In 2002, a legal assistant at Holland & Hart, was listening to NPR when she heard a story that inspired her to take action. The story was about “LaLee’s Kin,” a documentary film by Susan Froemke, Deborah Dickson and Albert Maysles, filmed in West Tallahatchie, Mississippi. The documentary profiled Laura Lee Wallace, a woman raising her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the West Tallahatchie School District (the poorest school district in the nation at the time). The legal assistant spread the word to the attorneys and staff of Holland & Hart and its foundation, who were moved to act.
After an initial in-person donation of books, school supplies, clothes and other items, the firm committed to a ten-year scholarship program to recognize each year one exceptional student, one exceptional teacher, and one exceptional teacher’s assistant. A decade later, the Board of Directors voted to extend the program, which is still a valued initiative with the Foundation today.
Congratulations to the 2023-2024 West Tallahatchie School District recipients:
- Reshondra Lakes at West Tallahatchie High School, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
- Henryetta Jakes-Griffin at R.H. Bearden Elementary School, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year.
- Shaquille Hudson, who will attend Northwest Mississippi Community College in the Fall 2024, was awarded the Promise Scholarship.
2023 recipients:
- John Fredericks at West Tallahatchie High School, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
- Denetrica Jackson at R.H. Bearden Elementary School, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year.
- Brooklynn Williams, who will be attending Delta State University-Cleveland, MS, was awarded the Promise Scholarship.
2022 recipients: Tina Franklin, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year; Linda Johnson, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year; and Rolando Mister, who was awarded the Promise Scholarship. Congratulations!
2021 recipients: Miss Quandesha Slaughter, who was awarded the Promise Scholarship; Ms. Ykieta Pimpton, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year; and Ms. Katrina Weinert, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Congratulations!
2020 recipients: Libya Evans, who was the recipient of the Promise Scholarship; Wynde Bailey, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year; and Shelia Outlaw, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
In the spring of 2019, Sam and Jean Guyton visited the West Tallahatchie School District and met with Howard Hollins, retired Superintendent of the School District, who worked with us in 2003 to set up the Mississippi Project, and Dr. Eddie McCord, Director of Curriculum/Assessment/MSIS Contact. They talked about the Project, how it has benefited the schools over the past 16 years, the challenges faced by the school, and how this program has made a huge difference to the School District and the community. They also met with Mrs. Devora Berdin, Principal of Bearden Elementary School, and Mrs. Ora Johnson, the 3rd grade teacher who was involved in setting up the Program and continues to organize trips to New York City and Washington, D.C. for District’s students.
2019 recipients: Reshondra Lakes, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Kinyetta Anderson, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year, Jakaylan Moore, who was the recipient of the Promise Scholarship.
2018 recipients: Mary Kimmons, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Linda Johnson, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year, Joylecia McCoy, who was awarded the Promise Scholarship.
2017 recipients: Germaine Hampton, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Tiffany Pigue, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year, and Keaundra Thomas, who was awarded the Promise Scholarship.
In the fall of 2017, Sam and Jean Guyton visited the District and met with students, teachers, and the principal of Bearden Elementary School and Webb High School.
2016 recipients: Justin Miller, who was awarded the Promise Scholarship, Meloney Beasley, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, and Beulah Washington, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year Award.
2015 recipients: Courtney Lee, who was awarded the Promise Scholarship, Linda Johnson, who received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, and Sheila Outlaw, who received the Outstanding Assistant Teacher of the Year Award.
