The night finally came for Lincoln County seniors who committedthemselves to studying hard and working in a more vigorous courseload to be recognized for their merits at the Sixth Annual LincolnCounty Mississippi Scholars Banquet.

Monday evening at Easthaven Baptist Church proved to be anotherrecord-breaking night for the Mississippi Scholars program asnearly 150 students were distinguished as 2011 Mississippi ScholarGraduates and more than 100 scholarships were handed out.

“It’s quite an honor for each of them to be selected asMississippi Scholars,” said Brookhaven Academy Counselor DaisyArnold. “I think this is probably the highlight of their year;they’ll wear these medals at graduation.”

As trophies hung from the necks of well-deserving seniors, somestudents were fortunate enough to take home a little extra help forcollege.

In 2006, when the program first started to give awayscholarships, $4,000 was divided among recipients. As the programcaught on more and more, the scholarship pool became deeper anddeeper. At the banquet last year, $106,000 was handed out and thisyear $107,500 is scholarship money was awarded – the most in theprogram’s six-year history.

“I’m excited about college next year. Hopefully this will helpout a lot,” said Enterprise senior and scholarship recipient TateAllen. “When they called my name out, it made my night.”

While not all students were able to bring home some spare changefor their college piggy bank, the students said they did not regretparticipating in the program. By being named a Mississippi Scholar,seniors think they are ready for the next phase in their academiccareers.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” said Enterprise senior CourtneyWelch. “It’s going to prepare me a lot more for college.”

In fact, scholarships are just a bonus.

Mississippi Scholars Chairman Kenny Goza said that giving awaymoney is not the focus of the program. Instead, it is to betterprepare students for college and to provide that extra incentive toget more out of students.

“I guess we’re kind of getting the message out more,” said Goza,citing the growing number of volunteers and support the program hasbeen receiving through the years.

The evening, appropriately themed “Jump,” was about showingstudents that there will be obstacles at every phase of their life,but challenges can be overcome with hard work and perseverance.

Climbing hurdles was the key point in guest speaker MississippiTreasurer Tate Reeves’ message to students. The treasurer sharedwith students the difficulty in gaining support for his campaignfor elected office in 2003 in hopes of relating with thestudents.

“If you dare to dream big and if you’re willing to develop aplan and you’re willing to go out and work hard enough toaccomplish it, no matter what the nay-sayers say, you canaccomplish anything in life you set your mind to,” said Reeves.

To be named a Mississippi Scholar, students must maintain a 2.5GPA, take a more rigorous academic load filed of study andparticipate in community service. The program has been a model forsimilar programs in the state.

“It gives me great pride to hear people say that this particularprogram is the premiere program in the state and it’s right here inmy hometown, my backyard,” said Reeves, whose grandparents are fromBogue Chitto.

Along with their certificates and medals, Mississippi Scholargraduates will receive a little something extra to set them apartfrom the academic competition. Program graduates will get a littleharder look from colleges and university administrators on theircollege applications.

“When we see a student is a Mississippi Scholar from LincolnCounty, we know they work hard,” said Karinlee Brister, Universityof Mississippi regional admissions counselor. “It shows us thesestudents go the extra mile.”