Search Results

Benson Schexnaydre Olivia Vaughn Copiah-Lincoln Community College sophomores Benson Schexnaydre of McCall Creek and Olivia Vaughn of Union Church have each won a $4,000 scholarship awarded by the national mathematics honor society Mu Alpha Theta. Only three community college students in the nation were selected for the prestigious scholarship to be used at the university of their choosing. "Benson is a dedicated and hardworking pre-engineering/pre-med major. A passionate chess player, he brings the same strategic mindset and discipline to his academic pursuits and campus life," said Eddie Britt, Co-Lin Mu Alpha Theta chapter advisor and mathematics/computer science division chair. "Benson demonstrates a strong commitment to service through his involvement with Operation Christmas Child, campus trash pickups, and his overall dedication to the Co-Lin community. His academic excellence, leadership, and genuine care for others make him a standout representative of Mu Alpha Theta's values." During his time at Co-Lin, Schexnaydre has served as Treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta, Public Affairs Officer for Co-Lin C.A.R.E.S, was selected as Campus Favorite and to Who's Who at Co-Lin, and was recently inducted into the college's Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Science Club, Phi Theta Kappa, Future Business Leaders of America, Honors College, Baptist Student Union, Trailblazers, Chess Club, and Wolf Pack Strong. In addition, Schexnaydre is a six-time Mississippi Chess Champion and U.S. Chess Master. After Co-Lin, he plans to attend Mississippi State University to earn a degree in biomedical engineering and attend medical school with plans to become a physician. "As former President of Mu Alpha Theta, Olivia demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, academic excellence, and a passion for promoting mathematics and STEM among her peers," said Britt. "Her strong work ethic and commitment to excellence have distinguished her as an outstanding student and a role model within the Mu Alpha Theta community." Vaughn's commitment to serving as a student leader is evident in her role as President of Mu Alpha Theta, President of the Trailblazers, Vice President of the Student Government Association, and Treasurer of Co-Lin C.A.R.E.S. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Science Club, Wolf Pack Strong, Council of Presidents, Phi Theta Kappa, Honors College, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Blue Wave Show Band. She was selected as a Campus Favorite, to Who's Who at Co-Lin, and was recently inducted into the college's Hall of Fame. A mechanical engineering major, Vaughn plans to continue her education at Mississippi State University to earn her engineering degree with a minor in geosciences with a meteorology concentration.

By: Jessica Breazeale Walker's Painting: Not a monster, a man kneeling to pray. One year at Goat Camp, I learned a lesson in a way I will never forget. For those of you who don’t know, our family hosts a free kids camp twice a year—every October and April—with sports, activities, dinner, and guest speakers. It’s a fun way to share the gospel with kids and teens of all ages. This was one of our first GOAT Camps, and we had an activity where kids could paint on a canvas. The instructions were simple: When you think of heaven, what do you see? It was meant to let the kids show their creativity while also opening the door to talk about where they place their hope for the future. Now, any leader, mom, or parent can relate when I say I was extremely multitasking that day. In the middle of camp, I was running around making sure kids were in the right places, volunteers were where they needed to be, transitions were happening on time, kids were fed, drinks were filled, microphones were working, and spilled pizza was picked up. I was talking to a parent who called me over, checking on sign-ins—it was hectic. There was a lot going on. Because of that, I didn’t make it over to the activity section to watch my son Walker paint his masterpiece. Later that night, when we got home, we were unpacking the car—absolutely exhausted—eating leftover cold pizza. Walker showed me his painting. At first, I was dumbfounded. I said, “Walker, what is that? Why couldn’t you just pay attention to the instructions? What in the world makes you think there are monsters in heaven? It’s not like you don’t know—we talk about it all the time. There aren’t going to be monsters or any scary things in heaven. I just feel like you missed the mark and were playing instead of doing what your leader asked you to do.” I had already jumped to my conclusion. Then came the lesson I had to learn the hard way. He said, “Mom, what are you talking about? I DID follow the instructions. She said to paint what you see in heaven. This man is kneeling down, praying.” Oh my goodness—I felt about two inches tall. How could I not see what he saw? I had just been humbled by an eight-year-old who reminded me what it means to have the mind of a child. Because if I don’t, I’m going to miss some of the best things. Scripture comes to mind: be like little children (Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:15) … for they will inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14). If I’m constantly thinking adult thoughts, trying to make everything overly complicated, I’m going to miss out on some of the best blessings God wants to give me. What about you? Do you learn lessons the hard way? Do you think we could all stand to put on the mind of a child sometimes, so we can be more pleasant, more calm, more thoughtful, and more intentional? What’s the bigger picture? Don’t jump to conclusions. Give your kids the benefit of the doubt sometimes. Be like a little child. They have more fun anyway.

