Laurel High announces Class of 2020 Top 10

Valedictorian Kimberlynn Mai in cap and gown

Valedictorian Kimberlynn MaiValedictorian Kimberlynn Mai, the daughter of Tri Tran and Diep Mai, plans to attend the University of Houston where she will major in biology, with plans to attend pharmacy school. While at Laurel High School, she served as student representative for the Student Council, Beta Club secretary and president of Key Club. She was also an active member of Interact, Future Leaders of Jones County and Future Business Leaders of America. For her academic excellence, she was named Sertoma Student of the Month and won the local, regional and state science fairs. In 2019, she was an International Science and Engineering finalist. Additionally, she received a scholarship from Magnolia Girls State, and was one of two students selected to participate in Healthy Teens for a Better Mississippi, a program created by former Governor Phil Bryant. Active in the community, she served as a volunteer for the Animal Rescue League, created care packages for local nursing and cancer centers, and the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, participated in annual Pancake Day, and made contributions to Hellfighters and the Glory House.


Salutatorian Nicole SantiagoSalutatorian Nicole Santiago, the daughter or Rene Santiago and Natalie Cerecdo, plans to attend school to become a certified pharmacy technician. She also plans to serve in full-time Bible educational service work, such as construction projects, missionary work, or Bethel, a volunteer service facility dedicated to the preaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses. While at Laurel High School, she was named a Superintendent’s List Scholar and Mississippi Scholar for her dedication to academics and citizenship. She was also an Advanced Placement and dual credit student, receiving both high school and college credits. She completed the Laurel High School Career and Technical Center’s Construction/Carpentry program. Active in the community, she is dedicated to ministry service, assisting others in learning about the Bible.


Historian Ahlandria NortonHistorian Ahlandria Norton, the daughter of Lorraine Rogers, Kenneth Rogers and Allen Norton, plans to attend Mississippi State University where she will major in engineering and minor in nursing. While at Laurel High School, she was an active member of the Beta Club, Student Council and the Robotics Team. Throughout high school, she received numerous awards for highest average, was named a Superintendent’s List Scholar and Principal’s List Scholar, and is recipient of an academic scholarship and a Junior Auxiliary scholarship. She served two years as captain of the Laurel High School Color Guard. Active in the community, she assisted with preparing meal plates to serve others.
 


Caylee SansonRanking fourth, Caylee Sanson, the daughter of Courtney Trahan and Jeremiah Sanson, plans to attend Jackson State University where she will major in biology with a concentration in marine science. After JSU, she plans to attend Florida Institute of Technology where she will pursue a master’s degree in marine biology. While at Laurel High School, she was an active member of the Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Leaders of Jones County, ACT Club, Academic Ambassadors, Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band. For her academic achievements, she was named a Superintendent’s List Scholar and received high school and college credit in 10 dual-credit classes. She was a member of the LHS Golf Team, where she received the Championship Award two consecutive years. Active in the community, she has made donations to the Glory House and attended mission trips, volunteered at the Soup Kitchen and assisted tornado victims through CYO Youth Group.


Keandranique GilbertRanking fifth, Keandranique Gilbert, the daughter of Nezzie Atkins and Danny Atkins, plans to attend Tougaloo College where she will major in biology, with plans to become a doctor or medical illustrator. While at Laurel High School, she was named STAR Student for her 30 point ACT score. She was a member of the LHS Marching Band, Art Club and received six college credits through the dual enrollment program. She received a STAR Student scholarship, Presidential Academic Scholarship, Foot Locker Foundation Scholarship, Inc-UNCF Scholarship, and the UNCF STEM Scholars Scholarship.

 


Quaveon ArringtonRanking sixth, Quaveon Arrington, the son of Quvanda Arrington and Mark Keyhea, plans to attend Jackson State University where he will major in accounting. While at Laurel High School, he was an active member of Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America and served a section leader in the LHS Marching Band. He was also a member of the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble. He received four scholarship offers including, full tuition Jones College Maroon Typhoon Band Scholarship, Grambling State University Band Scholarship, Jackson State University Band Scholarship and a University of Southern Mississippi Academic Scholarship. Active in the community, he has served as a mentor and tutor.


Seaneria Sanders

Ranking seventh, Seaneria Sanders, the daughter of Don and Tangelia Odom, plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi where she will major in nursing. Her future plans are to one day work as the school nurse at Oak Park Elementary School. While at Laurel High School, she was an active member of Student Council, Beta Club, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir and Key Club. For her dedication to academics, she was named a Superintendent’s List Scholar, received the Girls’ State Award and was invited to attend the SPARK Leadership Conference. Active in the community, she assists the American Legion Auxiliary Post 210 with service to the Soup Kitchen, hosts an annual Easter egg hunt for children and visits the Veterans’ Nursing Home in Meridian.


Trey CocroftRanking eighth, Trey Cocroft, the son of Linda Cocroft and Lee Garner, plans to attend Tougaloo College where he will major in chemistry, with plans to become a forensic scientist or professional baseball player. While at Laurel High School, he was an active member of the Beta Club, Key Club, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir and award winning Showstoppers show choir. While in show choir, he received numerous awards including Pearl River Community College’s Mississippi Show Choir Contest Best Male Performer. He was also a member of the LHS Swim Team, named Association for Excellence in Education Student of the Month, Sertoma Student of the Month and Kiwanis Club Student of the Month, and placed first and third in the science fair. He is recipient of an Academic Excellence Scholarship and a Boy Scouts of America Scholarship. Active in the community, he has volunteered through the school, his church and Boy Scouts, assisting with meals, Pancake Day, Family Cub Scout outings, and visiting senior citizens.


Nadia McKenzieRanking ninth, Nadia McKenzie, the daughter of Abraham McKenzie and Krista McKenzie, plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and Xavier University where she will major in political science, with plans to attend law school. While at Laurel High School, she held numerous leadership positions including National Beta Club vice-president for the state of Mississippi, Governor of Girls State, First Priority team leader, Tornado Marching Band drum major, Concert Choir and Gospel Choir section leader, graduate of Future Leaders of Jones County, Cheer captain and Student Body president. She was also a member of Key Club, Student Council, Jazz Band and Concert Band. For her dedication to academics and citizenship, she was named Sertoma Student of the Month, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador, and Association for Excellence in Education Student of the Month.  She was one of two students selected to participate in Healthy Teens for a Better Mississippi, a program created by former Governor Phil Bryant. Active in the community, she completed numerous community service hours at the Glory House, Hellfighters, Soup Kitchen, Kiwanis Club Pancake Day and nursing centers, and traveled to Honduras for mission work. She completed six dual-credit classes through Jones College and one dual-credit course with William Carey University.


Jordhan BoothRanking tenth, Jordhan Booth, the son of Tiffany Husband and Lee Booth, plans to attend Tougaloo College where he will major in chemistry and forensic science. While at Laurel High School, he was a member of the Concert Choir where he served as bass section leader, Gospel Choir, Showstoppers show choir crew, Beta Club, Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America and graduate of Future Leaders of Jones County. For his talents and academics, he received numerous scholarship offers including, University of Southern Mississippi Honors College Scholarship, Jones College Choir Scholarship, Jones College Band Scholarship, full-tuition Tougaloo College Scholarship and Millsaps College Scholarship. He placed first in the Regional Science Fair and attended Project SEED at USM. An Advanced Placement student and dual-credit student, he received college credit for nine courses and passed all four of his Advanced Placement courses. Active in the community, he has been a volunteer at the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Day and has assisted the Glory House with serving meals to the community.