Duvalier Malone
When Jackson resident Duvalier Malone was 16, he entered and won an essay contest at Jefferson County High School sponsored by the Southwest Mississippi ETA Leadership Institution. The prize was a trip to Washington, D.C.
Eduardo Cruz, Victor France and Tom Gavin
On Monday, April 29, the Mississippi Brilla announced they had added three members of the national-championship winning Belhaven Blazers soccer team.
Kathleen Varnell
The healing process from the 9-11 tragedy had just begun for ceramist Kathleen Varnell when the "Beltway Sniper" struck, killing 10 and injuring three others in suburban Washington, D.C.
Melinda Todd
Melinda Todd, coordinator for Crisis Prevention Resource Program at Jackson State University, is dedicated to combating suicide through education and mentorship.
Debra McGee
Debra McGee, senior vice president and director of minority business development at BankPlus, recently received the Small Business Association's Financial Services award as part of the 2013 Small Business Week.
Hill Harper
Hill Harper is a jack-of-all-trades. As an actor, he is best known for his role on "CSI: New York" as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes, but he is also an activist, author and philanthropist, as well has having a highly publicized friendship with Barack Obama. Harper is coming to speak at Jackson State University's graduation this weekend.
RIP, Orley Hood
I went up to the University of Mississippi Medical Center last week to visit my old pal, golf partner, fellow Braves and Saints lover, and much-admired writer, Orley Hood.
Candice Stocker
Candice Stocker is one of the organizers of Community Animal Rescue & Adoption Inc.'s upcoming Jail-n-Bail fundraiser event May 2. She also sits on CARA's board of directors.
Jobie L. Martin Classroom Building
A locally designed building on the campus of Hinds Community College has received a national award for excellence from the American Institute of Architecture.
Dr. Billy Kim
Belhaven University welcomes the addition of a campus international center named for the first Asian elected as president of the 40-million-member Baptist World Alliance: Dr. Billy Kim, a global spiritual leader, advocate for the poor, and humanitarian.
Maura Phillips
Maura Phillips is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and she works in the mortgage industry for a company called Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp.
Josh Lindsey
Josh Lindsey didn't know how long he would be a teacher after he moved to Hancock County in 2006.