A rose to Mississippi School for Math and Science, which this week announced its new executive director, a choice that represents a full circle for Donald Cook, a member of the inaugural MSMS graduating class of 1990. Cook will assume his duties on June 1, replacing Germain McConnell, who resigned in December after eight years as executive director at the state’s only public residential high school. With 25 years of experience in education at the high school, community college and college level, Cook has worked in a wide variety of roles. His familiarity with MSMS and his extensive background in education made him the ideal choice for the role that awaits him. We are confident Cook’s arrival will allow MSMS to remain a source of pride, not only for its host city, but for the entire state.
A rose to Columbus native and Army veteran Melvin Gatewood who has turned sacrifice into service though his nonprofit Operation Continued Service, which provides support for veterans through memorial rucks — walks with weighted backpacks — to honor those servicemen who have lost their lives or have been disabled and rally support for veterans of all ages and experiences. The graduate of West Lowndes County High School works as a certified peer support specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Nashville, Tennessee. On May 7, he plans to ruck from Starkville to Columbus to raise awareness of veteran suicide. His nonprofit is hosting a veterans resource fair afterward at the Lowndes County Soccer Complex. We salute Gatewood’s dedication to his fellow veterans through his nonprofit and his work with Veterans Affairs.
A rose to the Starkville Fire Department and Chief Charles Yarbrough for establishing a new Explorer Program for Oktibbeha County teens who plan to pursue careers as first responders. Under the program, Explorers will be able to learn the many skills it takes to become a firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic or law enforcement officer. The program is completely free to the participants, and they will also receive their own uniform to make them feel more at ease. In addition to training offered by the program, Yarbrough also sees this as a mentorship opportunity for youth in the community who may need extra support.
We commend Yarbrough and the SFD for this exciting new program.
A rose to Macon Jilkiah Bryant of Macon, who was awarded a Truman Scholarship this week. Bryant, a graduate of Mississippi School for Math and Science, is a junior at the University of Mississippi where she is pursuing a degree in public health and health sciences with minors in mathematics and African American studies. As a Truman Scholar, Bryant is now eligible for up to $30,000 for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling along with special internship and fellowship opportunities in the field of public service. We are confident this is not the last we will hear of her achievements as she continues her education. Congratulations on this elite honor!
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
