Salute to Mississippi Scholars
to be held Dec. 11, 2009
11,000 Students have Graduated as Mississippi Scholars

The Public Education Forum is sponsoring the first-ever “Salute to Mississippi Scholars” luncheon in Jackson on Friday, December 11, 2009, honoring those who have served their community by getting involved and putting education first. The event will include a panel discussion and lunch and will be held from 11 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at the Jackson Marriott.

The goal of the event is two-fold: 1) To celebrate the success of Mississippi Scholars, its volunteers, schools districts, businesses and education leaders; and 2) Energize, inform, connect and inspire educators and business volunteers across the state to get involved in Mississippi Scholars.

Mississippi Scholars is a program of the Public Education Forum of Mississippi that brings business leaders into the classroom to motivate students to complete a more rigorous course of study in high school. Business leaders speak to students about the importance of higher education and attaining high-level skills for the competitive workforce. The Public Education Forum of Mississippi is an affiliate of the Mississippi Economic Council.

Since the program’s inception more than 11,000 graduating seniors have been recognized with medallions or cords for completing the Mississippi Scholars Course of Study.

“Mississippi Scholars is a highly successful initiative because community and business leaders make an investment in their local schools,” said Becky Montgomery, chair of the Public Education Forum of Mississippi and Manager of Community Affairs, Mississippi Power Company.

Schools and businesses have already successfully collaborated in some parts of Mississippi. That was demonstrated with the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. On April 27, Brookhaven-Lincoln County School District showcased 202 seniors as Mississippi Scholars. Additionally, 60 students were awarded scholarships totaling $92,500. The scholarships were funded by colleges, universities, local businesses and individuals.

“Mississippi Scholars is seeing results and is at the forefront of engaging students and the community in meeting the demands of the global economy,” said Dr. Terese Rainwater, Program Director, State Scholars Initiative, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education in Boulder, CO.

With growing momentum statewide, already more than 60 school districts, 112 high schools and more than 90 middle schools participate in Mississippi Scholars.

As of today, more than 1,200 volunteers have been trained to conduct State Scholars Initiative (SSI) Presentations. Additionally, more than 25,000 students have listened to the presentation and received the SSI materials.

“In May 2009, over 3,000 students heard the message, met the challenge and graduated as Mississippi Scholars. Just think what our students could do and our state could become with a more qualified workforce that strived to get ahead rather than just get by,” said Montgomery.

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We want to feature Mississippi student success on our pages. Email Vickie Powell at vpowell@mec.ms