Video: Local Students Win Prestigious Scholarship

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Imagine leaving college debt free.

That will be the reality for one senior at West Lowndes High School.

Jay Little is heading to college with more than $300,000 in scholarship money.

“Good things do come out of Mississippi and I’m excited to represent my school, my community and myself,” said Little.

That’s how West Little feels after receiving a prestigious scholarship, the Gates Millennium scholarship.

It totals $240,000 and will fund his education to the highest level over a 10-year span.

Little is the first student to receive the award in the Lowndes County School District.

“It’s exciting and really shows my hard work and its showing how much I put into my community and the work that my parent has put into molding me into the person I am,” said Little.

Little will attend The University of Alabama and because of dual enrollment at EMCC, he has already earned 52 college credits and will start as a junior.

“Once I realized how much I can handle, I just went full force at it,” said Little.

In addition to the Gates Millennium scholarship, Little also has about $100,000 from other scholarships coming his way.

He says he plans to double major in computer science and computer engineering.

“I’m really big on technology and things like that, hoping to work for companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple,” said Little.

His principal, Dr. Cynthia McMath, has played an influential role in his academic success.

“I’m very proud of him, it just gives me chills thinking about it. We always talk about how hard it would be. Nothing is easy and he has accomplished his goal and we’re just very proud. I’m very proud of him and he’s very happy and I know that he will do well,” said Dr. McMath.

Little hopes he will be a mentor to those in his school and community.

“A favorite quote that I’ve ready before is by Oprah Winfrey and she says ‘ the ability to triumph begins with you always.’ And to me, that means that no matter what your surroundings may be, no matter what the norms in your community may be, that you can do anything and you can exceed the expectations of others around you and you just have to put that foot forward,” said Little.
Two seniors at Columbus High School were also awarded the Gates Millennium scholarship.

They say they are excited about the opportunities ahead because of the award.

“It feels absolutely amazing and the fact that just being chosen out of 53,000 other people, that’s really exciting,” said Shelby Jones.
“I’m going to my dream school. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, so knowing that I can go without any financial burden is really good,” said Taylor Carter.

The three students are part of the one thousand selected for the scholarship.