Junior Auxiliary of Columbus is proud to offer scholarship opportunities to Lowndes County graduating high school seniors who will attend a college or university following graduation. Each year, JA of Columbus awards nearly $30,000 in scholarships to new recipients and those continuing to receive stipends through their four years of college.

In awarding its scholarships, auxiliary members will consider the applicant’s scholastic excellence, participation in school and community activities, the applicant’s work with children, and his or her need for financial assistance. Scholarship opportunities include several one-time scholarships to be determined upon a review of the applications we receive.

In addition, JA will award two special scholarships in memory of members whose lives were dedicated to the service of others. These two scholarships, the Terry Brewer Spirit Scholarship and the Miss Eleanor Slaughter Excellence Scholarship, each consist of awards of $1,000 per semester for four years for a total of $8,000 per scholarship.

For information and to apply online for scholarships, visit www.jacolumbus.org/application.

Applications are due by Feb. 18.

Coding Academies opens hub at EMCC’s Communiversity

MAYHEW — Mississippi Coding Academies is providing tuition-free classes to students at The Communiversity at East Mississippi Community College.

Upon completion of the 11-month program, students are certified as full-stack junior coders with skills needed to manage websites on both the front end — comprised of those areas users see and interact with — and the back end, which is the underlying digital structure that keeps websites operating smoothly and efficiently.

EMCC offers associate degrees in computer networking, computer programming, cybersecurity and database administration. Students enrolled in technical education programs at EMCC can also transfer credits earned toward a bachelor of applied science at Mississippi State University.

Mississippi Coding Academies is a nonprofit 501(c)3 agency funded through private donations. The agency has maintained a presence in the Golden Triangle area since its inception.

In addition to coding, the students are also taught soft skills, such as developing good work habits and being a team player. The employment rate for the program’s graduates is 90 percent, with about a third to half of each graduating class landing jobs as coders and developers, with the remainder hired in IT support roles, such as working on a help desk.

For information about Mississippi Coding Academies, visit the website https://bit.ly/35o4agC