Baptist Health Systems Hosts 8th Annual Scholar-Athlete Luncheon
Honoring Local High School Athletes

Contact: Robby Channell, 601-968-5135 rchannell@mbhs.org

April 28, 2005 – Jackson, Miss. – Baptist Health Systems hosted its 8th Annual Scholar-Athlete Luncheon at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum on Thursday, April 28, 2005. Each year, Baptist recognizes high school seniors from Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties based on high academic and athletic achievement. Tim Wise, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Millsaps College was this year's featured speaker.

This year's honorees included:

Bailey Magnet School
Eleysia Perkins – Eleysia is a High Honor Roll Student with a 3.0 GPA. She earned the Daughters of the American Revolution Award and the Purple Heart Award, demonstrating qualities of leadership, moral character and high aptitude. Eleysia is a member of the volleyball and the tennis team, where she received the Most Improved Player Award.

David Young – David was named Mr. Bailey Magnet School and Star Student and participates in Student Council and on the Academic Team. He's also a member of Who's Who Among American High School Students, the Mayor's Youth Council and received the USAA National Science Merit Award and the Principals Recognition Award. David participates in tennis at Bailey Magnet.

Brandon High School
Megan McKenzie – Megan is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta. She was named to the Brandon High School Hall of Fame and was chosen as the 2005 Star Student. She is a National Honor roll student, a 4-time finalist for Who's Who Among American High School Students, and a member of the 2005 Academic Team. Megan is a two-year letter winner for the Lady Bulldog soccer team and earned the 2005 Bulldog Award.

Hunter Hood – Hunter is a 4.0 student and a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, and Beta Club. He was selected Class Favorite and to the Hall of Fame. A standout soccer player, Hunter was chosen 5A First-team All-State, All-District, All-Rankin, Team MVP, Team Captain and was selected to the MS Assoc of Coaches All-Star team.

Callaway High School
Talitha Mack – Talitha is Valedictorian and has a 3.78 GPA. She was voted most intellectual and most likely to succeed. Talitha is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, earned MVP in Track, 4 letters and Captain honors in softball, and 4 letters in basketball, including this year's 4A State runner up team.

Lee Lyle – Lee has a 3.2 GPA at Callaway High School. He was chosen as a WPTA Blitz 16 Scholar Athlete and participates in FCA. Lee participates in football, tennis, and bowling at Callaway.

Central Hinds Academy
Hannah Gardner – Hannah is an Honor Roll Student, has a 3.7 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society. She participates in basketball, soccer, cheerleading, and track at Central Hinds. Hannah is a UCA All-Star Cheerleader and plans to cheer at Hinds Community College next year.

Luke Townsend – Luke made the Headmaster's list with a 3.8 GPA. He's a member of the National Honor Society and Who's Who Among American High School Students. Luke is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and in basketball, earned All-Conference, Conference MVP, and MPSA All-Star honors.

Florence High School
Kayla Eaves – Kayla has a 4.2 GPA and is a member of Student Council, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Mayor's Youth Council. She is a 4-year letter winner in Slow Pitch Softball at Florence High.

John-Paul Cavanaugh - John-Paul is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, Frontline Club and has a 3.67 GPA. He participates in FCA and lettered 4 years in football and 3 years in baseball at Florence High.

Forest Hill High School
Kimberly Ward – Kimberly is the Senior Class President and was selected Homecoming queen at Forest Hill. She was selected Student of the Month and was a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee. Kimberly was named Most Athletic and served as a team Captain in basketball, where she earned the Citizenship Award and the Leadership Award. She also lettered 4 years in volleyball and was a UCA All-Star Cheerleader.

Derrick Stokes – Derek has a 3.65 GPA and was voted Most Intellectual and Most Likely to Succeed. He's a member of the Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta, and the National Honor Society. Derek served as Captain of the football team and also participated in bowling.

Jackson Academy
Kimberly Griffin – Kimberly is a member of Who's Who Among American High School Students, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor. She earned the U.S. Achievement Academy International Foreign Language Award and was nominated for the National Society of High School Scholars. Kimberly is a 4 year letter winner for the Raider's varsity tennis team.