By Bob Garver Poster Credit IMDB The big problem with “Michael,” the new Michael Jackson biopic, is that it has the approval of the Jackson family. As such, we are going to get a very flattering portrait of possibly the single most controversial personality in the history of the music industry. The scandals that plagued his later years are an unignorable part of his legacy, no matter how much this movie tries to ignore them. Simply put: a movie with this much love for Michael Jackson, made by people who unconditionally love and want to protect Michael Jackson, is not going to be an interesting portrait of Michael Jackson. The film follows Michael from his youth until 1988 – basically the first 30 years of his life. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, young Michael (Juliano Valdi) was essentially robbed of his childhood by his father Joe (Colman Domingo), who demanded that his musician children pursue fame at the expense of their happiness, and some would argue, sanity. The real Jackson family – so protective of Michael’s image - apparently has no problem with Joe being portrayed as a monster. Valdi does an excellent job singing, dancing, emoting, and overall playing a young Michael. Maybe if the whole movie was built around Michael when he was this young, it wouldn’t need to bother giving us a shortchanged version of his adult years. Of course, Michael does grow up to be played by Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson and Michael’s real-life nephew. Well, you can’t say the resemblance isn’t there, even if Michael stopped resembling himself after a certain point. Seriously though, Jaafar is fine. He’s obviously putting every effort into what he surely knows is the role of a lifetime. Is he as talented a musician as his uncle? No, but then Michael wouldn’t be the one-of-a-kind performer he was if he could be easily emulated – even by members of his own family. The movie knows it can’t get a musical performance to match Michael’s stage presence, so it keeps the musical sequences… not exactly “to a minimum,” but they’re never as thorough as fans probably want them to be. I’ll put it this way: I never thought that Michael could take the pop world by storm based on the songs and dances we get in this movie. Nor do I see audiences demanding “cult” screenings of this movie that emphasize the music in the years to come. Come to think of it, the dull musical sequences are as big a problem with “Michael” as the toothless storytelling. I’m just less mad about them because I can see that people – namely Jaafar – are really trying. They just fall short because of their choppiness. But the musical numbers are the selling point of this movie, since I think audiences know in advance that the biography stuff is hardly hard-hitting. Maybe this movie should have taken the “jukebox musical” route of just being a glorified concert of epic performances to celebrate Michael’s style. Jaafar probably couldn’t have carried the whole thing himself, but taking on a few numbers could have lent authenticity to compliment a necessary cast of career professionals. But no, “Michael” had to take the dialogue-heavy biopic route and it falls flat on its face. Not only does the movie cut out Michael’s crazy, scandalous later years, but it doesn’t handle the years we do see particularly well. Surely Michael had more going on than just being a man-child who liked toys and animals and whose worst deed was failing to stand up to his tyrannical father. I’d have a hard time believing that anybody is this wholesome, let alone the obviously-disturbed Michael Jackson. This movie would have you believe that Michael lived like an angel to match having the voice of one. It’s bad, but ironically not the cool Michael Jackson brand of “Bad.” Grade: C- “Michael” is rated PG-13 for some thematic material, language, and smoking. Its running time is 127 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its signature Empty the Shelters® event with a nationwide reduced-fee adoption effort from May 1–17, 2026. The Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (BARL) is proud to participate in this nationwide event, joining more than 335 shelters across 39 states to help pets find loving homes. During the event, BISSELL Pet Foundation will sponsor reduced adoption fees of $70 or less for cats and dogs, making it more affordable to welcome a new pet into the family. All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. BARL will participate May 1–17, offering $35 adoption fees for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. (Few animals will be excluded.) This will include spay/neuter, vaccinations and a microchip. Visit barl.net/adopt to see some of the animals. BARL’s Adoption Center is open Thursday - Saturday, 12:00-5:00 pm, and Sunday 12:00-3:00 pm. Petsense will have some BARL cats available for adoption. “Ten years ago, Empty the Shelters® began with a simple goal—to