Wesson Chamber of Commerce honored four organizations and two individuals around town and contributors to its activities in its 2024 awards ceremony last month.
Taylor’s Legacy LLC, the Wesson Cobra Parent Teacher Organization, Wesson Garden Club and Hometown Family Dental received the Chamber’s Business of the Year, Organization of the Year, Positive Social Media Presence Award and Best New Business Award. Daniel Hux and Jordan Stephens received the Wesson Attendance Center and Co-Lin Educator of the Year Awards. The Chamber also recognized the special contributions of 2023 Founders Day Queen Mackenzie Martin and outgoing board members Stephen Ashley and Deemie Letchworth.
Guest speaker Dr. Dewayne Middleton, president of Co-Lin, talked about the college at the event held in Rae Auditorium in the school’s Administration Building, and expressed appreciation of “the partnership the college has with the Town of Wesson and Chamber.”
In his comments, Middleton noted Co-Lin’s varied athletic and academic achievements -- the NJCAA softball regional and national championships, the football Mississippi Association of Community College Conference South Division championship and the Heart of Texas bowl victory, the college’s ranking as number one in student success by the Mississippi Community College Board and Education Achievement Council and standing as one of the top 150 community colleges nationally among 1,000 considered in the Aspen Institute Community College Excellence program. In describing his vision of a student-oriented college, he cited improvements to its physical plant, including completed upgrades of softball facilities and plans for a new gymnasium and residence hall.
At the event, Chamber members also spoke about the background and accomplishments of those receiving awards:
The journey of Taylor’s Legacy, Business of the Year, started in 2021 when beloved Charles Taylor lost his battle with cancer and his loyal HVAC customers were left in the hands of his grandson, Braden Taylor. Braden, with the help of his father and uncle, who are both licensed and certified in HVAC, have sought to uphold level of quality and affordable service maintained by Charles. This company is truly a locally owned, family-operated small business which strives for excellence with integrity and takes pride in its work and life in the community.
Organization of the Year Wesson Cobra Parent Teacher Organization is a nonprofit organization was founded more than 18 years ago to promote,
encourage, and build community among the Wesson Attendance Center community by connecting families to school and community resources that improve student achievement. This group strives to promote the well-being of the students, staff and parents through the power of positive influence to ensure that every day every student feels safe, encouraged, and challenged. The PTO offers support to WAC by volunteering assistance, planning and organizing events, fundraising to provide financial assistance and services and to promote and celebrate student achievement. Its current Board includes President Nekitha Jackson, Vice President Leanne Duet, Secretary Kayla Ryan, Treasurer Shannon Westmoreland, Media Representative Semone Curole, Faculty Representative Ginger Heard, and Teacher Representatives Brittney Warren and Tiffany Brooks.
The Wesson Garden Club, founded in 1934 by Decima Rea, a member of the Rea family for which the Rea auditorium is named, The Positive Media Award recipient was federated in 1936, and is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., and the Natchez Trace District. It has 31 members who work for the advancement of gardening, the development of home grounds, the furthering of city beautification and the protection of native shrubs, plants and birds. It facilitates a youth garden club, the Butterbeans, to provide nature education to third through sixth graders with after-school programs during the school year and an annual summer day camp. Jennifer Peets is Chairman of social media for the Wesson Garden Club as well as The Garden Clubs of Mississippi. She has been a member for eight years.
Hometown Family Dental, Best New Business, is owned and operated by Dr. Marissa Smith. She and her team enjoy educating patients about the importance of oral health and are passionate about listening to patients and working with them to create a treatment plan that meets their goals. Dr. Smith and her team strive to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for her patients. Dr. Smith graduated from Wesson Attendance Center in 2013. She attended Co-Lin, where she received her Associates degree before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science and attending the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry in Jackson, Mississippi, where she graduated in 2022. She is a Mississippi Rural Dental Scholar and William Winter Scholar. She received the Community Preventative Dentistry Award and the Dentist Entrepreneur Award during her senior year in dental school. Dr. Smith lives here in Wesson with her Husband, Maverick. They had their first child , Sophie, on January 11.
Wesson Attendance Center Educator of the Year Daniel Hux grew up in a family of educators. His parents, both teachers, are Jimmy and Barbara Hux. They taught and raised their family in Bogue Chitto, where Hux graduated Valedictorian from Bogue Chitto High School in 1996. He continued his education at Co-Lin and then Mississippi College where he completed his bachelor’s degree in history, with Magna Cum Laude status. He continued his education earning a Master of Arts Degree, also at MC, with the honor of Summa Cum Laude. Hux taught at WAC for 22 years. His family includes wife, Stephanie, and children, Logan (graduate of WAC) and daughter, Laney, a student at WAC. The family attends Moak’s Creek Baptist church where Hux is a Deacon. If he is not at school, Hux enjoys his family time and hunting and fishing.
Former WAC colleague Rod Martin says “Daniel Hux is an exemplary person overall and the gold standard for what teachers should be. In addition to being patient, kind, and encouraging to his students, he has a deep understanding of his content area. He passes this along to his students. Hux is exceedingly deserving of the award in recognition of his outstanding service to the students and community of Wesson.” Wesson High School Principal Dr. Barbie Roberson says “Hux plays a vital role in our A rating, but most importantly he plays a vital role in the lives of children.”
Co-Lin Educator of the Year Award Jordan Stephens is a proud alumna of the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees that laid the foundation for an impactful career in education. In 2016, Jordan became an integral part of the Wolf Pack family, bringing a genuine commitment to student success. Initially joining as an Academic Counselor and Disabilities Support Services Coordinator, Jordan quickly expanded her roles within Co-Lin. She has served the college in the capacity of dual enrollment coordinator and as an advisor for Phi Theta Kappa, which showcases her involvement in fostering academic excellence.
Jordan’s multifaceted contributions have also extended into the realm of mental health and well-being. As the college’s mental health liaison, Jordan is passionate about creating a supportive environment for students, recognizing the importance of holistic development in their educational journey. Currently serving as the Director of Enrollment Services, Jordan continues to shape the student experience at the institution. In the role of advisor for Trailblazers, Jordan takes on the responsibility of guiding students as they navigate their educational paths, encouraging them to explore new horizons and carve out their own academic trails. Jordan is a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She lives in Crystal Springs with her husband, Brad, and daughter, Emily Catherine.