Sixteen students selected for Hall of Fame honor

by Julie Bauer

Senatobia, MS (02/22/2024) — Sixteen Northwest Mississippi Community College students have been inducted into the 2023-24 Hall of Fame, the highest honor a student can achieve at the college.

The selection of students named to the Hall of Fame is based on their academic accomplishments and involvement in student life at Northwest. Hall of Fame nominations are submitted by Northwest instructors and voted on by a committee. This year's honorees were recognized at the Jan. 11 Board of Trustees meeting on the Senatobia campus.

Nine students attend the Senatobia campus.

LaQuisha Alexander of Byhalia is a Byhalia High School graduate who serves as an officer for Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. She is studying animal science, and her ultimate aim is to contribute to the well-being of animals. She has a passion for all animals, and her career goal is to work in the animal field and become a veterinarian.

Dylan Bailey of Senatobia is a Strayhorn High School graduate studying musical theatre. He serves as president of the Northwest Players Club and is also an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, speech and theatre productions, and was the Rotary Club Student of the Month. He has always had a passion for theatre and would love to work in all areas of theatre, but his dream goal is to become an actor, specifically working in voice-over.

Loren Beck of Guntown is a graduate of Saltillo High School and is studying radiological sciences. After graduating from Northwest, she will transfer to the University of Mississippi or Mississippi College to pursue a bachelor's degree in biological sciences before furthering her education at UMMC in Jackson to enroll in the anesthesiology program. She serves as the captain of the Cheer Team at Northwest. While at Northwest, she has had the opportunity to serve in various organizations such as the Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Rangers for Christ, Pre-Health Society, and Phi Theta Kappa.

Logan Harden of Hernando is a graduate of the Mississippi School of Mathematics and Science and is studying forestry at Northwest with a goal to bring science and art together to promote understanding and community while supporting the environment and society. While attending Northwest, Harden has participated in the Honors in Action project for Phi Theta Kappa and the Les Fauves Spring Art Show/Sale and is a member of the Les Fauves Art Club, the Smile Club and served as an officer for Phi Theta Kappa.

Layla Hill of Water Valley graduated from Lafayette High School and is a member of the Northwest Entertainers, Singers, and Chorale while serving as a Northwest Pathfinder. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Baptist Student Union, and student representative for the Student Services Council Committee. She plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing with a goal to work at Regional One Trauma Center and use her degree in a mission field to help people receive health care in poverty-stricken areas.

Jasmine Manning of Oxford is a graduate of Lafayette High School studying music education. She is drum major for the Northwest Ranger Marching Band and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Northwest Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Winds, Northwest Entertainers, Northwest Singers, Woodwind Ensemble, and the Baptist Student Union. Her career goal is to become a choir teacher and an assistant band director.

McGheyla Patton of Courtland graduated from South Panola High School and is currently studying physical therapy. She is a member of several clubs and organizations including Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Northwest Trio, Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Northwest Pathfinders, Northwest Voices of Praise Gospel Choir, Honor in Action Forum, and is a student representative for Northwest Student Engagement, Student Services Council, and Student Discipline Committees. She has served as president of Phi Theta Kappa, as an Orientation leader, as secretary of Student Government Association, and was elected as a Homecoming maid. As a member of the Lady Ranger basketball team, she earned Academic All-American honors. Upon graduating from Northwest, she plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi to obtain her bachelor's degree before earning her doctorate in physical therapy. Her long-term goal is to open a rehab facility so she can have a positive impact on her community.

Dorian Pomerlee of Water Valley graduated from Lafayette High School and is currently studying nursing. She is a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Student Nurses Association, Baptist Student Union, Wesley Foundation, Faith and Fellowship, and is a Northwest Pathfinder. After graduating from Northwest in May, her plan is to enroll in the RN-MSN program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing in Jackson. Her ultimate goal is to be director of a nursing school or program.

Brandon Taylor of Canton graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison and is studying exercise science. While at Northwest, he has been a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Northwest Pathfinder, resident assistant, Honor Institute, and Orientation leader. He was elected president of Mu Alpha Theta, treasurer of the Student Government Association, vice president of leadership for Phi Theta Kappa, and is a Northwest content creator. After graduating from Northwest, he will continue his education at Mississippi State University with a career goal of becoming a strength and conditioning coach.

Four students attend the DeSoto campus.

Heather Hill of Olive Branch is studying business administration. At Northwest, she is a member of the Autism Support Club and serves as an officer for Phi Theta Kappa. Her goal is to own a successful business and become a scientist.

Alexandra James of Horn Lake earned her GED in 2017 and is currently studying social work. At Northwest, she is a member of Student Government Association and serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Gamma Chi chapter. It is imperative for her to give back to her community, and she is passionate about contributing to the well-being of others through social work.

Christina Jones of Olive Branch is a graduate of Byhalia High School and is studying business and marketing management technology. She is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa. After she graduates from Northwest, she hopes to open her own business of an afterschool care academy.

Kaylah Merriweather of Hernando is a graduate of Hernando High School and is studying practical nursing. While at Northwest, she is in Phi Theta Kappa, Practical Nursing/NFLPN, and the Student Nurses Association. After she graduates from the Northwest practical nursing program and passes the NCLEX, she plans to continue to work in the health care field to gain experience and start her nursing career.

Three students attend the Oxford campus.

Tylan Boyette of Pope graduated from South Panola High School and is enrolled in the cosmetology program. In her first semester at Northwest, she was a member of the Northwest Cheer Team and later became a member of the Cosmetology Club, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, Baptist Student Union, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was an honor for her to be a part of the Homecoming Court and be an Outstanding Student for Northwest. After she graduates from Northwest, she plans to start her career as a hairstylist with her goal to become an instructor for a cosmetology school.

Rush Harmon of Oxford graduated from Oxford High School and is studying the general college pathway. He has earned his technical certificate and Associate of Applied Science in surgical technology. During his time at Northwest, he was voted Mr. NWCC and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Honors Institute, and Surgical Technology Club. He plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi to complete his bachelor's degree. While attending the surgical technology program, he realized he wanted to challenge himself and go further with his education. His career goal is to become a physician's assistant.

Alandria Kennedy of Tupelo graduated from Shannon High School and is enrolled in the surgical technology program. While at Northwest, she joined the National Technical Honor Society and Surgical Technology Club and was a maid on the Homecoming Court. She plans to become a surgical tech and later travel as a surgical tech. Her goal is to specialize in labor and delivery or neurology and cardiology.