bring awareness to the incredible cats and dogs in shelters,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Today, it has grown into a national effort that has helped nearly 400,000 pets find families. Those adoptions have opened space for other pets to enter shelters, provided relief for shelter teams, and created the heartwarming joy that only adoption can bring. This impact has all been possible thanks to the commitment of shelters, adopters, donors and supporters across the country. As we celebrate 10 years, we encourage everyone to consider adoption and help more pets find the homes they deserve. It’s never too late to make a difference.” Empty the Shelters is the nation’s largest funded adoption event and has helped nearly 400,000 pets find homes across the U.S. and Canada since its inception in 2016. Sponsored by BISSELL Pet Foundation, the program works with hundreds of animal welfare organizations to reduce adoption fees and make pet adoption accessible to more families. All pets available through participating shelters are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Each shelter determines its own adoption process—prospective adopters are encouraged to contact shelters directly for details.

Special to Wesson News Co-Lin’s men’s and women’s basketball seasons ended in the Region 23 tournaments last month. Pearl River knocked off the men in the first round in a decisive 80-56 victory, while the Lady Wolves made it to the quarterfinals before falling to Itawamba 71-44. The men finished their season with 14-14 record, 7-7 in conference play and the women were 15-12, 6-8 in the conference. Road games were the undoing of the men during the season. At home, they posted a 10-4 record, but could only win three of 12 games when they were the visitors. The women meanwhile had a 6-5 home record and were 7-7 on the road. During their season, the split wins and losses with Gadsden State, Shelton State, Bevill State, Delgado and East Central. They also beat William Carey JV, Baton Rouge, Florida Coastal Prep, Mississippi Delta, East Mississippi, Holmes, Coahoma, Meridian and Southwest, while losing to Southern University-Shreveport, Itawamba, Northeast, Jones, Northwest, Hinds and Gulf Coast. Pearl River upended them twice. While beating LSU Eunice twice, the lady wolves also lost to them once and split wins and losses with Holmes and East Central. They beat Phillips Community College and South Arkansas twice, posted single victories against Southern University-Shreveport, Mississippi Delta, East Mississippi, Northeast, Coahoma, Southwest and Hinds, lost to Baton Rouge and Itawamba twice and to Pearl River, Meridian, Jones, Northwest and Gulf Coast. In their quarterfinal tournament loss, Itawamba dominated the lady wolves, outscoring them in the first quarter (20-8), second quarter (19-14), third quarter (17-13) and fourth quarter (15-9). In her final game in a Lady Wolves uniform, Kamaiyah Pruitt (Pass Christian) led the way with a double-double performance of 24 points and 10 rebounds with the points leading all scorers while the rebounds were tied for the game lead. In their first round tournament loss, the men led early 14-9 against Pearl River, but 8-2, 10-8, , 13-7, 12-5 and 17-9 scoring runs by the Wildcats sealed Co-Lin’s fate. LeBron Deal led the Wolves offensively with 17 points along with two rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Dylan Creggett had 11 points with one assist and three steals. Moustapha Salekh (Ngekoh, Senegal) narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds while Tyrell Bowles (Springdale, MD) also flirted with a double-double with seven points and seven rebounds. Morris Hammond (Ridgeland) had six points, Tristian Lucas (Pearl) had five points, and Caleb Crozier (Yazoo City) had two points to round out the scoring for the Wolves.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com If we are talking about your teeth, yep, that’s true. Just totally ignore them, and you have a pretty quick way to rid yourself of a tiresome repetitive responsibility. “She don’t care about us, and always wishin’ that we weren’t so needy all the time? Oh, yeah, we’re outta here! We may leave one by one, but we’re all leavin,’ sooner or later.” But emotional trauma? No way. There are way too many families that seem to believe that if they ignore the painful “it,” the trauma will go away. But usually the opposite happens. Granted, conversation about “it” may stop, but “it” is still there. It simply goes underground, like ugly unwanted plants that over a period of time begin putting out tiny roots. Roots that sooner or later, will grow and likely produce offspring that can make the original “it” seem like a walk in springtime. When an unfortunate incident happens, too often the ones who are most affected refuse to ever consider talking about it. Because talking means reliving that painful memory, and that is the last thing they want