MPSD Foundation Celebrates Student Achievement at 2nd Annual Trailblazers of Excellence Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | April 1, 2026

Meridian, MS — The MPSD Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, proudly hosted the 2nd Annual Meridian Public School District Trailblazers of Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding student achievement across the district.

The event honored students who have demonstrated exceptional academic success, including those who earned a Perfect Score on the MAAP Assessment, achieved a score of 25 or higher on the ACT, and those who reached Platinum status on the ACT WorkKeys assessment. These accomplishments reflect the dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence of MPSD students.

“One of our goals for the foundation is to recognize student excellence, and we are truly excited to be able to recognize students for their work in the classroom, whether it be on state tests, the ACT, or the ACT WorkKeys,” said Neil Henry, MPSD Foundation President. “Seeing the work of these students lets us know that the future is bright in Meridian.”

Students recognized during the ceremony received trophies and Academic Scholar polos in honor of their achievements. Junior honorees were presented with a distinguished blue blazer to wear while representing Meridian Public School District at academic and community events. In a special surprise, senior honorees were gifted laptops to support their continued success beyond graduation.

The celebration brought together students, families, educators, and community leaders to applaud these remarkable achievements and the bright future they represent for the Meridian community.

“This event is a powerful reflection of what happens when a community comes together to invest in its students,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Carter. “Through the support of the MPSD Foundation, we are able to celebrate and reward academic excellence in a meaningful way. The Trailblazers of Excellence Awards not only recognize our students’ hard work and achievement, but also inspire them to continue striving for greatness as they prepare for their futures.”

The MPSD Foundation extends its gratitude to event sponsors, including the City of Meridian and Councilman Dwayne Davis, for their continued support of educational excellence in the community.

Serving as Masters of Ceremonies for the evening were Jigga JT of 95.1 The Beat and Deitra McKenzie, Chief Meteorologist at WTOK, who helped make the event both engaging and memorable.

The Trailblazers of Excellence Awards continue to highlight the importance of academic achievement and the impact of community partnerships in supporting student success across the Meridian Public School District.

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