April 24, 2018
East Central Community College recently announced inductees into the 2018 Hall of Fame, the highest honor a student can receive at the college. They include (from left) Mackenzie Johnson of Nanih Waiya, Jessica Everett, Reagan Gorgas and Makaeya Brock, all of Decatur; Marlee Parkes of Nanih Waiya, and Peyton Ryals of Louisville. The honorees were announced during Awards Day activities held April 23, 2018 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 23, 2018, 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 2018 and their respective high schools include Makaeya Brock, Jessica Everett and Reagan Gorgas, all of Newton County; Mackenzie Johnson and Marlee Parkes, both of Nanih Waiya; and Peyton Ryals of Louisville.
Brock is a President’s and Dean’s List scholar, president of the Student Body Association, captain of the Centralettes dance line and a vice president for Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is a member of Vocé vocal ensemble, concert choir, Baptist Student Union, Warrior Corps and Phi Beta Lambda.
She was selected a sophomore Homecoming Maid and was selected a beauty during the annual ECCC beauty pageant. In addition, she received first place in the business presentation category at the Phi Beta Lambda state leadership conference.
Brock is a graduate of Newton County High School and is the daughter of Scott and Daniele Brock of Decatur.
Those nominating her wrote, “Makaeya is an outgoing student in and out of the classroom. She is very dedicated to her studies and her campus and church activities. She is a great example of what an East Central Warrior should look like.”
Everett is a President’s and Dean’s List scholar and serves as president of Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, regional secretary for Phi Theta Kappa, state president for Phi Beta Lambda and president of ECCC’s Theta Chi Chapter of PBL, secretary of the Student Body Association, Drum Major for the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band, and president of the President’s Council. She is a member of concert band, pep band, winter guard, Warrior Corps, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Environmental Club, SkillsUSA, Students for Life, College Republicans and the Wo-He-Lo yearbook and Tom Tom newspaper staffs.
She was selected Homecoming Maid of Honor, received a first place award in the small business management category at the national Phi Beta Lambda leadership conference and received the Dr. Margaret Mosal Memorial Scholarship for Leadership.
Everett is the daughter of John and Donna Everett of Decatur and Susan and Jon Withers of Philadelphia.
Those nominating her wrote, “Jessica Everett is the epitome of an all-around student. She has a distinct way of balancing her academic, social, and organizational activities. She doesn’t just participate in her school and community, she leads, organizes and inspires others to do the same.”
Gorgas is a President’s List Scholar and serves as president of Warrior Corps, Campus Catholic Ministries, and Students Against Destructive Decisions. She is co-editor of the yearbook, vice president of scholarship for Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, vice president of the Student Body Association, and a member of Centralettes, Environmental Club, concert choir, College Republicans, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, Students for Life and Phi Beta Lambda.
She was selected HEADWAE Student of the Year and was selected for Phi Theta Kappa’s All-Mississippi Academic First Team.
Gorgas is a graduate of Newton County High School and is the daughter of Dan and Lisa Gorgas of Decatur.
Those nominating her wrote, “Reagan exudes numerous positive qualities. She is very active on the East Central campus and takes pride in what she does. She has participated in many different community service activities. She is always respectful and smiling. She takes her studies and activities seriously here at ECCC. Reagan is such a great student and well-rounded young lady I think she is a great Hall of Fame candidate.”
Johnson is a member of the Lady Warrior softball team, Phi Theta Kappa, Warrior Corps, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Baptist Student Union and serves as historian for Sigma Sigma Mu Tau.
She was selected a freshman Homecoming maid, received the Lady Warrior Softball Hustle Award, and was the recipient of the Shirley Renaud Memorial and Landon Bryan Burt Memorial Scholarships.
She is a graduate of Nanih Waiya and is the daughter of Dr. Lee and Marla Johnson of Philadelphia.
