The Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce is set to recognize some of the best students in the area.
A reception for the Students of Achievement is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at the chamber.
Among those students to be honored are:
- La'Kristie Barner of Itta Bena. La'Kristie is a senior with a 90.4 average at Leflore County High School. She was honored as Youth of the Year for 1997 and 2000. She also has been approved for the National Honor Roll.
She is secretary of her class, secretary of the LCHS National Honors Society and a member of the Leflore County High School Choir, among other activities.
"'A mind is a terrible thing to waste' is the slogan for the United Negro College Fund," La'Kristie said. "I like to think a mind is an awesome thing to shape. This is why I aspire to be an elementary teacher and eventually an elementary principal."
- Benjamin Matthew Waldrop of Greenwood.
Matthew is a sophomore at Pillow Academy with a 97.8 average. He has received the Math Award, the U.S. Achievement Academy National Mathematics Award, the U.S. Achievement Academy National Science Award and won best design in the Junior Engineering Club competition.
Matthew is a member of the National Junior Beta Club, was Greenwood Commonwealth Student of the Year Scholarship Recipient in 2002, and captain of the Pillow Academy Junior High Quiz Bowl Team.
"The education I have received has been a very important factor in the progression of my life," Matthew said. "A wise man once said there are only two things a man gives himself: honor and education. This concept has been a springboard for my future, for which I plan on using to become a lawyer."
- Mary Katherine "Kate" Sutphen of Greenwood.
Kate is a senior at Pillow Academy with a 98.5 average. She has received the Honors Chemistry Award, the Honors Biology Award, the Honors English Award and a host of other honors for academic success.
Kate also is editor of the school yearbook, president of the Junior Auxiliary Crown Club, class president for three years and a member of the 2006 Lions Club Leadership Class. She is an active member of the North Greenwood Baptist Youth Council and Youth Choir.
"How important has education been in my life? Let's just say that in third grade you are taught that life's basic needs are food, shelter and clothing," Kate said. "That is true, of course, unless you grew up at my house. In that case you learned early on in life that there are four basic needs: food, shelter, clothing and education."
- Jamilah Perkins of Greenwood.
Jamilah is a junior at Greenwood High School with a 98 average. She has been a Superintendent's Scholar since the first grade and has earned a variety of scholarships for academic achievement.
Jamilah has served as president of the National Junior Honor Society at Greenwood Middle School, and treasurer for the Greenwood High School Student Government Association. She also is captain of the Feature Dancer Team. She is a member of the Drama Club of Providence M.B. Church and a member of the NAACP and Greenwood Voters' League.
"Education is the door to opportunities. Opportunity is the key to goals. Goals unlock dreams, and dreams reveal success," Jamilah said.
- Cheryl Neal of Greenwood.
Cheryl is a sophomore at Greenwood High School with a 97.4 average. She has received the Greenwood Commonwealth Student of the Year Award and has been a Superintendent's Scholar, among other honors.
Cheryl is secretary of the Locust Grove Baptist Church Usher Board, treasurer for the Greenwood High School Choir and vice president of the Student Technology Association. She also is a member of the Greenwood High School Modeling Squad.
"Education has always been an extremely important factor in my life," Cheryl said. "I have always felt that education holds the key to success and is the pathway to any desired victory."
- Latasha Hudson of Itta Bena.
Latasha is a sophomore at Leflore County High School with a 89.66 average. She is an Honor Roll student.
Latasha is president of St. Mary's Youth Choir. She plays basketball and softball for Leflore County High School. She also is a member of the Beta Club, the LCHS Band and the Boys and Girls Club.
"First of all, education is important to my life because it is in my Master's plans," Latasha said. "Secondly, my education is important to my life simply because, it is my life. I know that I could never achieve any of my goals without an education. Thirdly, my goals in life is to become a successful corporate lawyer, and playing in the Women's National Basketball Association."
