30 April ICC honors area students at 2026 Awards of Distinction ceremony April 30, 2026 By Camp, Tyler W General 0 Itawamba Community College recognized student achievement during its annual Student Awards of Distinction program held Monday, April 27, on the Fulton Campus. The program honored students for excellence in academics, leadership and service across a wide range of disciplines and campus involvement. Recipients and their awards include: Aberdeen — Austin Blake, Construction Management Technology; Karry Lindley, Hall of Fame and History; Sierra Lochala, Music; Amory — Ella Browning, Radiologic Technology; Bailey Knight, Political Science; Lexie May, Modern Foreign Language; Brayden Rowland, Physics; Olivia Salisbury, Early Childhood Education Technology; Melanie Wise, Paralegal Technology; Belden — Karastan Gamble, Sociology and Social Science Division; Blue Springs — Linda Wages, Precision Machining; Bruce — Noah Morgan, Economics; Charlie Ann Spradling, Biology; Coldwater — Brooklynn Rich, Criminal Justice; Columbus — Kyle Green, Forestry Technology; Brady Hogan, Computer Networking Technology; Corinth — Madden Butler, Health, Physical Education and Recreation; Teena Jones, Public Health; Ecru — Cason Westmoreland, C.O.R.E. Graduate; Eldridge, AL — Kylie Long, Theatre; Etta — Tristen Hearn, Occupational Therapy Assistant; Eupora — Logan Wright, Business Statistics; Fulton — Laken Brown, Phi Theta Kappa Upsilon Sigma Chapter Outstanding President; Ava Lentz, Social Work; Hagen McDonald, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology; Shawna Pullen, Business and Marketing Management Technology; Aubrey Smith, Physical Therapist Assistant; Golden — Katelynn Montgomery, Applied Mathematics and Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key Award and All-Mississippi Transfer First Team; Amber Thomas, Surgical Technology; Guntown — Gabriel McCullough, C.O.R.E. Graduate; Sydney Palmer, Hall of Fame; Ryan Taylor, Mathematics Division; Hamilton — Shelby Sullivan, Hall of Fame; Houston — Cristian Espiricueta, Welding and Cutting Technology; Kimberly Peach, Larry Loden ADN Nursing Hall of Fame; Iuka — Cole Richardson, Respiratory Care; Mantachie — Jana Cate Thompson, Associate Degree Nursing; Ava Trulove, Associate Degree Nursing; Marietta — Branson Taylor, Industrial Maintenance Technology; McCool — Jackson Ellard, Jeanette Carr-Winkler Caring Award; Medina, TN — Taylar Shands, Health, Physical Education and Recreation Division; Mooreville — Savannah Shumpert, Chemistry; Sharlee Shumpert, Geography and Journalism and Communications Division; Nettleton — Samantha Ricks, Health Information Technology; New Albany — Anna Laren Glasson, Hall of Fame; Okolona — Desiree Blanchard, Mary Walden Professionalism in Nursing; Plantersville — Zoey Craft, All-Mississippi Transfer Second Team; Pontotoc — Adriana Carter, Criminal Justice Technology; Nikki Causey, Practical Nursing; Evan Coker, Public Speaking; David Gaspar-Hernandez, Accounting; Sarah Gillen, C.O.R.E. Graduate; Makarthy Lane, Hall of Fame; Landon Long, Hall of Fame; Isaiah Pannell, Art; Molly Sansing, Hall of Fame; Josie Warren, Fine Arts Division; Saltillo — Seth Clark, Robotics and Automation Technology; David Langdon, Diesel Equipment Technology; JC Smallwood, Computer Programming Technology; Shannon — Chase LaMontagne, Electrical Technology; Smithville — Anna Kate Crenshaw, Hall of Fame and Miss ICC; Aleena Gregory, Hall of Fame and Business Administration Division; Will Hathcote, Mr. ICC; Jennifer Thomas, Health Information Technology; Tupelo — Cherish Brown, Hall of Fame; Bella Cochran, Hall of Fame and Phi Theta Kappa Upsilon Sigma Chapter Outstanding President; Adam Elmaghraby, Computer Science and Computer Science Division; Jessenia Fernandez, Earnest Ruth Agnew Spirit of Giving Award; Clay Hinds, Forestry Technology; Ocean Ivy, English; Codi Kennamore, Janis Howell Nursing Excellence Award; Alex Metcalf, Automotive Technology; Vidhi Patel, Natural Science Division; Hallie Tenhet, Hall of Fame; Bela Wallace, Psychology; Caitlyn Wilson, Emergency Medical Sciences; and Weir — Laken Busby, Diagnostic Medical Sonography. ICC President Dr. Jay