MSMS’s Zarandona named finalist for Teacher of the Year
COLUMBUS – Lauren Zarandona, a member of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science math faculty, was recently named a finalist for 2026 Mississippi Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Department of Education.
As the finalist for Congressional District 1, Zarandona competes with three other Mississippi teachers for the statewide honor.
“Learning is more than getting a correct answer or knowing the right information,” Zarandona said of her personal teaching philosophy. “Learning must lead to understanding for all students; teaching them how to think is far more important than teaching them what to think.”
The Mississippi Teacher of the Year program recognizes exemplary teachers in the state, a MDE press release said. The recipient will be asked to share expertise through various presentations, professional development and activities for the improvement of education. Additionally, the recipient will receive a $5,000 stipend and will represent Mississippi in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
The recipient will be announced during an 11 a.m. program April 17 at the Jackson Convention Complex.
MSMS German student earns national title, trip to Germany
COLUMBUS – Ashton Spence, a student at Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, has been awarded an all-expense-paid summer study trip to Germany after scoring in the 97th percentile on the Level 2 2026 National German Exam for High School Students.
Spence was one of more than 12,000 students who participated in the program. After qualifying with a high score on the National German Exam, he submitted responses to several short essay questions in German and in English and was then interviewed by a committee of high school teachers and college professors of German.
He is one of 36 German students selected from across the U.S. to receive the award. The study trip includes round-trip air transportation to Germany, a homestay with a host family and excursions to places of cultural and historical significance.
Spence is a student of MSMS German teacher Lori LeVar Pierce.
Craddieth named Youth of The Year for Mississippi
COLUMBUS – Adrianne Craddieth, a Columbus High School student, was recently named the Boys and Girls Club Mississippi Youth of the Year for 2026.
Craddieth, of the Columbus clubhouse, was named Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle during the club’s Blue Tie Gala in January before being honored with the statewide title earlier this month.
Craddieth will go on to compete in June for the title of Southeast Youth of the Year in Atlanta, Georgia.
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