to do. Hoping it will just disappear from their lives, they try to just turn their back and walk away. Mentally and emotionally. But emotional trauma and pain that are left to go underground have a way of reappearing later in life. Often reappearing in the form of rebellion, misunderstood anger, isolation from loved ones, crime, or questionable sexual behavior. Like I said, a walk in the springtime a few years before. Unaddressed trauma changes lives, period. And never for the better. And I am not speaking of just the person who experienced the original pain. Here’s why. Every life touches other lives. And if a life has been lived saturated in emotional pain, then that person can’t help but have their relationships affected by their trauma. And this is especially true for the parent-child relationship. Emotional input into the life of a child creates a permanent impression on that child’s life. And if that input is stained by second-hand trauma that has never been resolved, then the effect is very real and very unfortunate. And if that child’s trauma stays unresolved, then it can easily be passed down to the next generation. In an ongoing generational chain of pain. Until someone has the guts to decide that “It” stops with me, and seeks the help that the family has been needing for so long. Then the chain of pain can be broken. Have the courage to speak up and stop the hurt. Like my husband says, “It’s bad enough to fall headfirst into a mudhole, but it’s a whole lot worse to just lay there.”

When it comes to safeguarding your home, choosing the right roofing company is critical. A great roofing contractor does more than simply fix roofs—they ensure your home's structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, providing peace of mind for years to come. Here are the essential qualities every reliable roofing company should have. 1. Licensed, Insured, and Certified One of the most important aspects of a roofing contractor is proper licensing and insurance coverage. Always ensure the company you're considering has the necessary certifications to perform roofing work in your area. This not only ensures compliance with local laws but also protects you from potential liabilities during the project. 2. Proven Experience and Expertise Reliable contractors bring years of experience and skill to the table. They can handle various roofing styles, materials, and challenges, ensuring quality craftsmanship in every project. For instance, a team with exceptional repair skills can protect your home from leaks, while seasoned installers can deliver roofs that last for decades. 3. High-Quality Materials The best roofing companies use top-tier materials to ensure durability and performance. Look for contractors who partner with trusted brands for asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or composite materials. Using high-quality supplies can enhance both the functionality and appearance of your home. 4. Honest Estimates and Transparent Pricing A trustworthy company provides a clear estimate for all their services. Transparency in pricing means you won't be caught off guard by hidden fees or unnecessary upsells. It’s an essential practice that separates reliable contractors from the rest. 5. Comprehensive Roofing and Exterior Services A great roofing company doesn’t stop at shingles—they also offer other essential exterior services such as gutter and siding installations. Saratoga Roofing Co. is a top contender for those needing a contractor offering comprehensive services. Their team specializes in everything from roof installations to siding repairs, ensuring your entire home’s exterior is covered. 6. Customer Satisfaction Customer satisfaction speaks volumes about a company’s reliability. Reliable contractors build their reputation on positive client feedback and repeat business. Explore reviews, testimonials, and even case studies to assess a company’s level of dedication. 7. Warranties and After-Service Support Having a warranty on labor and materials guarantees that the roofing work will stand the test of time. Additionally, companies offering post-project support demonstrate confidence in their work and a commitment to customer satisfaction. 8. Expert Siding Services Reliable roofing companies often extend their expertise to other areas, such as siding repair and installation. Saratoga Roofing Co., for instance, is not only a trusted Roofing Contractor but also excels as a Siding Contractor. They provide premium siding solutions, tailored to meet your home’s aesthetic and functional needs. Why Saratoga Roofing Co. is Worth Considering While there are many reliable roofing companies out there, Saratoga Roofing Co. stands out for their commitment to quality, transparency, and variety of services. Their work has made them a trusted name in Saratoga Springs and surrounding areas. Whether you're looking for a new roof, gutter repairs, or help with siding, their team combines expertise with premium materials to deliver exceptional results. For homeowners ready to invest in their property’s longevity and appearance, choosing the right roofing contractor is crucial.