizabeth Verucchi

Outstanding Trigonometry Student: Elizabeth Verucchi

Outstanding College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra Student: Faith Wilson

Outstanding Public Speaking Student: Gracey Dertinger

Outstanding Child Psychology Student: Hannah Borden

Outstanding Principles of Accounting I Student: Henry J. Salvador

Outstanding Computer Networking Technology Student: Jacarius Lanier

Outstanding Sophomore Theory Student: Jackson Thompson

Outstanding Forestry Technology Student: Jackson Vowell

Outstanding Clinical Excellence Student: Jalesiya Harris

Outstanding Freshman Theory Student: Jaquelin Balderas

Outstanding Marketing Seminar Student: Jaqueria Esters

Outstanding Social Media Student: Jermichael Hooks

Outstanding Calculus II Student: John Meador

Outstanding Pre-College Algebra Student: Jonathan Bryant

Outstanding Psychosocial Student: Jordan Butler

Outstanding Principles of Biology II Student: Kamryn Tallie

Outstanding Human Growth and Development Student: Kamyia Fultz

Outstanding Electrical Technology Student: Kendarrius Ashford

Outstanding Academic Achievement: Kimbreyanna Morris

Outstanding Foundations of Education Student: Kinsley Briggs

Outstanding American U.S. History II Student: Latia M. Brantley

Outstanding Introduction to Sociology I Student: Latia M. Brantley

Outstanding Restorative Art II Student: Lexi Crernshaw

Outstanding Embalming Student: Maddyx McNatt

Outstanding Marketing Management Student: Madison Moody

Outstanding American U.S. History I Student: Makiya Pickens

Outstanding Statistics Student: Makiya Pickens

Outstanding Microbiology Student: Makiya Pickens

Outstanding American Literature Student: Marjie Byrne

Outstanding Mortuary Law Student: Mary Kilpatrick

Outstanding Basketball Theory Student: Matthan Weaver

Outstanding Film as Literature Student: Miller Blaylock

Outstanding Psychology of Personal Adjustment Student: Ramiyah Price

Outstanding Digital Media Student: Rawson Tiller

Outstanding Computer Networking Technology Student: Rhys Turner

Outstanding Principles of Marketing Student: Ricjavious Ervin

Outstanding English Composition II Student: Robert Miles

Outstanding Personal and Community Health Student: Roberth Campos

Outstanding College Algebra Student: Roberth Campos

Outstanding Welding Student: Samantha Todd

Outstanding Introduction to Kinesiology, Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Student: Savannah Fralix

Outstanding Principles of Biology 1 Student: Shaness Lee

Outstanding Advertising Student: Skyla Collier

Outstanding Funeral Service Arts Student: Summer Love

Outstanding Art Appreciation Student: Tela Moffett

Outstanding Sophomore Aural Skills Student: Trinton Nash

Outstanding Writing for Electronic Media Student: Tyler Harden

Outstanding Creative Writing I Student: Tyson Phinisey

Outstanding Freshman Aural Skills Student: Tyson Phinisey

Outstanding British Literature I & II Student: Tyson Phinisey

Outstanding English Composition I Student: Yazmiunna Beck

 

Nursing and Health Sciences

Outstanding Associate Degree Nursing Academic Achievement Award: Kelli Upchurch

Outstanding Associate Degree Nursing Clinical Excellence Award: Jazmyne Martin

Outstanding Practical Nursing Academic Achievement Award: Kimbreyanna Morris

Outstanding Practical Nursing Clinical Excellence Award: Jalesiya Harris

 

Athletics

Student athletes with the highest grade point average in their respective sports were recognized during Awards Day. Three athletes in softball tied for the highest GPA, and two tied in baseball. The award recipients are:

Baseball: Stephen Eakes, Jack Willis

Basketball (men): Donovan Griffin

Basketball (women): Bailey Siddell

Football: Trey Irving

Golf (men): Bryce Shivers

Golf (women): Kaylee Dufrene

Rodeo: Grady Harris

Soccer (men): Matthew Wolvers

Soccer (women): Savannah Scott

Softball: Allee Bennett, Reese Edwards, Blayne Sturgeon

 

Cheerleading

Kaylee Goss was presented The Mighty Lion Award for providing exemplary service to the cheerleading team.

 

Mighty Lion Band

Outstanding Freshman Written Theory Student: Jaquelin Balderas

Outstanding Sophomore Written Theory Student: Jackson Thompson 

Outstanding Freshman Aural Skills Student: Tyson Phinisey 

Outstanding Sophomore Aural Skills Student: Trinton Nash

Outstanding Class Piano Student: Anthony Cooley

 

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa All Mississippi Academic Team members Miller Blaylock and Brendan Meachum were recognized, as was Phi Theta Kappa Order of the Golden Key recipient Jeremiah Linebarker.

 

Student Government Association

Student Government Association officers were recognized. They are Gabrielle Glenn, president; Anslee Mason, vice president; Jeremiah LineBarker, treasurer, Miller Blaylock, representative, and Anna-Kaye Bennet, representative.

 

Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors for the Scooba campus were recognized for their service to the college. They are Gabrielle Glenn, Jayden Shelton, Faith Wilson, Torii Smith, Ainsley Orr, Jeremiah Linebarker, Anna Kaye Bennett, Seth Martin, Chynna Williams, Kyleigh Moore, Kannon Ward, Coleman Tingle, James Taylor, Gracey Dertringer, Jeana Dudley, Trinton Nash, Kaylee Goss, Annagrace Stewart, Reagan Snell, Nevaeh Moore, and Stephen Eakes.

 

Voices of Victory Gospel Choir

The Voices of Victory Gospel Choir was recognized for being named the Golden Triangle Area Music Awards College Choir of the Year. The choir members are Regan Snell, Anthony Cooley, Asia Price, Jaden Dell, Erion Lanier, Abigail Black, Mariah Hill, Brady Stokes, Christian Hopson, Kyle Richardson, McKenzie Woods, Tyler Nicholson, Jonathan Bryant, Kensley Brooks, Alexandria Perkins, Antraneisha Brewer, Zoie Williams, Dallas Lee, Ollan Thomas, Cameon Thompson, RaSharna Gaines, Jamaya O’Briant, DeMarion Brown, Amori Harris, Jayla Harrington, Heavenly Shumpert, Ray Davidson, Juwan Evans, Zachariah Hill, Kyleigh Moore, Jaden Jennings, Antais Degraffenreid, director of music, Damian Ross, former president, James Trimuel, vice president, and Nevaeh Moore, president.