NMCC Names 10 Students to 2014-15 Hall of Fame

Northwest Mississippi Community College President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears (far left) congratulates (front row, left to right) Ashley Simon of Senatobia, Amelia Bailey of Pope, Dalton Hurt of Hernando, Holly Newman of Olive Branch, (second row, left to right) Chip Malone of Lake Cormorant, Matthew Morris of Olive Branch, Summer Cooper of Hernando and Barbara Arbuckle of Oxford for their induction into the 2014-2015 Northwest Hall of Fame. Not pictured are Courtney Robinson of Hernando and Summer Steakley of Olive Branch.
Photo by Julie Bauer

Ten Northwest Mississippi Community College students have been inducted into the 2014 -2015 Northwest Hall of Fame, the highest honor a Northwest student can attain based upon their academic prowess and involvement in student life at the college. The group was honored at the Feb. 12 Board of Trustees meeting on the Senatobia campus.

Six Hall of Fame students are from the Senatobia campus.

Holly Newman of Olive Branch, who is studying pre-engineering, graduated from Olive Branch High School. While at Northwest, Newman was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta Math Society, and the Lady Ranger soccer team. Her honors include Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, All-State and Northwest Soccer Player of the Month and Mu Alpha Theta Math Society, secretary. She plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and would like to work for Smith and Nephew.

Michael “Chip” Malone of Lake Cormorant is studying theatre at Northwest. He is a graduate of Lake Cormorant High School. While at Northwest, he was a part of the Northwest Concert, Jazz and Marching Bands; the Northwest Players; the Northwest tennis team and the Baptist Student Union. Malone was honored as an Outstanding Student and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He has received awards for theatre from the Northwest Mississippi Theater Alliance and was a recipient of the Irene Ryan Acting Award. He plans to graduate from Mississippi State University and become an athletic director at a Division I college.

Ashley Simon of Senatobia is a graduate of Senatobia High School and is studying theatre at Northwest. Simon plans to transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi, major in theatre and minor in English. While at Northwest, Simon was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and student recruiters. Simon was also a member of the Northwest Concert and Marching Bands and the Northwest Players. She was an active member of the Baptist Student Union. She received the Irene Ryan Acting Award.

Summer Steakley of Olive Branch is a nursing student at Northwest. She graduated from Magnolia Heights School and plans to obtain a degree from The University of Mississippi Medical Center nurse practitioner program and pursue a career in pediatrics. Steakley was a member of the Student Nurses Association, Baptist Student Union and Ranger Softball team. Her honors include Phi Theta Kappa, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and the Homecoming Court.

Dalton Hurt of Hernando is studying elementary education at Northwest. She graduated from Lewisburg High School. At Northwest, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Baptist Student Union and was president of the Northwest Education Association. She was honored as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Outstanding Student and Senatobia Rotary Club Student of the Month. Hurt plans to transfer to The University of Mississippi and purse a degree in education. She plans to begin teaching right away.

Amelia Belle Bailey of Pope is studying music education at Northwest. While at Northwest, Bailey was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta Math Society, the Northwest Marching and Concert Bands, the Northwest Singers, the Baptist Student Union Worship Band and the Northwest Education Association. Bailey, a graduate of South Panola High School, hopes to obtain a degree in vocal music education and teach music fundamentals to children. She would like to work in music ministry.

Three Hall of Fame students come from the DeSoto Center. Matthew Morris, who is studying pre-veterinary medicine, is from Olive Branch and graduated from Center Hill High School. While at Northwest, he was a member of the Spanish Club and Phi Theta Kappa. He plans to graduate from Mississippi State University with a master’s degree in veterinary medicine. He would like to open his own veterinary clinic to help improve Memphis animal care.

Courtney J. Robinson, who is studying secondary education, is from Hernando and graduated from Hernando High School. While at Northwest, Robinson was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He plans to attend a graduate school to pursue a doctoral degree. He would also like to own a Zaxby’s restaurant.

Respiratory Therapy student Summer Cooper of Hernando is also representing the DeSoto Center in the Northwest Hall of Fame. Cooper graduated from Hernando High School. While at Northwest, she was a member of the Respiratory Therapy Society. Her goal is to attend The University of Mississippi and obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She desires to become a director of respiratory therapy in a hospital.

Representing the Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center is Barbara Arbuckle, a nursing student from Oxford. Arbuckle graduated from Lafayette High School. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Gamma Beta Phi at Northwest. Arbuckle was admitted to the Northwest Nursing program while dual enrolled in The University of Mississippi B.S.N. program. She plans to become a nurse practitioner.