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Chamber of Commerce honored the town’s movers and shakers—individuals and organizations that lead the community—on Thursday, April 23. The Chamber’s annual awards banquet at the Thames Center on the Co-Lin campus spotlighted the Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Not-for-profit Organization of the Year, Police Officer and Firefighter of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Educators of the Year (at Co-Lin and Wesson Attendance Center). Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson served as the headline speaker at the event, and Wesson Mayor Alton Shaw presented his State of the Town address. The Chamber also recognized companies that trailblazed the local economy over the past 12 months, including Grace Foam Solutions, an expanding business; Steel Outdoors, a business in transition with a new chief executive; two other metal fabricators within a five-mile radius of town; and Destiny Delights, a home-based business that moved into a permanent commercial location. The cost of the banquet was $60 per person or $300 to sponsor a table. Along with the Chamber, event sponsors included Copiah Bank, Trustmark Bank, and Taylor’s Legacy & Air Conditioning. The event began at 5 p.m. The banquet menu featured a Caesar salad, Southwest chicken, pretzel-crusted pork, vegetables, and crème brûlée prepared by Chef Chris McSwey.

By: Jessica Breazeale Have you ever wanted to give someone an invaluable gift—one that goes far beyond ANYTHING you could EVER wrap up? I’m talking about the kind of gift that helps you all the days of your life. Let me explain… Have you ever given someone a priceless gift… and they didn’t want it? Yeah. That happened to me last week. I love going for walks in the spring and fall when the weather is juuuuust right. Spring is my favorite—the smell of honeysuckle, the sound of birds chirping, that dramatic little temperature shift when you move from sunlight into shade. I love my walking paths! But…my son is a teenager—his moods are all over the place, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. So I thought, I’m going to give him this gift. This beautiful, life-giving gift: finding peace in chaos through walking. Walking is my happy place. My peaceful place. It’s where I find clarity. It’s where I spend time with God—my perfect Dad. It’s where I think about the world, pray about big things, try to solve world hunger, and get a little exercise in. Not that I lose any weight… because let’s be honest, I probably ate terribly all day—but still, I love it. So one day, in the middle of one of his classic teenage fits of rage—you know, that good old teenage angst we all “love” (and yes, sarcasm—no one loves it)—I calmly said, “Come on, you’re going walking with me.” He fought me tooth and nail. “No, I’m not going.” “Yes, you are.” “No, I’m not.” “Yes. You. Are.” “You don’t get a say in this—you’re walking with me. I’ve got a present for you along the way.” He’s intrigued by the mysterious gift not realizing the prize can’t be wrapped. In my head, I knew this would work. All he needed was some time—just some grass under his feet, hearing the birds, smelling the honeysuckle. I thought he’d be a changed man… or at least a changed young man. So, how do you think the story ends? Yeah. Not like that. He complained the entire time. Didn’t enjoy a second. And honestly, he made my walk miserable too. It wasn’t peaceful; it was just more chaos. And I found myself wishing I hadn’t invited him into my happy place. Lesson learned. Check. ☑️ But here’s the funny part—while I thought I was teaching him something, he was actually taught ME. I thought I was showing him how to find peace, the way I find it. But what he taught me was this: 1. You can’t make people find peace if they don’t want to. 2. You can’t expect everyone else’s place of peace to be your place of peace. 3. No matter how much you want peace for someone else. They have to want it. Let’s be honest, your peaceful place might just not be their thing…or their place. His happy place? Probably a baseball field. Or fishing. Or riding a four-wheeler. For some, it’s reading a good book. For others, it’s gardening—planting flowers, growing vegetables. Whatever it is, your happy place—your peace—is yours. It’s unique to you. So, the teacher became the student. And I’m okay with that… because I want to be a lifelong learner. I never want to be the person who thinks they know it all. There’s always something to learn—even from my teenager, who I love more than sliced bread with Mississippi State apple butter on it. What’s the Bigger Picture Here? #1 - Sometimes the teacher will be the student. #2 – Don’t force peace. Can’t be done. Just introduce it. #3 - Keep calm and carry on. Downloadable version:

