2023 December Warrior web

CLIBURN CROWNED HOMECOMING QUEEN East Central Community College crowned Molly Catherine Cliburn as the 2023 Homecoming Queen during halftime of ECCC’s 28-21 overtime victory over No. 9 Northeast Mississippi Community College. Cliburn, a graduate of Union High School, is the daughter of Gene and Sherri Cliburn. The sophomore serves as the captain of the Centralettes dance team, vice president of the student body association, secretary of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and president of the Encore Players. She was escorted by Bryce Chisolm, the son of Jeff Chisolm and Beth Forman of Walnut Grove. Cliburn was crowned by East Central Community College President Dr. Brent Gregory and was presented a bouquet of flowers from 2022 Homecoming Queen Nahriah Brown of Decatur. Freshman maids included Madelynn Cook of Union and her escort Eli Ridgon of Union, Kera Grace Easley of Philadelphia and her escort Markus Porche of Philadelphia, Miriam Prince of Philadelphia and her escort Reed Young of Carthage, and Destiny Williams of Stonewall and her escort Logan Lyons of Choctaw. Sophomore maids were Maggie Bounds of Decatur and her escort Kolton Cockerham of Union, Regan Bryan of Meridian and her escort Parker Martin of Brandon, Madison Buckley of Union and her escort Marvin Jackson IV of Jackson, and Kaithlyn Jackson of Little Rock and her escort Wilson Jackson of Little Rock.

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BEN

Native Big Brothers Big Sisters Organi zation. He has been a long supporter of Local Boys and Girls Club organi zations. His work with Tribal youth promotes peer and elder mentorships, personal goal-setting and an apprecia tion of Choctaw Self-Determination. In 2020 Chief Ben was announced as a recipient of the Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Award recognizing his volunteerism within the State of Mississippi. Tribal Chief Ben was a small busi ness owner in Neshoba County for 16 years (Choctaw Office Supply). He con tinues to work with local government and state agencies to help provide bet ter way of life for all citizens, not just his tribal communities. This includes but is not limited to law enforcement and business opportunities. ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory said, “Chief Ben is an outstanding alumnus who represents his fam ily, his community, and East Central Community College well. He continues to partner with the college today in educational advancements that benefit

both the tribe and the surrounding areas.” Tribal Chief Ben can be found most weekends at a ballfield as a coach, parent, or supporter, sometimes at the same time. It is not uncommon to find him in the stands of local school games. Chief Ben knows the impor tance of supporting Choctaw students and athletes locally and across the country. An enrolled member of the Missis sippi Band of Choctaw Indians and a fluent speaker of his native Choctaw language, Chief Ben is a life-long resi dent of Neshoba County and the Pearl River community, where he resides with his wife TaRita, who is also an ECCC alumna, and their children, Bro die, Eden and Selah. A graduate of Mississippi College, Chief Ben earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management in 2001. He earned an Associate’s degree in Business from East Central Community College in 1998.

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An active member of his communi ty, he serves as a coach and mentor for local youth sports teams. As an avid supporter for local youth sports and activities, he has served as a volun teer coach and team/field sponsor at Northside Park for soccer, baseball and softball. He has been a volunteer coach for Native American Youth Baseball and Softball teams. He also provides volunteer services and is an advocate for youth with special needs. Chief Ben is a supporter and advocate for the Diamond Dreams program and as part of his commit ment to disable youth, he ensured the Choctaw Sportsplex park area was completely ADA compliant, the only park of its kind in the State of Missis sippi. He was a volunteer coach for Warrior Youth Football its inception year. He and his wife served as youth leaders at First Pentecostal Church of Philadelphia for 10 years. Chief Ben was a National Board member for the

ALUMNI NEWS

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