April 20, 2017
East Central Community College recently announced inductees into the 2017 Hall of Fame, the highest honor a student can receive at the college. They include (from left) Samm Thompson of Decatur, Katie McCool of Louisville, Makenzie Byrd of Sebastopol, Anastasia Crout of Lake, and Khalil Triplett and Sydney Battle, both of Philadelphia. The honorees were announced during Awards Day activities held April 20, 2017 in Huff Auditorium. Their photos will hang in the Hall of Fame Collection in the lobby of Huff Auditorium. (EC Photo)
Recipients of Hall of Fame and other honors were recognized during the annual Awards Day program held April 20, 2017, at East Central Community College in Decatur.
Selection to the Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor a student can receive at the college, according to Dr. Billy Stewart, ECCC president, who presented the awards.
“To be considered for the prestigious honor,” Dr. Stewart said, “students must demonstrate exemplary character, superior scholarship, worthy leadership and contribute to the betterment of East Central Community College.”
Hall of Fame inductees for 2017 and their respective high schools include Sydney Battle of Philadelphia, Makenzie Byrd of Sebastopol, Anastasia Crout of Lake, Katie McCool of Louisville, Samm Thompson of Newton County and Khalil Triplett of Philadelphia.
Battle is a President’s List and Dean’s List scholar and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community and Junior Colleges.
She serves as president of the Baptist Student Union, president of the Environmental Club, vice president of the Student Body Association and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Beta Lambda, Mu Alpha Theta, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau and the President’s Council. She also serves as a manager for the Lady Warrior softball team and was a member of the Warrior Corps and Diamond Darlings during her freshman year.
Battle is a graduate of Philadelphia High School and is the daughter of the late Kevin Battle and the granddaughter of Danny and Linda Luke.
Those nominating her wrote, “Sydney Battle is an exemplary student-scholar as well as a person of tremendous character with significant leadership skills … She exemplifies all the qualities of a true Warrior. She is very involved in student activities and dedicated to her studies. She's hard working and puts all of herself into everything she does! ... She has the heart of a Warrior! … Sydney Battle is a sweet and intelligent young woman. Sydney always has a smile on her face and is always willing to help anyone with anything. Sydney participates in all aspects of the campus community. She is a delight to teach and inviting to everyone. I don't believe that Sydney has ever met a stranger. If she has, they are not a stranger for long. Sydney is a wonderful member of the EC community.”
Byrd is a President’s List scholar and received numerous academic scholarships. She was selected Homecoming Maid of Honor and Most Beautiful.
She serves as president of the Student Body Association, co-president of the Warrior Corps, captain of the Centralettes, vice president of the President’s Council, Resident Assistant and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and Sigma Sigma Mu Tau. In addition, she served as vice president of her freshman class, and was selected a freshman Homecoming maid and freshman class favorite.
Byrd is a graduate of Sebastopol High School and is the daughter of Michea McLemore and Kevin Byrd.
Those nominating her wrote, “Every time I see Makenzie, I am greeted with a smile and a hug. Her attitude toward college and life in general is nothing short of amazing. She studies hard, but she also takes her leadership roles very seriously … Makenzie Byrd is the personification of a Hall of Fame student. Makenzie excels within the classroom as well as at campus activities and within organizations. Makenzie is an excellent student as well as a wonderful young woman. She helps other students be at ease with their environment and promotes everything that makes EC a great community college. Makenzie has clear and defined goals for the future, and I am sure that her motivation and drive will help her capture her dreams … I truly believe that Makenzie is most deserving of this recognition. She has excellent character, is extremely intelligent, very involved on campus and her love and passion for East Central are easy to see.”
Crout is a President’s List and Dean’s List scholar and recipient of the Robert G. Fick Memorial Scholarship.
She serves as president of Encore Players and has participated in two spring musicals. She is a section leader in the Wall O’ Sound Band, first chair trumpet in the concert band, and is a member of the Concert Choir, Percussion Ensemble, and Phi Theta Kappa.
Crout is a graduate of Lake High School and is the daughter of Jamie and Fetina Crout.
Those nominating her wrote, “Great leader, great work ethic, outstanding player, great actress, phenomenal scholar, puts others before herself … Anastasia is completely committed to her position as trumpet section leader of the Wall O' Sound Band, and her exemplary character often shows when she accepts responsibility for issues or obstacles that occur, even through no fault of her own. She has been very faithful to fulfill her role as president of the EC Encore Players, and is also one of the main leaders in her section of Concert Choir, all while balancing her many other responsibilities and maintaining good grades. She is extremely dedicated to the Fine Arts Department as a whole and always puts the school's needs before her own. Anastasia is a worthy candidate to be considered for selection in the Hall of Fame because of her hard work, leadership, and dedication to EC.”