Those nominating her wrote, “Mackenzie is truly deserving of this nomination. Along with being a member of the Lady Warrior softball team, she is involved in many clubs and organizations while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is driven and always gives her best effort in all that she strives to do. … She always has a smile on her face and is eager to assist with whatever needs to be done. I don’t have any doubt that Mackenzie will reach the goals she has set for herself of becoming an occupational therapist. She is black and gold through and through and will always be a great ambassador for ECCC.”
Parkes is a President’s List scholar and member of the Lady Warrior softball team, Warrior Corps, Baptist Student Union Praise Team and BSU Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, Phi Theta Kappa, and College Worship.
She received numerous scholarships, the National Junior College Athletic Association Pinnacle Award for Excellence and the Mississippi Association for Community and Junior Colleges Distinguished Academic All-State Award.
Parkes is a graduate of Nanih Waiya High School and is the daughter of Luke and Tammy Parkes of Nanih Waiya.
Those nominating her wrote, “Marlee is a true Warrior. She has always loved ECCC and has been a part of the ECCC family for many years through her family who also attended ECCC. In addition to being a member of the Lady Warrior softball team, she has been an active member of many clubs and organizations. She has maintained a 4.0 as a pre-nursing major while being extremely busy on campus. Marlee is a dependable, hardworking student who can be counted on whenever called upon. She has proven herself to be a leader both on and off the field. ... Marlee is an excellent representative for ECCC and is very deserving of this high honor.”
Ryals is a Dean’s and President’s List scholar and serves as vice president of membership for Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, vice president of Warrior Corps and College Republicans and is a resident assistant. He is a member of Students for Life, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and participates in intramurals.
He was selected Mr. East Central Community College, a freshman class favorite and received numerous scholarships.
Ryals is a graduate of Louisville High School and is the son of Kevin and Shonna Ryals of Louisville.
Those nominating him wrote, “Peyton is a star student and human being – he is a hard worker in the classroom, a kind individual, a leader, a level-headed and respectful young man. He deserves this honor more than any student I have taught over the last two years. … Peyton embodies everything that ECCC stands for. He is an extremely hard worker and shows up and works from the beginning of the event to the end. He shows initiative and takes direction well. He is also a true leader. He definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.”
Additional honors presented during Awards Day include the following:
Career award recipients include Jonathan Collins of Forest, Residential Carpentry Award; Elaina Boyle of Philadelphia, Cosmetology Award; Taylor Akins of Philadelphia and Jesse Alan Smith of Union, co-recipients, Welding & Cutting “Taylor Cup;” and Chaney Comans of Sebastopol, “Career Student of the Year.”
Technical awards were presented to Brent Gooden of Hickory, Collision Repair Technology Award; Scott Main of Meridian, Automotive Technology Award and “Technical Student of the Year;” Takara Bingham of Noxapater and Stephanie Rand of Bay Springs, co-recipients, Early Childhood Education Technology Award; Tyler Withers of Walnut Grove, Electrical Technology Award; Leonard Nelson of Union and Darby Kilpatrick of Conehatta, co-recipients, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology Award; Alaina Barrier of Philadelphia, Culinary Arts Technology Award and Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology Award; Kevin Chapman of Newton, Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology Award; and Antonio King of Carthage, Network Support Technology Award.
Recipients of healthcare education awards include Tabatha Alford of Lake, Associate Degree Nursing Outstanding Achievement Award, and Joya Young of Meridian, Practical Nursing Award.
