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A dozen ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students were named to the 2016 All-Mississippi Community College Academic Team, tops among the state’s 15 two-year colleges.

Honored among the 64 named to the list at a ceremony March 22 at the Jackson Convention Complex were:

• Natalie Blakely, of Brandon, a student at the Rankin Campus, Academic First Team, engineering major
• Olivia DeGrado, of Yazoo City, a student at the Raymond Campus, Academic Second Team, accounting major
• Jason Dillon, of Tylertown, a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing Allied Health Center, Academic Second Team, respiratory care technology major
• Mishael Drake, of Vicksburg, a student at the Utica Campus, Academic Second Team, biology major
• Kristen Dunaway, of Vicksburg, a student at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, Academic Second Team, biology and pre-medicine major
• Tyrus Hamilton, of Jackson, a student at the Jackson Campus-Academic-Technical Center, Academic Second Team, general studies
• Haley Harmon, of Vicksburg, a student at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, Academic Second Team, business major
• Walter Harris, of Hazlehurst, a student at the Utica Campus, Academic Second Team, information systems technology major
• Sharon Horn, of Madison, a student at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center, Academic Second Team, medical data technology and general studies major
• Robert Harrison Hunter, of Hermanville, a student at the Raymond Campus, Academic Second Team, computer engineering major
• Christin Lang, of Ottawa, Kan., a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing Allied Health Center, Academic Second Team, respiratory care technology major
• Sloan Session, of Flowood, a student at the Rankin Campus, Academic Second Team, accounting major

[tweetable alt=””]The All-Mississippi Academic Team[/tweetable], begun in 1994 as the first state-level academic recognition program for community and junior college students, recognizes the scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in community and junior colleges across the state. Team members were selected following several rounds of judging from education officials, business leaders from across the United States and a distinguished panel of representatives from federal agencies and national education associations based in Washington D.C.

Fifteen students were named to the First Team, with each receiving $1,000 scholarships. First and Second Team members receive special medallions, certificates and printed resolutions from each chamber of the Mississippi Legislature. They are also eligible for scholarships at many four-year universities designed exclusively for All-Mississippi Academic Team members.

The All-State team is coordinated by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College, the Mississippi Community College Board and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Dr. Gary Spears, president of Northwest Mississippi Community College, is the program chair.

The All-State Academic Team recognition program is an outgrowth of the All-USA Community College Academic Team, administered by Phi Theta Kappa. Twenty students named to the team will be featured April 12 in USA TODAY and receive $100,000 in scholarships.