Browsing: People

Taylor Garretson, a senior at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), was crowned the 2025 Mississippi Miss Hospitality during the final night of competition held July 19 at the Historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater. The Greene County native emerged at the top of a highly competitive field of 47 contestants from across the state, following a rigorous week of interviews, speeches and stage presentations.

The St. Martin High School girls’ flag football team recently won the inaugural Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state championship. They defeated George County High School in the final game, which was part of the first-ever MHSAA flag football season. The team, along with several of its seniors, has been recognized for its historic achievement and its impact on the sport in Mississippi. 

Congratulations to Landon Harmon, a recent graduate of of East Union Attendance Center, for being selected by the Washington Nationals as the overall #80 pick in the Major League Baseball draft. 

By now, most Mississippians have heard of the death of one of our state’s most cherished wartime veterans: Colonel Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, USAF, Ret., passed away Sunday, July 6, at the age of 96.

University of Mississippi pharmacy professor Adam Pate recently showcased and shared his knowledge and experience with an international audience in Japan.

Glenn Anglada dreamt of owning his own 3D printing business and using his engineering knowledge to make an impact along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Anglada’s dream is now a reality because of The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Ocean Engineering Entrepreneurship Pathway (OEEP) program, which prepares graduates for success in the state’s Blue Economy. Anglada put his skills to the test and became the first graduate of the program, which is committed to establishing the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the nation’s leader in ocean science, engineering and technology.

Mississippi State’s Noah Sullivan was selected as the Division I Baseball Academic All-American of the Year by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday.

Wyatt Thistle’s smile, joy and hugs were legendary, and many people considered him their best friend. The 20-year-old from Alamo Heights, Texas, died earlier this year in a boating accident, but the University of Mississippi chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity is making sure his legacy lives on.

Mississippi State’s own Andrew Rendon, the university’s executive director for veteran and military affairs, is the Magnolia State’s 2025 Veteran of the Year, designated by MilitaryFriendly.com. In addition to his civilian role as a longtime professional member of MSU’s Division of Student Affairs, Rendon is a brigadier general in the Mississippi National Guard.

wind doesn’t care about your story. The slope won’t adjust out of sympathy. Yet somehow, some players make the game look effortless. Not because it is, but because they’ve worked hard, the grind has become part of their character.

Dr. Jessica Pruett, a researcher at The University of Southern Mississippi, who has spotlighted the importance of Mississippi Oyster Research and its past, present and future impacts on the Blue Economy, has received the BioOne Ambassador Award. The award is given to five early-career researchers who display great communication skills and public understanding and awareness of scientific topics.

Wren Moore, now six years old, first visited Mississippi’s Art Museum and fell in love with drawing when she was only three years old. Now, Moore is using her love of art to create art galleries of her work at home, helping others.

Pete Taggard never expected skateboarding to save his life.  But when a doctor warned that Type 2 Diabetes was threatening…

When we talk about the founding of Mississippi, the conversation often drifts to riverboats, cotton empires, or Andrew Jackson’s infamous duels. But tucked quietly into the folds of early American history is a name that deserves far more recognition: David Holmes—a statesman, a gentleman, and the man often called “The Father of Mississippi.”

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) recently presented General Joe Spraggins with the 2025 Friendship Oak Award at its annual awards day ceremony held on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, in recognition of his ongoing dedication and support of critical projects to advance marine research and sustainability. As the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), Spraggins’ commitment and partnership with Southern Miss and the Mississippi Gulf Coast have been invaluable.

So, the 2025 NEMCABB All-Star Baseball Games took place this past Saturday, May 31, at the Corinth High School Baseball Field in Corinth, Mississippi.  

In case you are unfamiliar with the history behind NEMCABB, it all started in December of 1989 at an ICC Baseball Clinic, the college’s first annual camp, actually. Several area baseball coaches discussed the need for their best senior baseball players from North Mississippi to garner more scouting exposure and recognition, outside the statewide all-star games already held annually in Jackson.