McCool is a President’s List Scholar and was selected to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic First Team and was named HEADWAE Student of the Year.
She serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa, treasurer of the sophomore class and is a member of the Baptist Student Union Council, Warrior Corps, Environmental Club, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, President’s Council and Concert Choir.
She is a graduate of Winston Academy and is the daughter of Robert and Pam McCool.
Those nominating her wrote, “I don't think I could ever say enough good things about Katie. Not only is she a hardworking, Godly person, she demonstrates leadership skills in every role that she has held. She is respectful, honest, caring, and committed to her studies. She has served as president of PTK this year, and her initiative and commitment to the success of our chapter have been nothing short of stellar. She is the definition of what a true ECCC Warrior is. I cannot think of anyone else who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame more than Katie … Katie is the epitome of what Hall of Fame for East Central looks like. She is a top student who excels in the classroom, she is compassionate, she is loyal to the organizations in which she is involved with and is always there to help in any capacity needed. Katie is the student that teachers dream of having in their classrooms. She also has such a caring and kind heart and is so sweet to everyone she meets. Katie is an excellent example of what East Central stands for and is one of the best representatives of EC that I know.”
Thompson is a President's List scholar, received various academic scholarships, and was selected for Who’s Who Among American Community and Junior College Students. He received the Warrior Soccer Scholar Athlete award, NJCAA Pinnacle Award for Student Athletes, MACJC Distinguished Award for Student Athletes, Warrior Award for soccer and was named Honorable Mention All-MACJC for soccer.
He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Environmental Club, and Sigma Sigma Mu Tau.
Thompson is a graduate of Newton County High School and is the son of Kenneth and Cindy Thompson.
Those nominating him write, “As an athlete here at East Central, Samm showed his commitment to excellence for the team by working harder than anyone when no one could see him, just to make sure he did not let his teammates down. The same is true of his academic studies. He pushes himself harder than any instructor could ever push him, simply because he wants to perform at the highest level and do well for his instructors as well as himself. He will one day be one of the best nurse anesthetists that a person could have taking care of them because of his caring attitude and his commitment to excellence … I believe that other EC students have had the opportunity to become better people because of their association with him. Samm is highly deserving of consideration for Hall of Fame as he embodies all of the Core Values that makes us EC. He displays wisdom, excellence, accountability, respect, enthusiasm, efficiency and creativity.”
Triplett is a President’s List scholar, received numerous academic scholarships and was named to Who’s Who Among American Community and Junior College Students. In addition, he has received state and national recognition during Phi Beta Lambda awards competition.
He serves as treasurer of Phi Beta Lambda, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and Environmental Club.
Triplett is a graduate of Philadelphia High School and is the son of Amanda Triplett.
Those nominating him wrote, “Khalil is just a great young man. He is an excellent example for all students to look up to. He has a superior work ethic, and is extremely intelligent. He often tutored other students outside of class, which definitely helped them be successful in my classes. He was always involved in class discussion, he brought great questions to class, and is really an example of a great student. His character is undeniable, and he shows leadership in the classroom. He is compassionate and always willing to help other students. I am nominating him because I know he deserves the opportunity to be recognized as a top student at East Central, because he is … Khalil always tries to go beyond what is expected of him. He is enthusiastic, friendly, polite, and sincere. He is a very intelligent student, yet compassionate with other students. He is the type of student that I would be proud to point to as an East Central graduate.”
Additional honors presented during Awards Day include the following:
Career award recipients include Nathan Smith of Chunky, Residential Carpentry Award; Lauren Lofton of Carthage, Cosmetology Award; and Nick Black, Welding & Cutting "Taylor Cup” and “Career Student of the Year.”
Technical awards were presented to Adrian Douglas, Sr., of Carthage, Collision Repair Technology Award; Andrew Wagnon of Decatur, Automotive Technology Award; Natalie Bounds and Tiffany Anderson, both of Philadelphia, co-recipients, Early Childhood Education Technology Award; Levi May of Louin, Electrical Technology Award; Spencer Tullos of Pulaski, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology Award; Alan White of Preston, Culinary Arts Technology Award; Enoc Reynoso of Carthage, Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology Award; Elliot Parish of Forest, Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology Award; Morgan Hardy of Philadelphia, Network Support Technology Award; and Paxton Holmes of Lena, “Technical Student of the Year.”
Recipients of healthcare education awards include Tyler Richardson of Philadelphia, Associate Degree Nursing Outstanding Achievement Award; Tracy Holder of Louisville, Practical Nursing Award; and Robby Sills of Forest, Mississippi Nurses Foundation Scholarship.
