SHS history teacher nominated for national award
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Craig Wood, who teaches Advanced Placement world history at Starkville High School, has been nominated for the 2026 National History Day Teacher of the Year Award.
Each nominee for the National History Day Teacher of the Year Award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.
Wood is among 78 educators who are up for the award this year.
Two national winners will be selected by a committee and announced June 18.
MSMS seniors named US Presidential Scholars semifinalists
The Mississippi Department of Education announced last week that six Mississippi students have been named 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars semifinalists, including two students from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. The program honors the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
Jake Heisler and Mirae Nishikawa, both seniors at MSMS, are among the semifinalists, selected from a pool of thousands of candidates across the nation.
Local students among Belhaven graduates
JACKSON – Belhaven University celebrated graduates during its spring 2026 commencement ceremony.
Local students who graduated include Schuyler Byrd, Karen Dieckmann, Yolanda Sherman, Mia Cade and Cole Owens, all of Starkville, as well as Davin Goulde, Karen Solorio and Daniel Talley, all of Columbus.
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