Allen praised the honorees for their dedication and achievements. “These students represent the very best of Itawamba Community College,” Allen said. “Their commitment to excellence and willingness to go above and beyond demonstrate the impact one person can make.” The Student Awards of Distinction program is part of ICC’s annual Celebration of Achievement, recognizing accomplishments of students, faculty and staff across the College. Related Articles ICC to present student awards of distinction during May 5 ceremony Itawamba Community College will present its student awards of distinction in a special ceremony, May 5, at 6 p.m. at the W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center on the Fulton Campus. Recipients and their awards include Abbeville – Emily Shoffner, Jeanette Carr Winkler Caring; Aberdeen – Sydney Allmond, Electrical Technology; Hannah McNeese, Health, Physical Education and Recreation Division; Amory – Carli Cole, Phi Theta Kappa Upsilon Sigma Cutturini and Prochaska Service Award; Brad Odom, Forestry Technology; Ashland – Robert Chase Rogers, Mississippi Highway Patrol C.O.R.E.; Belden – Jordan Herring, Public Health Technology; Blue Springs – Wes Steele, Hall of Fame; Booneville – James Thomas, Emergency Medical Sciences Technology – Paramedic; Crawford – Joe Stoll, Emergency Medical Sciences Technology – Paramedic; Dennis – Dustin Brandon, Hospitality Management Technology; Eupora – Daniel Rogers, Statistics Department; Fulton – Jamerica Chaney, Criminal Justice Technology; Wyatt Logan, Larry Loden Associate Degree Nursing Hall of Fame; Gaia Sordo, Business Administration Division, Accounting Department, Phi Theta Kappa Upsilon Sigma Jolene Hoots Service Award; Matthew Wheeler, English Department, ... ICC honors 2026 Meritorious Award recipients Itawamba Community College recognized outstanding employees for excellence in service, leadership and instruction during its 2026 Faculty and Staff Awards of Distinction ceremony held April 27 on the Fulton Campus. The annual Meritorious Awards, ICC's highest employee honors recognize those whose contributions reflect a commitment to students and the mission of ICC. Support Staff of the Year honors were awarded to Chad Price, maintenance tech/electrician in the Physical Plant, of Greenwood Springs, and Brittnie Wildmon, office assistant in Human Resources, of Fulton. Professional/Administrative Professional of the Year recipients were Jason Dickinson, chief of police for Campus Police, of Mantachie, and Rachel Steele, director of admissions and registrar, of Fulton. Faculty of the Year honors were presented to Adam Denton, program director and instructor of respiratory therapy, of Saltillo, and Scott Emison, program director and instructor of construction management technology, of Pontotoc. Jimmy Whitehead, instructor of industrial maintenance/electrical technology, of Booneville, was recognized with the Excellence in Outstanding Faculty Member award, endowed by John Cleveland and Beth Cleveland. Additionally, Masha Laney, history instructor and William Winter Scholar, of Amory, and Dr. Anna Morgan, piano instructor ... Area high school students win awards during ICC's National Day on Writing Several area high school students are among the winners in Itawamba Community College’s annual National Day on Writing celebration. They include Amory High School – Gloria Grace Beasley, third, painting, “Dance with Me;” Jacob Kyle, honorable mention, poetry, “Phrases;” Li’Metrius Vasser, honorable mention, poetry, “Momma I Finally Made It;” Madeline Martin, honorable mention, poetry, “Fake Poems;” Pontotoc High School – Alexia Hunter, honorable mention, drawing, “No Escape: Aiden’s Story;” Andy Jones, honorable mention, essay, “The Day the World Burned;” Bailey Jones, third, poetry, “Mother Nature;” Brittany Stephens, honorable mention, short story, “Life Lesson;” Chloe Mabus, honorable mention, poetry, “When It Comes;” Cole Norris, first, short story, “The Mysterious Stranger;” Danielle Carter, third, short story, “One Step Behind;” Jaleesha Dandridge, second, short story, “Going Up Head First;” Jaslyn Hopkins, second, essay, “Precious Child;” Jayde