Celebrating CFM’s 2026 Scholarship and Award Recipients
Every scholarship carries a story. It may honor someone whose life continues to inspire others, encourage students to enter a particular profession, strengthen a connection to a school or help make an educational goal more attainable.
In 2026, that promise is taking shape in the lives of 55 students selected for scholarships and awards held at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Their plans will take them to colleges and universities across Mississippi and beyond, with studies spanning agriculture, journalism, criminal justice, STEM, health care and many other fields.
We are grateful to the donors, families and partners who created and sustain these opportunities, and we are pleased to celebrate this year’s recipients.
Andy Taggart Award
- Allen Lampton
- Will McNeese
- Zackery Presnall
- Alexa Salazar
- David Woodson
Anthony “Tony” Gobar Juvenile Justice Scholarship
- Korielle Mcpherson, Jackson State University
Bettye Smith Brown Memorial Scholarship
- Akirah Watkins, University of Southern Mississippi
- Erion Wilson, University of Pennsylvania
Bill Hunsberger Scholarship Award
- Samantha Elizabeth Jordan, University of Southern Mississippi
Blake Coghlan Memorial Agriculture Scholarship
- Caroline Swafford, East Central Community College
Harrison Clark Scholarship Awards
- Isabella Ainsworth, Mississippi State University
- Ayden Green, Mississippi State University
- Clark Morrison, Mississippi State University
James & Madeleine McMullan Family Scholarship, Cohort 4
Pass Christian High School
- Aubry Curtis, University of Mississippi
- Korahlyn Duffy, University of South Alabama
- Braydin Furby, Mississippi State University
- Kalina Godlewski, Mississippi Christian University
- Cameron Jenkins, University of Alabama
- Larkin Lewis, Mississippi Valley State University
- Roderick “RJ” Lowell, Delta State University
- Georgia McWilliams, Mississippi State University
- Lauren Mong, Louisiana State University
- Ande Montiforte, Mississippi State University
- Allison Taylor, University of South Alabama
- Corinne Thompson, Pearl River Community College
- Colton Truong Nguyen, University of South Alabama
- Evyn Ulmer, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Addison Vincent, University of Mississippi
- Zaydee Wahl, Mississippi State University
Newton High School
- Z’Mya Arrington, Howard University
- Nigel Bender, Mississippi State University
- Angela Pham, University of Houston
- KaLeah Rhynes, University of Mississippi
- Zamiya Stinner, Mississippi State University
- Andrea Williams
Jerrelyn Redmond Jackson Veasley Lifetime Athletic and Scholastic Award
- Morgan Brown, Holmes Community College
John Robert Boswell Memorial Scholarship
- Macy Alexa Ruff, University of Mississippi
JXN Water Scholarship
- Jon Burse, Hinds Community College
- Gevin Dennis
- Londyn Kirkland, Jackson State University
- Taylor Moffett, Jackson State University
Leland R. Speed Scholarship for JROTC “Top Cadets”
- Le’Aja Bennett, Hinds Community College
- Savannah Blevins, Alcorn State University
- Daiseuna Buck, Grambling State University
- Jarius Green, Marion Military Institute
- Ke’Undra Jennings, Millsaps College
- Semija Jones, Jackson State University
- Ashanti Odom, Alcorn State University
Mae Meriwether Zifcak Girl Scout Scholarship
- Zamiya Bass, University of Mississippi
- Elizabeth Collins, University of Southern Mississippi
Rick Ross/Madison Avenue Upper Elementary Honorary Scholarship
- Robert Bailey, Jones College
- Mary “Maclane” Fairburn, Mississippi State University
Robert E. Luckett Memorial Scholarship
- Kendyn Harrison, Hinds Community College
- Reba K. Lee, University of Mississippi
Samuel “Eric” Storm Memorial Scholarship
- Ashlyn Chisolm, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Woodward Hines Education Foundation Calling Panther Award
- Destiny Brown, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson campus
- Timyra McNair, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson campus
- Brayden Murray, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson campus
- Timmy Thomas
- Taliyah Welch, University of Mississippi
Congratulations to each of these students as they take their next steps. We look forward to seeing where their education, talent and sense of purpose take them!
Learn more about scholarships and awards at the Community Foundation for Mississippi.