Lauren Carson inducted into Northwest Hall of Fame

2014 Feb 14

Lauren Carson of Coldwater was one of 11 Northwest Mississippi Community College students inducted into the 2014 Northwest Hall of Fame, the highest honor a Northwest student can attain based upon their academic prowess and involvement in student life at the college, at the Feb. 13 Board of Trustees meeting on the Senatobia campus.

Kendal Atkinson, an elementary education major from Senatobia, attended Magnolia Heights School. While at Northwest, Atkinson was president of the Northwest Education Association and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was also a member of the 2012 homecoming court and a student recruiter. Her honors include Senatobia Rotary Club Student of the Month, Dean's List, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. Atkinson plans to transfer The University of Mississippi to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees.

Lauren Carson, an education major from Coldwater attended Hernando High School. She was an officer for Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa. Carson was a member of the Ranger cheerleaders, student recruiters, Baptist Student Union, Northwest Education Association and Student Government Association. She also served as captain of the Diamond Girls. Her honors include the President's List and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in elementary education with a minor in special education. She would like to be a teacher at a local school or an elementary education teacher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Harley Leigh Cook, a secondary education major from Pope, attended South Panola High School. During her time at Northwest, she participated in the Northwest Singers and Baptist Student Union and was a CollegeFish ambassador. She was an officer in the Northwest Education Association and Phi Theta Kappa. Cook's honors include President's List, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. She would like to teach social studies at the high school level.

Shelbi Dunlap, an accounting major, is from Coldwater and attended Magnolia Heights School. Dunlap served as Phi Theta Kappa president and as an officer in Mu Alpha Theta. She was a member of the Student Government Association, a student recruiter, homecoming court maid and was crowned 2013 Homecoming Queen. Dunlap was a campus beauty, a member of the Diamond Girls and Miss NWCC. Her honors include President's List, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. She participated in the APEX Leadership Conference at Ole Miss. Dunlap plans to attend Mississippi State University and earn a bachelor's and master's in accounting. She hopes to become a CPA for one of the big four accounting firms.

Randi Robison, a pre-medical major from Senatobia, attended Senatobia High School. She was a member the Allied Health Organization, Phi Theta Kappa, Science and Math Club, Christians in Action and the Northwest Tennis team. She was a leader in Rangers for Christ. Robison's honors include Dean's List, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. Her goal is to become a physician's assistant.

Hannah Switzer is a psychology major from Senatobia. She is a graduate of Senatobia High School. At Northwest, Switzer was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Baptist Student Union. She an officer for the Wesley Foundation and the Northwest Tennis team. Her honors include the President's List, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. She plans to become a counselor.

Hannah Waldrip is a pre-nursing major from Sardis, who attended North Delta School. She was an officer in the Baptist Student Union, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Christians in Action and the Northwest Tennis Team. Her honors include the Dean's List, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Outstanding Student. She plans to be a nurse at LeBonheur Children's Hospital.

Rebekah Bosley, a general college major from Nesbit, attended Veritas Classical Schools. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was on the President's List. After Northwest, she plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and earn a bachelor's and master's in international studies. She plans to pursue a career as a cultural competency consultant.

Renita Couch, a practical nursing major from Chicago attended Central High School. She was a member of the Practical Nursing Allied Health Club. Her honors include President's List and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. After graduation, she wants to obtain her Practical Nursing license and would like to pursue a bachelor's in nursing, specializing in surgical nursing.

Carley Perry, a liberal arts major from Olive Branch, attended Gateway Christian School. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was on the President's List. She was also named an Outstanding Students. She plans to attend the University of Mississippi DeSoto Center and major in English. She would like to be a teacher, librarian, writer or editor.

Ricky Clayton is a general college major from Oxford, attended Tupelo High School. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. His honors include President's List and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He plans to be a counselor.

With convenient online classes and locations in Senatobia, Southaven and Oxford, Northwest offers the pre-requisites necessary for a four-year degree at any of Mississippi's colleges or universities or career and technical programs that get students in the workforce in as little as nine months for less than half the price of any Mississippi public college or university. For more information, call 662-562-3200 or visit www.northwestms.edu.

Pictured: Northwest Mississippi Community College President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (far right) congratulates (front row, left to right) Kendal Atkinson of Senatobia; Shelbi Dunlap of Coldwater; Randi Robison of Senatobia; Hannah Switzer of Senatobia; (second row, left to right) Lauren Carson of Coldwater; Renita Couch of Robinsonville; Rebekah Bosley of Nesbit; Harley Cook of Pope; Ricky Clayton of Oxford and Hannah Waldrip of Sardis for their induction into the 2014 Northwest Hall of Fame. Not pictured is Carley Perry of Olive Branch. (Photo by Sarah Sapp)