Tonja Robinson-Murphy
While legislators were debating charter schools and school budget cuts, the Jackson Public Schools' Parent of the Year was working with the schools and providing for the children.
Diane Ward
Diane Ward began writing in 2009, when she was just 15. Now, the home-schooled high-school senior from Brandon is an award-winning author.
Rick Cleveland
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum lost the only executive director in its history when Michael Rubenstein passed away in early December. Since the museum opened July 4, 1996, Rubenstein was the guiding hand and public face of the hall. Finding another person as passionate about Mississippi's sports history was the top priority in naming a new executive director.
Donna Barksdale
Donna Barksdale has been "everything from a Sweet Potato Queen to a clothing designer." These days, she puts her fashion expertise to work making sure that senior girls at Lanier High School have prom dresses.
Meredith McGee
When Darlene Collier's memoir landed on Meredith McGee's desk, McGee knew she needed more than just a typing service.
Thea Faulkner
In Jackson, people perceive public schools as having many problems and challenges, Thea Faulkner said, and rightly so. Sometimes, people focus so much on the negatives, however, that they don't notice the positive changes that many parents are making in their children's schools.
Mahmoud A. Manzoul
Mahmoud A. Manzoul always wanted to be a teacher. "When I came to the U.S., I went for my master's and Ph.D. so I could teach," he says.
Arielle Wallace
A Jackson high school student has received a national award for her artwork. Arielle Wallace's printmaking skills have earned her a gold medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
Michael Brown
Michael Brown is coming back from California. A Clinton native and former captain of the Stanford University soccer team, Brown has signed with Mississippi Brilla FC.
Michael Thomas
Giving minority-owned businesses contracts with large organizations helps the minority-owned businesses find more jobs and grow Jackson's business community, said Michael Thomas, vice president of finance and operations at Jackson State University.
Zach Bird
Murrah High School might not be known for its baseball program, but the Mustangs have a pitcher who is grabbing attention from media and scouts. Senior right-handed pitcher Zach Bird was named one of the top 20 players in Mississippi by ESPN. Perfectgame.org named Bird an Honorable Mention Underclassman High School All-American as a junior.
Rickey Thigpen
Rickey Thigpen has a few words of advice for Jackson's young people: It's better to be great than to be successful. "Set your goals and aspirations high," he says. "... I use the word 'success' tentatively, but I like the word 'great.'"
Charles Felton
In his first year looking into possible arsons at the Jackson Fire Department, Captain Charles Felton helped investigate more than 200 fires.
William VanDevender
Native Jacksonian William VanDevender grew up outdoors, hunting and fishing whenever he got the chance. But after graduating from the University of Virginia in 2008, he found a job that took him away from his first love.
Dr. Jasmin Chapman
Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center has served Mississippians since 1970, when it was established to help develop comprehensive health-care for poor and underserved communities in the Jackson area.