Adison Biffle is a graduate of Mooreville High School and plans to attend Itawamba Community College to study medical technology. Her goal is to become a medical laboratory scientist. She was on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll throughout high school and graduated with special distinction. She is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She excels in academics and sports – participating on the first-ever girls’ powerlifting team at Mooreville and on the softball team. She is also a founding member of the MHS volleyball team, a member of Student Council, Beta Club, Junior Civitan Club, and participates in and several other activities.

Madison Dillard is a graduate of Saltillo High School and plans to attend ICC and study radiologic technology. She plans to pursue a career in physical therapy. She has been tumbling since she was 5 and in competitive cheerleading since age 7. She injured her ankle, requiring several scans and physical therapy, which led her to choose physical therapy as a career. She is an Honors Graduate and has received several awards for cheerleading. She also received first place in Mississippi B.A.S.S. Nation and represented SHS at Nationals.

Jackson Feather is a graduate of Mooreville High School and plans to attend ICC. He plans to major in biology/pre-med, with the goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. Feather has worked at Chick-fil-A part-time, while being involved in several extracurricular activities. He has been the Varsity Singles Tennis Player since ninth grade, and was a member of the Student Council, Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is an active member of the youth group at First Baptist Church Saltillo.

Lana Kate Johnsey completed high school as a homeschooled student and plans to attend Auburn University to pursue a career in nursing. During high school, she was actively involved in track and field and cross country. She was chosen as team captain for both sports. She is a member of the Christian Home Educators of Northeast Mississippi Honor Society, through which she volunteers for her community and was elected secretary. She also worked for Relias Health Care since 2019.

Haley Jones is a graduate of Shannon High School and plans to attend Northeast Mississippi Community College to pursue a career in occupational therapy. She says she chose this path after seeing her grandparents each have shoulder surgery and complete rehabilitation. She has been heavily involved in colon cancer awareness and advocacy for several years. She was awarded the bronze medal for being a Top 3 Mississippi finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award in 2020 and received the President’s Volunteer Award in 2020.

Jonathan Morales is a graduate of Nettleton High School and plans to attend ICC and major in radiologic technology. He is pursuing a career in the medical field after being part of his grandmother’s care when he was a child. In high school, he received the Beta Club Award, was on the Honor Roll, was a member of Mu Alpha Theta and received the Agricultural Class Award. He also worked part-time at Kroger.

Morelia Morel Diaz is a graduate of Tupelo High School and plans to attend Fitchburg University or Salem State University to pursue becoming a family medicine physician and general surgeon. During high school, she was a member of Future Medical Professionals and Health Occupations Students of America, where she participated in a regional competition. She moved to the United States and learned to read and write in English in nine months, and then excelled in her academics.

Audrey Patterson is a graduate of Saltillo High School and plans to attend ICC and pursue a career as a registered nurse. In high school, she was a member of Future Health Professionals and was a health care and clinical services student. She recently completed the NMMC Mentorship Academy.

Maria Washington is a graduate of Shannon High School and plans to attend the University of Mississippi and pursue a career as a pharmacist or nurse. She volunteered at NMMC in Pediatrics, Human Resources and Employee Health. She holds two part-time jobs and is an active member of the Beta Club, Junior Civitan, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honors Society for High School Scholars. She received several academic and service awards.

Darrick Whitfield is a graduate of Tupelo Christian Preparatory School and plans to attend Sterling College to major in biology and pursue a career as an endocrinologist. In high school, he participated in several volunteer activities, as well as football, powerlifting and track and field. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, Beta Club, Health Occupations Students of America and others. He is an Honor Roll student and received several academic awards. As a teenager, he was diagnosed with diabetes. His experiences with diabetes led to him choosing endocrinology as a career.

Kayden Wylie is a graduate of Saltillo High School and plans to attend Mississippi State University to major in educational psychology. She decided to pursue a career in psychology after mentoring and volunteering with children with behavioral issues at a local primary school. While in high school, she was voted treasurer of the Anchor Club, selected to serve on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council and to compete in school math and science competitions.

The scholarships are awarded through the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi to graduating high school seniors pursuing a health care career. Applicants are judged based on ACT score, high school transcript, extracurricular activities, personal statements, interviews and letters of recommendation.

“We are proud of these students and thankful that we can support them in their dreams of working in the medical field,” said Steven Blaylock, HCF President. “We look forward to seeing them grow into the next generation of health care heroes.”

For more information on scholarships and other projects of HCF, visit www.nmhsfoundation.org.