17 April Skills That Pay awards $1,000 bonuses to 12 Northeast MS students April 17, 2026 By Camp, Tyler W Career Center, General 0 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 industries that rely on this talent pipeline.” Students applied for the signing bonus through a video submission process, sharing their career goals and how the funds would help them begin their journey. The program aims to highlight the value of skilled trades and encourage more students to consider these pathways. “At Itawamba Community College, we see every day the value of hands-on training and career-focused education,” said Dr. Jay Allen, President of Itawamba Community College. “These students are making smart decisions that will serve them well for years to come.” The campaign also included a Content Creator Challenge, encouraging students to use social media to showcase skilled career pathways. Matthew Davis received a $2,000 cash award for his winning submission. Mississippi continues to face a shortage of workers in key industries, including advanced manufacturing, energy, transportation and logistics, healthcare, information technology, and construction. These careers offer competitive salaries without requiring a four-year degree. The Skills That Pay campaign was launched to raise awareness of these opportunities and challenge outdated perceptions about careers in the skilled workforce. For more information, visit skillsthatpay.ms. or follow @skillsthatpayms on social media. Related Articles Campbell, Montgomery receive MAACE Students of the Year awards Itawamba Community College Adult Education graduates Cristal Campbell of Tremont and Rosalyn Montgomery of Plantersville have been selected as Students of the Year for 2023-24 by the Mississippi Association of Adult and Community Education. Montgomery, wife, mother, grandmother and family matriarch, passed her high school equivalency exam at the age of 68, less than a month after her birthday. She had to drop out of school at the age of 12 to care for her brothers and sisters while her parents worked. Over many years, she attended adult education classes, and she made a promise to her mother and herself that she would not give up, despite a medical condition that proves difficult for her to read for extended periods of time. “I wanted to complete something I started,” Montgomery said upon passing the high school equivalency test. “I wanted to be a role model and show people that if you put in the time and work, you will be victorious.” Her teacher and nominator for the award Shundria Whitfield said, “Not only did Mrs. Montgomery come to class daily, ... ICC art students bring home state awards Itawamba Community College art students brought home four awards in this year’s Mississippi Community College State Art Competition hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gautier. Winners included Camille Campbell of Tupelo, third place and a $50 cash award in the category of Painting for her acrylic painting titled ‘Woman’s Portrait;’ Laken Templeton of Pontotoc, first place and a $100 cash award in Digital Art for her Adobe Illustrator rendering of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ titled ‘Apprehension’ and second place and $75 cash award in 3D-Design for her hand-sewn recreation of ‘The Laughing Cavalier’, a 17th century masterpiece by the Dutch painter Frans Hals; and Mov Etheridge of Baldwyn, honorable mention in 3D-Design for her sculpture ‘Chinese Guitar.’ Other participating ICC art students include Harleigh Roberts of Baldwyn; Raymond Everett of Blue Springs; Jacob Brees of Hernando; Maleigh Collier of Nettleton; Anna Maclaine Griffith, Marlee Schaefer, both of Pontotoc; Katie Pilgrim and Josie Kate Reeves, both of Tupelo. Artwork of the winners will be on display through Mar. 26 in the 33rd annual Student Art Exhibition and Competition of the Mississippi Community ... ICC Associate Degree Nursing faculty, students win state awards Itawamba Community College’s faculty and students won prestigious awards at the Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing conference recently in Biloxi. ICC’s students won the College Bowl, which consisted of correct responses to NCLEX-RN questions, over opponent teams from nine other community Colleges. Members include Tiree Jones of Aberdeen, Alexis Derrick of Ecru, Kaci Wood of Mantachie and Alexis Koonce of Saltillo. Of the three faculty awards presented this year, ICC brought home two. Anna Lewis of Mantachie won the Professional Development Award, which was established by the MOADN Board of Directors to support the professional development efforts of associate degree nurse educators. Criteria include employment by an accredited ADN program in Mississippi, membership in MOADN either as an individual or program member and willingness to present the professional development activity at the next annual convention. She will be reimbursed for up to $1,000 for certification as a certified nurse educator. Lauren Murphree of Bruce won the Innovative Faculty Award for the Escape Room that she developed for Fundamentals content as an active learning ... ICC art students receive six awards at state competition Itawamba Community College’s art students have received awards for work they submitted in the 2019 MC/JCAIA (state community college competition) hosted by Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson. They include Oscar Gonzalez of Ecru, second place in 2D design for “Phoenix,” first place in drawing for “Naomi” and second place in 3D design for “Golden Guitar;” Taylor Cash of Belmont, honorable mention in 2D design for “Ghostlight;” Tyler Griffin of Tupelo, honorable mention in 3D design for “Stale;” and Madelyn “Charlie” Weeks of Winfield, Ala., honorable mention in painting for “Blue Haze.” They will be honored at a reception and awards ceremony at Copiah-Lincoln Community College at noon, Mar. 22. Additional students whose work was selected to represent ICC include Theo Lyle of Amory; Ireland McDowell, Taylor Lentz, both of Fulton; Jasmine Raden of Tupelo; Lena Blanton of Comanche, Okla. and Nancy Garcia-Martinez of Pontotoc. ICC’s six awards were the second largest total among the 12 community college participants. The college with the most awards earned seven. In addition ... ICC students win state creative writing awards Several Itawamba Community College students recently received awards from the Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association for their work. They include Jalynn Black of McCool, third place in Short Stories for “The Voice That Wouldn’t Fade;” Sharlee Shumpert of Mooreville, third place in Poetry for “I Am Ambitious” and Sara Davis of Smithville, second place in Poetry for “Preacher Man.” In addition, ICC’s literary magazine, The Calliope, placed second. Chief editor is Shawn Whittington of Saltillo, and English instructor Keith Morris of Tupelo, poetry editor. State-level winners will receive certificates and a copy of The Community College Writer, which publishes the student winners. Statewide first, second and third place winners’ monetary prizes include $100, $60 and $40 respectively. ICC students among recipients of 2021 Creative Writing awards Three students at Itawamba Community College were among the winners in the 2021 Mississippi Community College Creative Writers Association competition. They include Valerie Murrell of Mooreville, first place in creative nonfiction for “Blessed Beyond Belief;” Charlie Wright of Randolph, first place in drama for “East Of Damnation: Chapter 1;” and Morgan Wilson of Tupelo, third place in short fiction for “A Trait Very Much Admirable.” Wright also won a first place award last year. The competition included poetry, short story, essay (creative nonfiction), literary essay, dramatic writing and college literary magazine. The awards were presented Apr. 23 during a virtual ceremony originating at the Pearl River Forest County Center in Hattiesburg. Comments are closed.