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Hinds CC spring SOAR winner named, honors students recognized

by Karin Meadows

Raymond, MS (03/03/2026) — High-achieving Hinds Community College students were recently recognized at the Student Awards of Distinction ceremony.

Campbell McCoy of Vicksburg was named 2026 spring SOAR Award winner during the Feb. 19 ceremony. McCoy, one of six finalists for the award, was selected for the college's top student honor by the executive leadership team. She is pictured with Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik.

Nominees included one student from each of Hinds' six campuses. The nominees demonstrated excellence in all campus endeavors.

Finalists were, from left, Erion Wilson of Clinton, Cameron Davis of Vicksburg, Martha Ferguson of Kosciusko, Campbell McCoy of Vicksburg and Gracei Halterman of Vicksburg. Not pictured is finalist Kaylon Black of Jackson.

The Hinds Vice Presidents of Instruction for Academic and Career/Technical programs presented Outstanding Student Awards to those demonstrating excellence in a particular subject area or program of study. Students recognized included: Clarence Jackson of Jackson, Keyaria Watkins of Clinton, Conner Robinson of Pisgah, Rolen Fanning of Ridgeland and Mason Cooley of Flowood. Second row, from left, Madison Williams of Ovett, Tyrese Druel of Plaquemine, La., Antonio Johnson of Jackson, Kynleigh Doyle of Brandon, Avery Richardson of Brandon and Mackenzie Johnson of Crystal Springs. Back row, from left, Zakarri Jones of Jackson, Casey Small of Jackson, Abitat Afolabi of Nigeria, Chaez Moore of Vicksburg, N'Kyah Kendrick of Jackson and Abriel Lott of Jackson.

Hinds students who hold a 3.0 or greater cumulative grade point average and are also active on campus and in our local communities were nominated by a Hinds employee for the Who's Who award.

Students recognized included, front row, from left, Sanaa Pendleton of Edwards, Jakayla Brown of Utica, Gracei Halterman of Vicksburg, Jada Watson of Clinton, Madison Marin of Gulfport and Maegan McNealy of Madison. Second row, from left, Isabella Yates of Pearl, Cynthia Wheeldoon of Vicksburg, Aniyah Wilson of Clinton, Shakira Bell of Brandon, Rylee Wells of Pearl, Shania Gatlin of Jackson, Tristen Jennings of Pelahatchie. Third row, from left, Martha Ferguson of Kosciusko, Christopher "CJ" Davis Jr. of Brandon, David "Trip" Hancock of Brandon, Mackenzie Johnson of Crystal Springs, Macie Curtis of Raymond, Erion Wilson of Vicksburg, Harley Rubio of Brandon and Quinton Simpson of Clinton. Back row, from left, Abigail Mandario of Vicksburg, JC Strickland of Vicksburg, Campbell McCoy of Vicksburg, Samuel Stumph of Brandon, Coleman Stumph of Flowood, Conner Robinson of Pisgah, Cedar Underwood of Smithdale, Cameron Davis of Vicksburg and Teagan Stewart of Vicksburg.

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Hinds Community College student Campbell McCoy of Vicksburg was named the 2026 spring SOAR Award winner during the Feb. 19, 2026, Student Awards of Distinction ceremony on the Raymond Campus. McCoy, with Hinds President Stephen Vacik, was selected for the college's top honor by the executive leadership team from six finalists.

SOAR nominees demonstrated excellence in all campus endeavors. Finalists were, from left, Erion Wilson of Clinton, Cameron Davis of Vicksburg, Martha Ferguson of Kosciusko, Campbell McCoy of Vicksburg and Gracei Halterman of Vicksburg. Not pictured is finalist Kaylon Black of Jackson.

Hinds Vice Presidents of Instruction for Academic and Career/Technical programs presented Outstanding Student Awards to those demonstrating excellence in a particular subject area or program of study. Students recognized included: Clarence Jackson of Jackson, Keyaria Watkins of Clinton, Conner Robinson of Pisgah, Rolen Fanning of Ridgeland and Mason Cooley of Flowood. Second row, from left, Madison Williams of Ovett, Tyrese Druel of Plaquemine, La., Antonio Johnson of Jackson, Kynleigh Doyle of Brandon, Avery Richardson of Brandon and Mackenzie Johnson of Crystal Springs. Back row, from left, Zakarri Jones of Jackson, Casey Small of Jackson, Abitat Afolabi of Nigeria, Chaez Moore of Vicksburg, N'Kyah Kendrick of Jackson and Abriel Lott of Jackson.

Hinds students named to Who’s Who included, front row, from left, Sanaa Pendleton of Edwards, Jakayla Brown of Utica, Gracei Halterman of Vicksburg, Jada Watson of Clinton, Madison Marin of Gulfport and Maegan McNealy of Madison. Second row, from left, Isabella Yates of Pearl, Cynthia Wheeldoon of Vicksburg, Aniyah Wilson of Clinton, Shakira Bell of Brandon, Rylee Wells of Pearl, Shania Gatlin of Jackson, Tristen Jennings of Pelahatchie. Third row, from left, Martha Ferguson of Kosciusko, Christopher “CJ” Davis Jr. of Brandon, David “Trip” Hancock of Brandon, Mackenzie Johnson of Crystal Springs, Macie Curtis of Raymond, Erion Wilson of Vicksburg, Harley Rubio of Brandon and Quinton Simpson of Clinton. Back row, from left, Abigail Mandario of Vicksburg, JC Strickland of Vicksburg, Campbell McCoy of Vicksburg, Samuel Stumph of Brandon, Coleman Stumph of Flowood, Conner Robinson of Pisgah, Cedar Underwood of Smithdale, Cameron Davis of Vicksburg and Teagan Stewart of Vicksburg.


CR
Conner
Robinson
  • Brandon, MS
MC
Mason
Cooley
  • Brandon
JW
Jada
Watson
  • Clinton
SP
Sanaa
Pendleton
  • Edwards
CD
Cameron
Davis
  • Flora
MM
Madison
Marin
  • Gulfport
ZJ
Zakarri
Jones
  • Jackson
JB
Jakayla
Brown
  • Utica
CM
Chaez
Moore
  • Vicksburg
KD
Kynleigh
Doyle
  • Brandon
Aniyah Wilson’s headshot.
Aniyah
Wilson
  • Clinton
MJ
Mackenzie
Johnson
  • Crystal Springs
KB
Kaylon
Black
  • Jackson
MF
Martha
Ferguson
  • Kosciusko
MM
Maegan
McNealy
  • Madison
IY
Isabella
Yates
  • Pearl
RF
Rolen
Fanning
  • Ridgeland
CM
Campbell
McCoy
  • Vicksburg
EW
Erion
Wilson
  • Vicksburg
MW
Madison
Williams
  • Cosmetology
  • Ridgeland

Hinds Community College

Karin Meadows, 240-888-8359, karin.meadows@hindscc.edu

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