Just Among Friends
An early Mother's Day gift arrived on May 7, and she was perfectly beautiful! Parker Reese Pilgrim came a little before Mother's Day so she could spend it with her parents, Cody and Alana Davis Pilgrim. She weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce and could not have made her mother happier! It was a joyous event for her family who had been eagerly awaiting her arrival. Congratulations!
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Tyler Jordan Greer graduated from William Carey University in Hattiesburg with a bachelor's degree on the evening of Friday, May 14. He earned his degree from the Music Department where he excelled in his studies. Jordan is a gifted musician who has developed his talent playing the trombone.
After graduation, Jordan will attend The University of Kentucky where he has accepted a fully-funded scholarship and will pursue a master's degree in the Music Department. Congratulations!
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The Philadelphia High School Athletic Banquet was held in the Neshoba Country Coliseum on May 11, at 6:00 in the evening. The coliseum was beautifully decorated for the occasion with black tablecloths, white placemats, napkins, and white flowers in red containers.
The awards table was covered in a floor-length cloth of red and black. The Philadelphia High School emblem was centered in front on the cloth, and a framed picture of a Philadelphia Tornado mascot was placed next to the table. It was an exciting evening for all of those attending. Athletes from all varsity sports and cheerleaders were included The awards were presented to each individual by the athletic director, Barry Richardson, and the Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Hull. So glad this event was held this year!
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Pearl River Community College held its pinning ceremony for the Class of 2021 Occupational Therapy Assistants on May 6. The students had worked hard for two years to reach this highly anticipated event in their lives.
Among those in the ceremony was Annika Jones of Philadelphia. Annika was also presented with the OTA Dean's Award, the Outstanding Occupational Assistant Student Award, and was voted OTA President by her classmates. Her very proud parents are Doug and Deanna Prince Jones. Congratulations!
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Tyler Holland recently received some fantastic news. He has been accepted into the pre-matriculation (undergraduate) portion of the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program. He will receive mentoring, rural clinical experience, MCAT preparation, and a support system on his pathway to becoming a physician.
Tyler has been pursuing a bachelor of science degree in molecular biology and chemistry at Mississippi State University. His hard work has paid off!
Hailey Holland, Tyler's sister, will graduate from MSU in December with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and a minor in math! Their very proud parents are Tommy and Sharon Eldridge Holland. Congratulations to both of these promising young adults!
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The Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Cyrus Ben, presented a member of the Choctaw Tribe, Meka Willis, with a gift and a Tribal seal pin honoring her recent accomplishment. Meka, a 10th grader at the Mississippi School for the Blind, was awarded a Silver Key for her short story, "Amethyst Eyes."
The 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the Eudora Welty Foundation presented the Silver Key to Meka in the short story category. Congratulations!
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Friends of former Philadelphia residents John and Corinne McCormick will be happy to learn that their grandson Spencer Johns recently graduated from Berry College located near Rome, Georgia. Spencer played on the college baseball team, the Vikings, his entire four years. His parents are Scottie and Cory McCormick Johns. Congratulations!