April 24, 2026
Surrounded by the mentors who helped guide them, 19 area students were recognized Tuesday, April 21 at 91福利鈥檚 Poplarville Campus as recipients of the new IMPACT Scholarship. Each student was joined by the individual they selected in their application as having a lasting impact on their educational journey.
During the luncheon, Executive Director of Development Foundation and Alumni Services Delana Harris shared the story behind the new scholarship and the process students undertook to apply. Other speakers included Vice President of Poplarville Campus Dr. Jeff Long, Miss Pearl River County Laura Smith, and Director of Marketing and Recruitment Dr. Kari Eve Valence.
鈥淭he IMPACT Scholarship represents the very best of what we strive to achieve at 91福利,鈥� said Harris. 鈥淣ot only does it recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academic success, but it also honors the teachers and mentors who have played a meaningful role in shaping their journey.鈥�
Funded by an anonymous donor, the program seeks to recognize both outstanding students and the people who inspired them. Each recipient will receive a $500 scholarship for fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters. The educators recognized by the students were gifted a PRCC-branded mug and a $50 Amazon gift card.
鈥淪cholarships like this are critical to helping our students enroll, persist, and ultimately graduate, opening the door to meaningful careers,鈥� said Harris. 鈥淲hat makes the IMPACT Scholarship especially powerful is its recognition that student success is never achieved alone鈥攊t is guided and strengthened by those who invest in them along the way.鈥�
2026-2027 IMPACT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS & EDUCATORS
The following students were recognized alongside a Teacher of Impact who played a meaningful role in their academic journey:
Emilee Battaglia, Hancock County Career and Technical Center/Hancock High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Mrs. April Davis
Logan Benke, Pearl River Central High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Dr. Louis Henderson
Ashleigh Breland, Oak Grove High School (Health Science Program) 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Laura Fails, RN
Olivia Cardona, Pearl River Central High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Dr. Louis Henderson
Isabella Dubose, Forrest County Agricultural High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Ms. Rebecca Farmer
Emma Hopkins, Hancock County Career and Technical Center/Hancock High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Mrs. April Davis
Slade Johnson, Hattiesburg School District 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Summer Johnson
Addison Lang, Bay High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Brandy Schruff
Braxton Mullings, Poplarville Career Center/Poplarville High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Donna Baxter
Liliana Pacheco, Oak Grove High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Mrs. Fails
Baylee Parrett, West Marion High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Mr. Homer Holloway
Madelyn Reed, Forrest County Agricultural High School (CTE Drafting) 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Mrs. Sarah Grice
Raleigh Seal, Hancock County Career and Technical Center/Hancock High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Ms. LaShea Wilson
Morgan Simmons, Forrest County Agricultural High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Andrew Smigielski
Caydence Smith, Columbia Academy 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Dr. Scott Oliver
Arabella Steelman, Pearl River Central High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Cory Dees
Jaiden Van Buren, Oak Grove High School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Suzie Welch Shuck
Samuel Whittington, PCS Elementary School 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Mrs. Rene Foster
Zachary Zehentner, Columbia Academy 鈥� Teacher of Impact: Mrs. Rebecca Bass
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Laura O’Neill.
