Neshoba Central graduates set bar with scholarships

Neshoba Central graduates set bar with scholarships

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Members of Neshoba Central’s Class of 2022 set the bar for future classes as they received a combined total of more than $7.9 million in scholastic and athletic scholarship offers to continue their educations at various colleges and universities. 

Just over 200 students had scholarship offers. 

Neshoba Central’s Class of 22, which includes 229 students, had a total of $90,000 in offers through the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant for scoring 29 or higher on the ACT. Those offers were for $10,000 each. 

The class had a total of $550,000 in offers through the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant which awards students scoring 15 to 28 on the ACT $3,000 each. 

Friends, family and staff packed the Neshoba County Coliseum Friday night to watch the graduation ceremonies. The parking lot was overflowing, and cars were parked up and down Highway 15. 

Valedictorian Mallory Chunn and Salutatorian Jala Johnson gave their speeches as they reflected on their time at Neshoba Central. 

“I thought this day would never come,” said Chunn. “We always thought 13 years of school was so long but now it seems it was too short. We can no longer walk the halls as students or play our favorite sport.” 

She credited her success with her faith in Jesus. She recalled the Bible story of the sisters Mary and Martha. 

Martha was running around doing work while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. 

“Martha became upset with Mary but Jesus quickly reminded her that Mary was doing what was best. She had her priorities straight,” Chunn said, “This passage stands to remind us that we can be the valedictorian, a NFL football player or the No. 1 brain surgeon in the world. But if our focus falls away from Jesus, we have failed to finish our mission in life.” 

Salutatorian Jala Johnson took time to thank all who helped her along the way. 

“I would like to thank God for bringing me to this moment where I am standing today,” said Johnson. “I want to thank my family and friends for always motivating me to do my best in all that I do. And, I would like to thank my teachers who I learned under for the past 13 years.” 

Johnson talked about lessons she learned each year of high school. 

“Four years ago, we all started a new season of our lives when we walked through the front doors of Neshoba Central High School for the first time as students,” John- son said. “It feels like yesterday but somehow, it somehow like a lifetime ago. 

“Our junior year snuck up on us but we still had time. That led up to our senior year. We passed the tests, We have taken all of the courses, And we met all of the requirements. Along the way, we made lifelong friends.” 






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