Career and College Prospects Brighten for Adult Education Graduates

The Jackson Public Schools Morrison Adult Education Center honored 17 GED graduates during a commencement ceremony and reception held Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at Murrah High School. Speakers included Isaac Norwood, Director of the Adult Education Center and Dr. Calvin Lockett, Executive Director of Special Projects. Joining other platform guests in presenting certificates to graduates were JPS Deputy Superintendent Wilbur Walters and Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason.

"This has been 20 years in the making, and I was discouraged by the math, but I made it," said graduate Willie Herring, who plans to go on to Kentucky State University.

More than 70 students have earned their GED certificates through the Morrison Adult Education Center in the 2015-2016 school year. [MORE]

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• 2016 Adult Education Graduation

Callaway Seniors Inspire Elementary Scholars to Graduate With 'Senior Walk'

Before departing the hallowed halls of their high school, seniors from Callaway High School visited their grade school alma mater, North Jackson Elementary School. Decked in their graduation caps and gowns, these grads-to-be made the first JPS Senior Walk at North Jackson to leave a final indelible impression on the school's students of the expectation of graduating from high school.

For their part, the North Jackson students gave high-fives, clapped and congratulated the high school students, all the while displaying banners and cheering "Go C-Way, Go C-Way!"

"Thank you, Callaway High School Class of 2016, for doing a 'Senior Walk' through the halls of North Jackson Elementary School to inspire NJE scholars to stay in school, stay focused, and maintain good grades," said North Jackson principal Kimberly Smith. [MORE] 

Scholars Join Murrah's Over 30 Club Based on ACT Scores

Seven Murrah students, including two juniors, recently joined the Over 30 Club at Murrah High School for achieving scores of 30 or above out of a possible 36 on the ACT college entrance exam.

Students with ACT scores over 30 were in the 95th percentile of all students who took the test. Obviously, earning scores above 30 increases postsecondary opportunities for students. Joshua Mannery, who scored a 33 on the test as a junior, started a wall where he has posted several acceptance letters from colleges. Rounding out the club are fellow junior Brandon Hendrick and seniors Lauren Allen, Douglas Campbell, Joseph Neyland, Ashley Szabo-Johnson and Charles Davis. [MORE]  

Callaway Senior Receives Surprise Laptop Computer

Amber Taylor, a 12th-grade student at Callaway High School, was the recipient of the Enabling Education Through Technology (EETE) Award, which happens to come with an Apple MacBook. VSS, a nationally recognized technology solutions provider headquartered in Mississippi, presented the award as a part of its outreach initiative with Jackson Public Schools.

The goal of the EETE initiative is to award academic achievement and empower students to grow marketable skills through the use of technology. Potential awardees are selected from high schools throughout the District to participate in the program. Students must maintain a district-wide Top 20 ranking during the designated school year for consideration. [MORE]  

Prestigious Murrah Alumni Scholarship Program Announces 2016 Recipients

Two outstanding Murrah High School graduates, Razizi Ishakarah and Kentrelle Moore, recently received the prestigious Dave Cannada Mentoring Program Scholarship of $5,000 each.

Razizi Ishakarah	Kentrelle Moore

Members representing the 1968 class from Murrah, joined Principal Kennieth Green in presenting the awards. Started in 2010, the Cannada Mentoring Program brings in business leaders who are also Murrah alumni to meet regularly with students to explore a broad range of career options. The final session is the highlight of the series, with the announcement of the winners of the Dave Cannada Memorial Scholarship.

The Cannada Mentoring Program Scholarship was created by a group of Murrah graduates from the class of 1968 and named for their classmate, student body president Dave Cannada, who died of leukemia in 1970. [MORE]