Co-Lin's 2025-2026 Hall of Fame inductees included from left, Ellie Barrentine of Crystal Springs, Conner Cunningham of Brookhaven, Chrishuna Funches of Silver Creek, Dracy McNair of Meadville, Benson Schexnaydre of McCall Creek, and Olivia Vaughn of Union Church. Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Wesson Campus inducted six outstanding students to the college's Hall of Fame at their annual awards day program. The Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award given to a student and is voted on by students, faculty, and staff members. Only college sophomores are eligible for the honor and basis for selection includes fineness of character, superior scholarship, worthy leadership, and contribution to the betterment of Copiah-Lincoln. Inductees included Ellie Barrentine of Crystal Springs, Conner Cunningham of Brookhaven, Chrishuna Funches of Silver Creek, Dracy McNair of Meadville, Benson Schexnaydre of McCall Creek, and Olivia Vaughn of Union Church. Barrentine is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta. She is a Co-Lin Presidential Scholarship recipient and was selected to Who's Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. She is an active member of the Alpha Omega Science Club, the Trailblazers, and the Baptist Student Union. Barrentine also serves as Captain of the Co-Lin Cheerleading squad. After Co-Lin, she plans to continue her education at The University of Southern Mississippi to earn a degree in biology. She is the daughter of Chris and Rebecca Barrentine of Crystal Springs. Cunningham is a Co-Lin Presidential Scholarship recipient and was selected to Who's Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He serves as President of the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and Vice President of the Trailblazers. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Science Club, Honors College, Future Business Leaders of America, Mu Alpha Theta, Council of Presidents, and is active in the Baptist Student Union. After Co-Lin, Cunningham will continue his education at Mississippi State University, where he has received the prestigious MSU Presidential Partnership Scholarship, to earn a degree in mechanical engineering. He is the son of Tim and Sandy Cunningham of Brookhaven. Funches is a member of the Trailblazers, Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Omega Science Club, and Mu Alpha Theta. She was selected to Who's Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and is a Co-Lin Foundation scholarship recipient. Funches has served as an officer for Sigma Kappa Delta and the Student Government Association. She is currently a second-year student in the Associate Degree Nursing program where she serves as Vice President of the Co-Lin Student Nurses' Organization. She is the daughter of Christopher and Tashun Funches of Silver Creek. McNair was selected to Who's Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He is a member of the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the Alpha Omega Science Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Chess Club. McNair is a member of the Blue Wave Show Band percussion section. He earned a place on the President's List with a 4.0 GPA. After Co-Lin, he plans to continue his education to pursue a career in radiology. He is the son of Linda Thompson and Shelby McNair of Meadville. Schexnaydre serves as Treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta, Public Affairs Officer for Co-Lin C.A.R.E.S and was selected to Who's Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He is an active member of the Alpha Omega Science Club, Phi Theta Kappa, Future Business Leaders of America, Honors College, Baptist Student Union, Trailblazers, Chess Club, and Wolf Pack Strong. He was elected by his peers as a Campus Favorite. In addition, Schexnaydre is a six-time Mississippi Chess Champion and U.S. Chess Master. After Co-Lin, he plans to attend Mississippi State University to earn a degree in biomedical engineering and attend medical school with plans to become a physician. He is the son of Randy and Sonya Schexnaydre of McCall Creek. Vaughn serves as President of Mu Alpha Theta, President of the Trailblazers, Vice President of the Student Government Association, and Treasurer of Co-Lin C.A.R.E.S. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Science Club, Wolf Pack Strong, Council of Presidents, Phi Theta Kappa, Honors College, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Blue Wave Show Band. She was selected as a Campus Favorite and to Who's Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. A mechanical engineering major, Vaughn plans to continue her education at Mississippi State University to earn her engineering degree with a minor in geosciences with a meteorology concentration. She is the daughter of Xavier and Sherree Vaughn of Union Church.