Adam Shaffer – Adam is a JA Scholar and a member of Mu Alpha Theta, and the National Honor Society. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as President of the Sports Medicine Club. Adam earned All Conference honors as a junior in baseball and in soccer, earned All-Conference, All-MPSA, Best Defensive Player, and All-Star honors as a senior. In football, Adam was named JA's Most Valuable Offensive Player, Albritton's Rolex Offensive Player of the Year, MPSA All Conference and to the MPSA All-Star team.

Jackson Prep
Mary Minchew – Mary is a member of the Cum Laude Society, the National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. She lettered 4 years for the Prep Cross-Country team and earned the Senior Recognition Award.

Christian Barnes – Christian is a National Merit Finalist, a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, and he's an Eagle Scout. Christian participates in baseball and was a member of Prep's 2003 and 2004 AAA State Championship teams.

Jim Hill High School
Shenecia Stamps – Shenecia is ranked #4 in her class with a 3.98 GPA. She is the Student Body and Beta Club President and belongs to Mu Alpha Theta, Who's Who Among American High School Students, the National Honor Society, and the National Society of High School Scholars. Shenecia was named a Blitz 16 Scholar Athlete, earned the Most Valuable Player and Academic Award in basketball and was named Best All-Around and All-Star Cheerleader.

Jeremy Odom – Jeremy has a 3.82 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. In football, Jeremy earned the Coaches Award and Player of the Year Honors and served as Co-Captain.

Madison Ridgeland Academy
Keri King – Keri made the Headmaster's List and the National Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA. She's a National Merit Finalist, and Army Scholar Athlete, and a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Keri is also a member of FCA and participates in softball, twice earning All-Conference honors.

David Rich – David is a member of Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta, the Quiz Bowl Team and has a 3.92 GPA. He is a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee, and a member of the track and football team, earning All-Conference and All-MPSA honors and the Sam Rea Leadership award in football.

Madison Central High School
Lane Dodder – Lane is an Honor Roll student with a 97 GPA. She's a member of the Beta Club, Spanish Club, Key Club and earned the Highest Math and English Grade Award. Lane is a 4 year letter winner in tennis and played on consecutive 5A State Championship Teams.

Adam Rydbeck – Adam has a 98.34 GPA and is a member of Beta Club and Who's Who Among American High School Students. As a 2-year starter on the Jaguar football team, Adam was Honorable Mention All-District and posted 112 career tackles.

Murrah High School
Robyne Shields – Robyne is an Honor Roll Student with a 3.86 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society. She lettered in softball, basketball, and track, earning the Best Defensive Award in basketball.

Omari Pittman – Omari has a 3.42 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He is also a member of Student Council and the Junior Historical Society. Omari is a member of the Honors Choir at Murrah and lettered for the Mustang football team before having his career cut short due to injury.

Northwest Rankin Attendance Center
Dafni LeFlore – Dafni is a 4.0 Student and a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Who's Who Among American High School Students and Student Government. She was voted Class Favorite and earned USAA National English Award. Dafni participated in basketball at NW Rankin.

dHarris Hemphill – Harris is an Honor Roll Student with a 3.6 GPA. He's a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a 3 year letterman in football, where he received the 2005 Coaches Award.

Pearl High School
Molly Foster – Molly has a 3.81 GPA and was named to the Pearl High School Hall of Fame. She served as President of the Mayor's Youth Council, and is a member of Beta Club, Student Council, Who's Who Among American Athletes and Who's Who Among American Scholars. Molly was named Most Talented and Most Athletic at Pearl and participates in FCA. She lettered 5 years and was Team Captain in soccer, earning All-Metro and All-State honors. Molly was an All-Metro performer and Team Captain in softball and a 5 year letter winner, State Runner Up, Team Captain and two time MVP in Tennis. Molly also served as Head Cheerleader and received the USAA National Cheerleader Achievement Award.

Jack Craven – Jack was also named to the Pearl High Hall of Fame and belongs to the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Beta Club, and the Mayor's Youth Council. He earned the Iron Man Award and Best Defensive Player award in Soccer. He played for 2 state championship teams and 2 State runner up teams and was selected to play in the All star game. Jack was also a 3-time cross country state champion and All-District baseball player, where he won the best offensive player award.

