Just Among Friends
Congratulations to Leake Academy’s Taylor Allen, 5A North Half State Champion!!! Taylor will compete in the State Championship on April 25. Good luck to Taylor! She worked hard to reach this final step.
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Philadelphia Public Schools has announced its Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the graduating class of the 2023-2024 school year. Charmaine Manzona is Valedictorian for the overall highest academic achievement. Charlie Perkins is the Salutatorian for the second-overall highest academic achievement. Congratulations!
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The Neshoba Master Gardeners spent a busy morning last Wednesday in the Neshoba Country Nursing Home’s garden space where they planted various kinds of vegetables. Several of the residents sat outside in the sunshine watching and visiting with them. This group volunteers its time to plant and maintain this pleasant area which is visible from many windows in the hospital. In order to become a Master Gardener, one has to enroll in the program and study the planned curriculum, pass tests over the material and also a final exam to receive a Master Gardeners Certificate.
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Answered prayers for Anna Kate Blair! She received notice that she had passed her licensure exam last Thursday and is now a Licensed Social Worker! She is the daughter of Scott and Kristen Blair. Congratulations!
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The University of Mississippi’s Department of Music presented the Senior Recital of Paola Sofia Euyoque on April 10, in the David H. Nutt Auditorium on the Oxford campus. She played several selections on the clarinet from well-known composers, including some from classical Mexican composers.
Sofia will graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Instrumental in May. Her parents were so proud of their daughter, as was her sister, Natalia, who studies at the University of Southern Mississippi. They were in the audience along with her friends who had come to offer support and encouragement. Congratulations!
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"Who can get things done with only a phone call?" According to Sid Williams-Heath, that's how they decide the 100 most powerful people in Pensacola each year. University presidents, elected officials, attorneys, healthcare executives, philanthropists, and familial names who have contributed millions to the community are those who make the list each year.
Sid was named to the 100 Most Powerful People in Pensacola this year. He modestly claims that he is a 33-year-old novice with a nonprofit and one too many ideas for his own good!
In reality, he is CEO, the Clark Family Cultural Center; President, Stamped Film Festival; Treasurer, Visit Pensacola; Instructor, Ride Society. He is the executive director at Pensacola Little Theatre. Congratulations!
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A Choctaw tribal member, Jeffrey Gibson, was selected as a solo presenter at the Biennale Arte 2024 for the 60th International Art Exhibition at the United States Pavilion at the Giardini della Biennale in Venice, Italy. He is the first indigenous artist to represent solo for the United States.
Jeffrey is the son of James Gibson of the Connehatta community. He has fond memories of visiting the Choctaw Tribal lands as a youngster. His grandmother, Lily Gibson, and his Aunt Lamona helped keep his ties to Choctaw alive. Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben and his wife, TaRita, traveled to Italy in support and recognition of Jeffrey’s career milestone.
Tribal Chief Ben and Mrs. Ben were invited guests of Mr. Gibson and attended pre-opening activities(April 17-19) which included a guided tour of the exhibition by Mr. Gibson of the United States Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, an invitation to the creative dinner, and a press conference held at the United States Pavilion. Chief Ben spoke at both conferences. This was a prestigious honor for the Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, as well as Jeffrey Gibson! They were all excellent representatives of the United States.