July 2, 2020--Durant, MS—Migration Heritage Foundation (MHF) awarded scholarships to three 2020 graduates of Holmes County Central High School (Lexington).  The awardees will be off to college this Fall.

The $1000 Reedy-Family Memorial Scholarship went to Tamia Anderson.  Ms. Anderson will attend Texas Southern University in the Fall and plans to major in Biology.  Ms. Anderson is the granddaughter of Janice Anderson Harper.  To qualify for the award, Tamia traced her roots back to her great-great-great maternal grandfather, who she reported was of Caucasian nationality. Descendants of lifelong Holmes County residents, the late John and Laurie Reedy, funded the scholarship in memory of the couple and two of their recently deceased sons, Alonzo Reedy and Henry Allen (H.A.) Reedy.

Sherita Tillman was the recipient of the $1000 William Jordan Campbell Memorial Scholarship.  She will attend Jackson State University and plans to major in Criminal Justice. Sherita is the daughter of Stacy Tillman and the granddaughter of Sandra and Jimmy Tillman.  Because her maternal ancestral roots had been traced back to a great-great-great-great grandfather who was of Native American origin, Ms. Tillman chose to write about how the accomplishments of two maternal family members inspired her throughout life.  The scholarship memorializes the late William Jordan Campbell, who was an Alcorn State University alum and a teacher at Mileston Vocational School near Tchula.  After marrying Hermie Triplett of Tchula, Mr. Campbell migrated to Illinois during the 1950s. The award was funded by one of his descendants.

Christian Davis received the $1000 Migration Heritage Foundation (MHF) Scholarship.  Ms. Davis will attend the University of Mississippi and major in Biology/Pre-Med. To receive the award, Christian traced her roots back to her great-great-grandmother, Holmes Countian Murphy Louis Gwin. Ms. Davis expressed how the knowledge her great-great grandmother’s involvement in the Holmes County Civil Rights Movement inspired her to succeed.  Donations from individuals who reside in and outside Holmes County funded the MHF Scholarship. Special appreciation goes to members of the Tchula Attendance Center (currently S.V. Marshall School) Class of 1962 whose individual and collective contributions made this award possible.

MHF continues to document the past and shape the future by helping to provide opportunities for Holmes Countians and others throughout the state and beyond. Congratulations to the three awardees and heartfelt appreciation to the many who  made these awards possible.  For more information, e-mail info@mhtr.us, or visit the foundation’s web site at www.mhtr.us.

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Holmes County Herald  (Thursday, July 2, 2020)