Special to Wesson News . Wesson American Legion Auxiliary (WALA) Unit #79 is hosting a unique tablescaping competition along with a fundraising silent auction as part of the town’s annual Founder’s Day celebration on May 2. The “Heart of the Table” event and auction will be at the historic Old School Community Center at 1047 Eighth Street, with the entry deadline April 22, and late entries accepted no later than April 29 if space allows. Guests can visit the exhibit of competing tablescapes for $1.00 and vote for a People’s Choice Award. WALA is inviting individuals, organizations, businesses and community groups to participate in the unique competition, which will have three divisions: • America the Beautiful • Open formal • Holidays “The Heart of the Table” celebrates creativity, hospitality and service, and participants are encouraged to design with intention, welcome guests warmly and help create an inspiring experience that supports veterans, military families and community. Regular competition entry fees for each division are $60, with late fees, $75 per division. Multiple fees must be paid for entries in more than one division. A tablescape is the complete arrangement of items on a table, including place settings, centerpieces, linens, florals, candles (battery-operated preferred) and miniature props composed to convey a mood, theme or meal. All the items used -- decorative accents, materials and other elements -- help bring the table to life. Think of it as a mini set: every object should support the story the designer wants the judges (and viewers) to read. WALA’s competition will feature 60-inch round tables to which designers must confine their creations. The designer-competition entrants must include a title card with their table themes and proposed menus. Their tables must be set for at least four places with the appropriate serving ware for at least one of the meal’s courses. Competitors may incorporate items intended for the silent auction into their tablescapes with prior approval and providing a bid sheet that will be clearly visible for the auction. Approved competitors based on their registrations prior to the event deadline will receive designated setup time prior to the event opening when judges begin evaluating tables. All tables must be completed by the deadline. Themes must be in harmony with the Founder’s Day event. Judges will select winning tablescapes based on creativity and originality, overall presentation, theme and storytelling, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Cash prizes still to be determined will be presented for first, second and third places selected by judges, and a cash People’s Choice Award decided by guest voting will also be awarded.

By: Misty Strieff Prine “My story is filled with bad choices, broken pieces and a lot of hurt. It’s also filled with a major comeback, freedom in my life, peace in my soul and a Savior that restored everything.” – Unknown For those who follow my page, The Upward Way on Facebook and Instagram, I wrote this several nights ago. The Lord laid this on my heart so deeply that I wanted to share with this audience as well. I know many of you don’t do social media so I wanted to make sure it got out to as many as I could get it out to because I feel like God has a purpose behind laying it on my heart so deeply. If this isn’t the blueprint of a sinner’s testimony in a bubble, I don’t know what it is. Oh, the “happenings” that “happened” just between those pieces of times in my life when Jesus scooped up a broken me, saved me, changed me COMPLETELY into someone I would never dream I’d become but, let me tell you, I’m so proud of HER. Because the old her was weak, a nobody and wandered…aimlessly for so long until God got ahold of my heart and life. You see, God saw a purpose where she saw nothing but failure because that’s what those around her made her feel like she was. (Except for her AMAZING family who always kept her rooted in her faith, praise God!) Let me stop right here. Be SO thankful if you have THAT kind of support system who loves Jesus that constantly tells you to not give up, keep going and that the enemy is attacking you because you are doing God’s work. Surround yourself with more of THOSE people and LESS of the others. Trust me, it MATTERS!! Any who, morale of the story is, we were all given a comeback story. It is nothing to be ashamed of. If someone tries to make you feel guilty or bring it up in a negative way, see it for what it is and say, “Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus. He made a way where there was NO way…now look at me now.” Your testimony is yours. OWN IT.