Provine High School
Constance Hayes – Constance has a 3.3 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and Who's Who American Scholars. She participates in FCA and received the U.S. Army's Battalion's Scholar Athlete Award. Constance lettered 4 years in basketball and earned a scholarship to East Central Community College.

Jarvis Williams – Jarvis was named Mr. Provine, has a 3.84 GPA and belongs to the Student Council and the National Honor Society. In basketball, Jarvis earned All-Metro and Second Team All-State honors along with 2 state championship rings.. and was chosen for the MS/Alabama All-Star game.

Ridgeland High School
Meagan Letteri – Meagan has a 98.6 GPA , served as Secretary of the Senior Class, and belongs to Mu Alpha Theta. As a Varsity Cheerleader, Meagan twice earned the Spirit Award.

Carson Furr – Carson is a Senior Class Representative with a 3.8 GPA. He belongs to the Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta. Carson is a 2-year letter winner for the Titan baseball team.

St. Andrews Episcopal School
LaReina Adams – LaReina has a 3.7 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and Who's Who Among American High School Students. A standout basketball player, LaReina lettered 4 years, earning MVP and All-County honors 3 years, and All-Metro and All-State honors as a junior and senior. She also served as Team Captain and was selected as an All-star by the MS Association of Coaches. LaReina also lettered 6 years in Track, where she served as Team Captain and broke the school record in the triple jump.

Brent Smith – Brent is a High Honor Roll student with a 3.7 GPA. He's an Eagle Scout and a member of the National Honor Society. As a 4 year letter winner and Co-Captain of the football team, Brent earned All-Metro, All-State, Best Offensive and Best Defensive Lineman honors. He also earned 3 varsity letters in track, serving as Team Captain, 4 letters in basketball, and 1 letter in baseball.

St. Joseph Catholic School
Hannah Adams – Hannah has a 3.3 GPA and earned the Presidential Scholar Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Service Club, and the Frontline Club. Hannah participates in Cross Country, Tennis and was chosen team captain and Best Defensive Player in Volleyball and Soccer. In volleyball, Hannah also earned Most Spirited and Most Improved Player honors

Michael Gaston – Michael has a 3.7 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Service Club and the Frontline Club. Michael participates in tennis, cross-country, and football, where he garnered Most Improved Player, All-District, and Best Defensive Player honors.

Terry High School
Jessica Porter – Jessica made the Headmaster's List with a 3.9 GPA. She's involved in Beta Club, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta and Frontline. Jessica participates in FCA and plays soccer at Terry High, earning All-District honors along with the Highest Scorer and Best Midfielder Awards.

Joey Sherman – Joey has a 3.6 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Students. He's a member of the Football and Golf teams at Terry High.

Tri-County Academy
Janae Harris – Janae is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and Who's Who Among American High School Students. She was a Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalist and earned the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. Janae's athletic background includes softball, cheerleading, track, cross-country, and basketball. In basketball, she was twice named All-Conference and participated in the MPSA All-Star game.

Josh Osborne – Josh is a honor roll student with a 3.02 GPA and is also a member of the Honor Society. He participated in the Academic Betterment Competition, was nominated for Wendy's High School Heisman, and he serves as a leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Josh participates in track and earned All-Conference honors in baseball, football, and basketball at TCA.

The Veritas School
Kelsey Ballard – Kelsey has a 3.8 GPA and belongs to the National Honor Society and Student Government Association. Kelsey participates in basketball and earned the Most Improved Player Award as a Junior.

Matthew Metcalf – Matt has a 4.0 GPA and served as SGA President. He's a member of the Science Club and twice earned the Christian Character Award. Matt earned 2 letters in football and track and 3 letters in basketball and baseball.

Wingfield High School
Shayla Williams – Shayla carries a 3.75 GPA and is member of Mu Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society, and the Academic Team. She was also named Most Likely to Succeed and Most Athletic. Shayla played volleyball, soccer, and tennis, serving as Team Captain of each squad.

Jeremy Jackson – Jeremy has a 3.0 GPA and is a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee and member of the National Honor Society. He participated in Track and earned All-District honors in football and basketball.

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