Those receiving special awards were James Arthur of Union, Citizenship Award; Takisha Lee of Forest, Ann Burkes Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship; Jessica Everettt of Decatur, Dr. Margaret Mosal for Leadership Scholarship; George Garner of Newton, Alford J. Deaton Physics Award; Sydney Battle of Philadelphia, East Central Environmental Club Award; Makenzie Byrd of Sebastopol and Katie McCool of Louisville, co-recipients, Richard Fisher Organic Chemistry Award; Thomas Pugh of Starkville, Astronomy Club Award; Jaylon Bardley of Columbus, Anthony Coleman Men’s Basketball Award; Samm Thompson of Decatur and Kenzie Jenkins of Florence, co-recipients, Roy Pete Award for Soccer; Cassidy Pearson of Louisville, ECCC Concert Choir Award; Anastasia Crout of Lake, EC ENCORE Award; Chris Johnson of Noxapater, Katelyn Edwards of Lawrence and Roshumbria Nash of Kosciusko, co-recipients, ECCC Gospel Choir Award; Andrew Bernard of Meridian, S. Lebrun Hutchinson Engineering Scholarship; Jacinta Nonis of Philadelphia, Freshman Mathematics Award and Lucille Wood Scholarship; Richard Jacobson of Pascagoula, Sophomore Mathematics Award; Brady Thrash of Sebastopol, Secondary Education Award; Sydney Baucum of Decatur, Myrtle R. Hutchison Elementary Education Award; Courtney Bell and TaMaya Pace, both of Forest, Mississippi Business Educators Association Award; Paxton Holmes of Lena, Khalil Triplett of Philadelphia, and Enoc Reynoso and Morgan Cain, both of Carthage, all recipients of Phi Beta Lambda Hall of Fame; Clover Eakes of Philadelphia, Alyne Simmons Recruitment Grant; and Caleb Welch of Brandon, The Tom-Tom Award.
Alumni Memorial Awards were presented to Julia Johnston of Florence, Billy Wayne Baucum Secondary Education Award; Joshua Moore of Louisville, Opal McMullan Dickerson Elementary Education Award; Blake Fortenberry of Forest, W.A. Coursey, Jr. Engineering Award; Gage Leifried of Meridian, Danny Ray Killens Engineering Award; Belinda Patton of Decatur, Ruth Carr-Vincent Academic Award for Excellence in Non-Traditional Education; Alexandria Crout of Lake, Alatha Chaney English Award; Cassandra Warnsley of Decatur, Sara Carr Deaton Business Technology Award; Kristen Kennedy of Union, Sue Yarbrough Fulgham Speech Award; Samm Thompson of Decatur, Arno Vincent Award for Academic Excellence in Athletics; Trenton Evers of Forest, William S. Giffin Men’s Intramural Award; Aniyah Marshall of Fulton, Earline Wood Memorial Award for Women’s Basketball; Larry Reed, Jr., of Decatur, Homer F. Hunter Athletic Managers Award; Isiah Thomas of Jackson, Andrew F. Webb Football Award; Shaquille Benson of Norco, La., Howard Sessums Men’s Basketball Award; Katie McCool of Louisville, Jack B. Mayo Phi Theta Kappa Award; and Abbey Armstrong of Morton, Dr. Edwin Miller Medical Services Award.
Faculty Memorial Awards were presented to Kristen Kennedy of Union, Aaron R. Davis Memorial Scholarship; Henry Benson of Union, Frank Edwin & Nena Holt Leatherwood Biology Science Award; Julia Johnston of Florence, Dr. Shelby L. Harris Memorial Scholarship; TaNissa McNair of Forest, J. Wallace Bedwell Business Award; Cory Furlow of Clinton, Frank M. Cross Freshman Chemistry Award and J. Andy Miller Freshman Engineering Award; Bradley Palmer of Philadelphia, O.L. Newell Drafting Award; Paxton Holmes of Lena, Charles E. Pennington Business Technology Award; Jonathan Hall of Forest, Robert G. Fick Memorial Scholarship; Sarah Laird of Meridian, Ruth Hull Memorial Wo-He-Lo Award; Nathan Roseberry of Purvis, Jamie Clark Memorial Baseball Award; Makaeya Brock of Decatur, Leon Eubanks Kaljyc-Peers Leadership Award; Dillon Reed of Lousville, L.B. Simmons History Award; Breann Nicholson of Philadelphia, Thomas W. Thrash Memorial Scholarship; and Brittney Watkins of Forest, General William Patrick Wilson Academic Scholarship.
