1995

WEEK OF ·A ,,.1_ ) Cl)

nity College sophomore was select– ed for a top·spot on the 10-member "first team." "I'm very overwhelmed and very honored because I am an older stu– dent," said Gooch, who's majoring in physical therapy and plans to trans– fer to theUniversityofMississippi. "I think about my two teen.sons. I hope this can be an inspiration." Each of the 47 studen ts was nominated by his or her college and selected for either a first, second or third team by a 40-judge paneL All 47 have been nominated for theAll– USA AcademicTeam, which will be

By Cathy Hayd'n Clarton-Ladger StaffWriter ' • Coni Gooch'hopes shE! can be an ' inspiration to her children. ' Gooch is one of 47 Mississippi oommu'nity and junior college stu– dents honored Wednesday as mem– bers of t he 1995 Mississippi All– State Academic Teams. The com– petition ·is sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa two-year college bon- " or society, the Mississippi Associa– tion ofCommunity and Junior Col– leges and several corporate spon~ sors, including The Clarion-Ledger. The 41-year-old Hinds Commu-

announced in April. AmyMcMahan, who represented the MetroChamber ofCommerce as a judge, said she_was impressed With the caliber of students. Of the top 10, three are older adults. "Some oftheir essays about what education meant to them would bring you to tears," McMahan said ofthe older students.

·· Each student received a medallion presented by David Pierce, president ofthe American Association ofCom– munity Colleges, at the Ramada Inn Coliseum. Robyn Cagle, 36, a Pearl River making scholaStic 'first telm' . . "

Community College student, cred– ited college faculty and family sup- port for her honor. , " I'm happy to represent Pearl River," she said. "That burning de– sire for education has always been there. With the encouragement of my husband, I decided to enroll. I didn't think I could do it." HeatherWalker, 19,a JonesCoun– ty Junior College student, said she appreciated the judges looking for more than .high academic achieve– ment. She's also involved in student governmentand sports. "Theylooked at a well-rounded student," she said .

ALL·STATE ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

• JamesC. Byrd, 20, Jones County Junior College • Robyn D. Cagle, 36! Pearl River Community College. • Kate M. Fountain, 20, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College • Daniel Fox Jr., 43, Meridian Community College • Coni Gooch, 41, Hinds Community College • Wanda D. Gray, 21, MississiPP,i Gulf Coast.Commu_nity College • Jennifer L. Hussey, 20, Northeast Mississippi Community College • Amanda L. Jones, 20, SoUthwest Mississippi Community CoUege • Mandy Sessllms, 20, East Central Community College • Heather C.Walker, 19, Jones County Junior College

APPEARED IN:

CARTHAGINIAN NESHOBA DEMOCRAT NEWTON RECORD CLARION - LEDGER

SCOTT COUNTY T IX~ S UNION APPEAL WINSTON COUNTY JOCR~A~ MERIDI AN STAR