In a recent press release from Mary Catherine Brooks, Delta Council, Mississippi State University Delta Research & Extension Center, eight Sunflower County high school seniors were honored along with other students from across the multiple counties served by the Delta Council.
The honorees are: Cori Barnett--North Sunflower Academy, Jacorriah Bracey--Thomas E. Edwards, Sr. High School, Ashley Gordon--Gentry High, Journey Grayer--Gentry High, Kalia Lockett--Thomas E. Edwards, Sr. High School, James Roberts--Indianola Academy, Jillian Roberts--Indianola Academy and Hannah Utz--North Sunflower Academy.
The students are usually featured in an honors presentation during the Council's annual session; however, this year due to COVID-19, Delta Council postponed the annual meeting. The news release stated that this is only the third time in over eight decades that the meeting has been altered and the decision was not made lightly.
It said that the first time the meeting was changed was during World War II, the second was during the Flood of 2011, and now the coronavirus in 2020.
Brooks wrote, “For 16 years, Delta Council has bestowed special honor upon two exemplary students from each of the high schools throughout the 19-county Mississippi Delta Region, including public, parochial and private schools, at the Delta Council annual meeting. Students are selected by school administrators based on leadership, extra-curricular, scholastic, and community service.”
In addition, a $2,500 scholarship is awarded to the top Delta Honor Graduate, as selected by higher education officials in the Delta, to help defray tuition and expenses as the student’s college of choice sees fit.
“Delta Council is grateful to recognize these special young men and women throughout the Delta,” said Tom Gresham of Indianola, President of Delta Council. “Our message to these young people is to continue your high achievements in education and leadership by going to college, but please come home to Mississippi and the Delta to help us continue to make our communities better.”
As a result of Delta Council Day being postponed until after the onset of the fall school semester, the Salute to Delta Honor Graduates ceremony was canceled for 2020, but the students’ honors and great achievements has not gone overlooked by Delta Council staff and supporters.
Delta Honor Graduates will receive a certificate signed by Governor Tate Reeves and Delta Council President Tom Gresham certifying that each student is celebrated as a Delta Honor Graduate of 2020. Each student will also be invited to and recognized at the fall meeting of 2020.
The recipient of the $2500 scholarship has not been announced yet, but the Council extends congratulations to all students who have been chosen by their schools as a Delta Honor Graduate for the year of 2020.
