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Local refinery awards $20,000 in scholarships as board celebrates student achievements
Summary
Ergon representatives presented six $20,000-in-total scholarships to district students and board members recognized athletic, CTE and academic achievements. Staff detailed career-pathway expansions and planned national CTE competition travel.
Ergon representatives presented scholarships and the Vicksburg Warren School District board used its regular meeting to highlight a string of student achievements.
Maribel, an Ergon community representative, and Steven Warner, plant manager at the Vicksburg refinery, described a scholarship program aimed at students pursuing post-secondary education in manufacturing and technical trades. Warner said the scholarship required a 3.5 GPA, an ACT score of 21 or higher and enrollment or planned enrollment in programs such as welding, HVAC or mechanical engineering technology. "We're excited about it," Warner said, noting the company’s goal to help build a local workforce.
The board also recognized multiple athletic accomplishments. Coach Lewis and athletics staff announced state-level achievements including tennis qualifiers and multiple powerlifting state champions from Vicksburg High and Warren Central High schools. Coach Lewis presented trophies and coaches were invited forward for recognition. "Let's give them a hand," the athletics presenter said while reading award citations.
Career and technical education (CTE) programs were highlighted as well. Dr. James, the district’s CTE director, praised students who placed at the SkillsUSA state competition and noted pending board approval for travel to a national competition in Atlanta. Students who participated in an entrepreneurship boot camp — a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Mississippi State’s MCity Entrepreneur Center — described how the program helped them develop pitches and small businesses. Kira Melton said the course "prepared me so much" for public-facing roles, and student Glenn Thomas described founding a business that donates 20% of proceeds to charity.
Why it matters: The scholarships and expanded pathway programming represent a public–private partnership aimed at strengthening local workforce pipelines. The board flagged next steps, including finalizing teacher assignments and ordering lab equipment for a new pathway model intended for middle schools next year.
The board’s recognition items and the Ergon presentation concluded the superintendent’s report; related approvals and further policy updates were scheduled for upcoming meetings.