Richardson, third, poetry, “Black and Blue;” Jenelle Hankins, second, drawing, “The Charge of Chargers;” Jeridiane Ray, honorable mention, painting, “Nature’s Paradox;” Lauren Trimble, first, essay, “A Heartbreak in Flames;” Madeline Pounders, third, essay, “Tupelo Twister;” Makayla Boyd, honorable mention, drawing, “Ardent ... Little, Hoing, Sheffield earn MHIMA awards, honors Itawamba Community College’s Health Information Technology instructor Lori Little of Fulton and students Misty Sheffield of Fulton and Claudia Michaela Hoing of Thaxton have received awards and honors from the Mississippi Health Information Management Association. Little was the recipient of both the 2018 Educator and Mentor awards, and Sheffield and Hoing were presented MSHIMA scholarships for outstanding academic performance. Little earned the associate’s degree from ICC, bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and master’s degree from Union University. Her professional honors and activities include HOSA Adviser of the Year, Leadership Itawamba, AHIMA first year delegate, MSHIMA member liaison, Northeast Council president and a member of numerous college committees. Little is a member of Bethel Baptist Church and also an instructor for adult basic education. She and her husband, David, have two children, Cassidy and Cooper. The Educator award honors those who demonstrate excellence in preparing the next generation of professionals for their HIM careers, and the Mentor award honors those with long records of encouraging students or colleagues to realize their full potential and who ... Skills That Pay awards $1,000 bonuses to 12 Northeast MS students Twelve students from across Northeast Mississippi were recognized Thursday at Itawamba Community College as recipients of the Skills That Pay “Signing Bonus,” earning $1,000 each as they take the next step into high-demand skilled careers. The regional signing ceremony celebrated students who have committed to entering the workforce in fields such as welding, construction, utilities, and manufacturing. The event was hosted by Skills That Pay, a campaign of the Skills Foundation of Mississippi, and sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority. “These students are choosing careers that are essential to Mississippi’s future,” said Clifton Carroll, Executive Director of the Skills Foundation of Mississippi. “They’re stepping into opportunities that offer stability, strong wages, and long-term growth, and we’re proud to support them as they take that next step.” “TVA is proud to support the Skills That Pay campaign because it recognizes students who are choosing career paths that strengthen our communities and grow our region’s economy,” said Amy Tate, TVA’s Southwest Region Executive. “We know that when students pursue skilled careers, it benefits not only their families, but also the local businesses and ... ICC's Health Sciences Division to host Code Blue and Red event for students from 12 area schools Itawamba Community College’s Health Sciences Division will host a Code Blue and Red event from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 10, in the Health Science Education Center at the Tupelo Campus. Students from 12 area schools will be on campus in two shifts (8:30 and 10:15 a.m.) to view simulations of three real-life scenarios, said Michael Holloway, director of recruitment and orientation. A North Mississippi Medical Center ambulance will arrive, and the students will see first-hand the need for and the role healthcare professionals play in the process. “It will be an impactful program,” Holloway said, “Our hope is that these students see the ‘real-life’ expertise used by the graduates of ICC’s programs.” Participating programs include students and faculty from Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Sciences, Health Information, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology. Dean of Health Science Instruction Tonya Vaughn said that this event will be an exceptional interprofessional education opportunity. “IEP is a new emphasis area in healthcare education. The goal of these efforts is to develop knowledge, ... Comments are closed.