Video: Lowndes County Scholars Honored

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Student scholars from every school in Lowndes County are recognized for their hard work.

The Exchange Club of Columbus hosted its annual Youth of the Year and Accepting the Challenge of Excellence Awards program on Thursday.

A winner is chosen from each school and then an overall selection is made, after resumes and applications are submitted.

This is one of the many projects the Exchange Club does to reach out to kids and help them.

The winners have some advice for students, as they persue a career.

“Keep their head up, be strong, always keep God first. If you don’t have God in your life you will never overcome obstacles,” said West Lowndes student LaQuesha Clemmons.

“Learn from your hardships, keep pushing through and just do your best. Just take as, just take as, a way to build your character. Just always know, that you will be rewarded for your hard work,” said Victory Christian Academy student Allison Lemonds.

Youth of the Year honorees:

Ian Hartmann, Caledonia High School

Rachel Brown, Columbus Christian Academy

Destinee Bigham, Columbus High School

Carrie Westmoreland, Heritage Academy

Matthew Sarpong, Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, overall winner

Abigail Williams, New Hope High School

Michaela Williams, Victory Christian Academy

Kasey Shumpert, West Lowndes High School

Accepting the Challenge of Excellence honorees:

Bailey Beard, Columbus Christian Academy, overall winner

Christopher Wrench, Columbus High School

Taylor Moore, Heritage Academy

Jacob Crossno, Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

Allison Lemonds, Victory Christian Academy

LaQuesha Clemmons, West Lowndes High School