Those receiving special awards were Sydney Baucum of Decatur, Citizenship Award and Astronomy Club Award; George Farid of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Ann Burkes Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship; Mackenzie Johnson of Nanih Waiya, Dr. Margaret Mosal for Leadership Scholarship; Brady Thrash of Sebastopol, Alford J. Deaton Physics Award; Mikiyala Wells of Little Rock and Vimal Patel of Carthage, East Central Environmental Club Award; Kristen Kennedy of Union, Richard Fisher Organic Chemistry Award; Cayman Ruffin of Philadelphia, Anthony Coleman Men’s Basketball Award; Cory Furlow of Clinton and Carolyn Nickles of Pelahatchie, co-recipients, Roy Pete Award for Soccer; Jack Vidals of Chunky, Elisabeth Hall of Mendenhall and Meilii Tumbling-Jordan of Newton, co-recipients, ECCC Concert Choir Award; Jonathan Hall of Philadelphia, EC ENCORE Award; Sydney Luvene of Lauderdale, ECCC Gospel Choir Award; Zackary Nowell of Philadelphia, S. Lebrun Hutchinson Engineering Scholarship; Ryan Ethridge of Collinsville, Freshman Mathematics Award; Julia Johnston of Florence, Sophomore Mathematics Award and Secondary Education Award; Madison Boykin of Preston, Myrtle R. Hutchison Elementary Education Award; Sharlee Walley of Forest and Cassandra Warnsley of Decatur, co-recipients Mississippi Business Educators Association Award; Anna Skinner of Union, Alyne Simmons Recruitment Grant; Jakeem Triplett of Philadelphia, The Tom-Tom Award; Reagan Harris of Philadelphia, The Lucille Wood Scholarship; and Ryan Ethridge of Collinsville and Haley Hutcherson of Meridian, co-recipients of the C++ Programming Award.
Alumni Memorial Awards were presented to Grace Addy of Carthage, Billy Wayne Baucum Secondary Education Award; Landrey Godwin of Newton, Opal McMullan Dickerson Elementary Education Award; Eric Malone of Carthage, W.A. Coursey, Jr. Engineering Award; Cory Furlow of Clinton, Danny Ray Killens Engineering Award; Tracie King of Union, Ruth Carr-Vincent Academic Award for Excellence in Non-Traditional Education; Makaeya Brock of Decatur, Alatha Chaney English Award; Justin Wilcher of Philadelphia, Sara Carr Deaton Business Technology Award; Miriam Patrick of Forest, Sue Yarbrough Fulgham Speech Award; Tom Langelaar of Veldhoven, Netherlands, Arno Vincent Award for Academic Excellence in Athletics; Bailey Smith of Philadelphia, William S. Giffin Men’s Intramural Award; Autumn Taylor of Newton, Earline Wood Memorial Award for Women’s Basketball; Thurston McCarty of Shubuta, Howard Sessums Men’s Basketball Award; Javontae Spivey of Forest, Homer F. Hunter Athletic Managers Award; Aaron Rainey of Saucier, Andrew F. Webb Football Award; Demetreuna Rankin of Forest, Jack B. Mayo Phi Theta Kappa Award; and Mackenzie Johnson of Nanih Waiya, Dr. Edwin Miller Medical Services Award.
Faculty Memorial Awards were presented to Matthew Moore of Decatur, Aaron R. Davis Memorial Scholarship; Savannah Watkins of Louisvillle, Frank Edwin & Nena Holt Leatherwood Biology Science Award; Larry Reed, Jr., of Decatur, Dr. Shelby L. Harris Memorial Scholarship; Haileigh Cleveland of Chunky, J. Wallace Bedwell Business Award; Andrew Weir of Newton, Frank M. Cross Freshman Chemistry Award; Joshua Warnsley of Decatur, J. Andy Miller Freshman Engineering Award; Jesse Alexander of Philadelphia, O.L. Newell Drafting Award; Anna Brown of Forest, Charles E. Pennington Business Technology Award; Savanna Baucum of Decatur, Robert G. Fick Memorial Scholarship; Breann Nicholson of Philadelphia and Reagan Gorgas of Decatur, co-recipients, Ruth Hull Memorial Wo-He-Lo Award; Jacob Edwards of Decatur and Davis Lott of Clinton, co-recipients, Jamie Clark Memorial Baseball Award; Christian Sharpe of Walnut Grove, Leon Eubanks Kaljyc-Peers Leadership Award; Miriam Patrick of Forest, L.B. Simmons History Award; Kalyn Smith of Carthage, Thomas W. Thrash Memorial Scholarship; and Joshua Grimes of Lake, General William Patrick Wilson Academic Scholarship.
