Contact: Sammy McDavid
Mississippi State today announced a record number of high school seniors as the university's 13th annual selections for its largest single financial awards.
The $30,000 Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholarships cover the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and books for four years of study on the Starkville campus.
Chosen by a special committee, the 2000 Schillig Scholars group brings together six students from Mississippi, three from Alabama and one from Arkansas. Two of the 10 have perfect American College Test composite scores, two others hold the title of Junior Miss and still another is the brother of a current Schillig scholar.
The new members include:
--Joshua O. Blades of Sylacauga, Ala., and Sylacauga High School;
--Holli C. Hitt of Knoxville, Ala., and Tuscaloosa County High School;
--Kristi L. Irons of Philadelphia and Neshoba Central High School;
--William W. Jones III of Calhoun City and Calhoun City High School;
--Frank E. Lilley Jr. of Jackson and Clinton High School;
--Eddie Martin of Northport, Ala., also of Tuscaloosa County High School;
--Katherine S. McIntosh of Brandon and Northwest Rankin High School;
--Candace P. Patterson of Almyra, Ark., and DeWitt (Ark.) High School;
--Ronald W. Robertson Jr. of Greenwood and Pillow Academy; and
--Craig Ross of Vicksburg and Vicksburg High School.
Robertson and Ross both achieved perfect 36 composite scores on the American College Test. Irons is Mississippi's Junior Miss, while Hitt reigns over Tuscaloosa County. Martin is the brother of Keva Martin, a TCHS alumnae selected for a Schillig two years ago.
Donald Zacharias, MSU president emeritus and committee chair, said this year's group represents the largest number ever added to the Schillig Scholarship program at one time.
"The Schillig Scholars of Mississippi State represent some of the best minds in our state and region," Zacharias added. "These are superior students who have demonstrated leadership potential and academic achievement."
First made available in 1987, the leadership awards were established through a major endowment from the private Schillig Trust of Port Gibson. Three of the 20 currently enrolled Schillig Scholars are scheduled to graduate in May.
Nearly 470 applicants were considered for this year's awards. The 10 new members and their families will be recognized formally April 9 at a campus luncheon preceding Scholarship Recognition Day activities.
Schillig Scholars participate in a variety of special campus activities and meet regularly with leaders in education, industry, government, and business. They also are expected to be active in student organizations and programs.
Of the group now on campus, Jason Giompoletti of Brownsville, Tenn., Christy McWhirter of Pontotoc and Alicia Pellegrino of Biloxi are seniors in their final semester. Giompoletti is completing his second consecutive term as MSU Student Association treasurer.
In the junior class are John Kosko, also of Greenwood, Katie McAlister of Tupelo, Jenny Reeves of Oxford, and Jonathan Scott of Saucier.
Sophomore scholars include Mary Ellen Brown of DeKalb, Natalie Jones, also of Jackson, Sebron Harrison of Prentiss, Cooper Long, also of Tupelo, the previously cited Keva Martin of Tuscaloosa, and Ana Maria Bertasi of Germantown, Tenn.
Brian Barnes of Clarksdale, Lauren Becnel of Gulfport, Abbie Davidson of Mt. Olive, Ala., Katie Mullins of Milton, Fla., Gordon Pace, another Tupelo resident, Lynn Parker of Clarksdale, and Emily Sanford of Starkville make up the freshman members.