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Where Are They Now? Jon Mark Nail, Award Winning Writer/Director, Regent University

Pictured above:  Jon Mark Nail, a New Albany native, is an award winning film student at Regent University.

Jon Mark Nail, a 2004 graduate of New Albany High School, is currently attending Graduate School at Regent University in Virginia where he is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Directing.  He is the son of Mark and Carol Anne Parks Nail.

Nail graduated from Delta State University in 2008 with a degree in Criminal Justice and took some film classes as a student there.  One of the films he wrote was entered into the Delta International Film Festival.  Although that particular film did not win any awards, the excitement and encouragement he received during the festival determined his future of pursuing an advanced degree in film. 

He will graduate from Regent University in 2011 with a Masters of Fine Arts in Directing.  Nail has written and directed four films during his time at Regent, three of which have received awards. 

His first film, The Gravedigger, won two awards:  “Best Redemptive Film” at the Regent MFA Showcase and a Gold Remi at Worldfest Houston.  “The faculty at Regent decided to submit The Gravedigger to Worldfest Houston, which is a film festival that takes place in Houston, Texas,” explained Nail.  “My first film made it to Houston, won a Gold Remi, and touched people. To say it is an honor doesn't begin to explain what I felt then.”

Nail’s third film, Sad Sarajevo, was awarded “Third Best Film” at the Otis Film Festival.  His most recent film, The Walk, won an “Excellence in Writing” award at Regent University’s Film School Showcase. The Showcase featured 15 films from the students at Regent University. 

“All four films that I have made are set in the Deep South and have a distinct Southern voice,” he explained. “My hope is that I can continue telling stories set in the Deep South as I feel that many films set here seem to enjoy exaggerating a negative view of Southern culture and our way of life.”

Nail gives much credit to the English Department for his success.  He is especially grateful to Joan Smith who taught him a  “Mississippi Writers” course while he was a student at NAHS.  “Mrs. Smith gave me the tools and encouragement to do what I am doing now,” he said.  “She always reminded me to write what I know, think, and feel.  That is a lesson I have taken with me through college.”

Below:  Jon Mark Nail (right) works to produce an award winning film at Regent University. 

Where Are They Now? Tamara Crawford, Aeronautical Engineer, Fort Worth, Texas

Tamara Crawford, a 1996 honor graduate of New Albany, has recently been the recipient of several awards and honors.  She was honored as the sole recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year Award for the University of Mississippi on October 16.  This is the highest honor that the Alumni Association awards annually to alumni who have demonstrated excellence in their profession, community, and the University.

Later in the month, Crawford was recognized nationally for the 2009 Women of Color Technology Rising Star Award.  This award recognizes advancement in shaping technology for the future and demonstrating excellence in the workplace and community.  The Women of Color organization recognizes women of color based on leadership, innovation and outstanding work in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Crawford also recently appeared in the "AE On The Move" feature section of Career Engineer magazine, a publication of the National Society of Black Engineers.

She graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.  She received her Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering from Southern Methodist University in 2006.

Crawford currently serves as the Senior Aeronautical Engineer with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, a premier aerospace defense company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.  The company is contracted to design and produce fighter aircraft. 

She works in the area of Mass Properties for the F-22 Raptor Program as a mass properties engineer.  “I utilize the fundamentals of systems engineering processes to accomplish production and modernization tasks on the F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft,” Crawford said.  “My primary focus regards the weight, balance and inertia of the aircraft and how changes affect the overall aircraft system.
 
The daughter of Archie and Jeannelle Crawford, she is a member of several professional organizations and is active in church and community service.  Crawford volunteers for "Greet the Troops" at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. “Dallas-Fort Worth Airport is one of only two airports where troops arrive home from out of country,” she said.  “This is a great opportunity for me to welcome men and women back to the United States.”  She added that her father is a Vietnam veteran and two of her brothers served in the United States Navy.

Crawford gives credit to New Albany School District for her successes in college and in her profession.  “Math and science classes were beneficial to me as they were an integral part of my future profession,” she said.  “Participating as the original group of New Albany High School students to partner with the Stennis Space Center program was also beneficial.” 

“Being involved in extracurricular activities helped me develop social and teambuilding skills in conjunction with expanding my horizons beyond New Albany,” Crawford said.  She specifically mentioned being involved in the Speech and Debate Team led by Alicia Robinson and the school’s Mock Trial Team.  “Being a part of both of these groups helped to sharpen my presentation and speaking skills; moreover, it helped sharpen my critical thinking skills,” she said.

“The New Albany School System is dedicated to continued improvement toward excellence so our youth will be prepared as our nation's future leaders,” Crawford said.  “I had a network of supportive teachers who encouraged me while I was a student and even while I was in college. Their support and well wishes toward me continue even today.”

Pictured below:  Crawford is standing in front of the first carrier variant F-35C, aircraft CF-01, which was recently unveiled on July 23rd, 2009.  The carrier variant is the last of the three of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to be designed and will become part of the Navy fleet.

The CF-01 is a test version of the F-35C Lightning II Navy aircraft.  The
latest F-35C version is designed to accommodate Naval air forces and
features catapult take-off abilities as well as an arrested landing mechanism to accommodate the needs of Naval aviators landing on aircraft carriers.  This aircraft has been rolled off the final-assembly line and transferred to flight-test.

Note:  New Albany School District is proud of all its graduates.  If you know of a graduate who has received an honor, please e-mail Melanie Shannon, Public Relations at mshannon@newalbany.k12.ms.us.

Where Are They Now? Latrese Martin, Law School, Emory University

Latrese Martin, a 2005 graduate of New Albany High School (NAHS), is in her first year of Law School at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is the daughter of Denotee and Ruth Martin.

While at NAHS, Martin was a member of the Speech and Debate Team, the Pride of New Albany Marching Band, Anchor Club, and National Honor Society.  “Speech and Debate was very beneficial to me because it developed my research, writing, and oral presentation skills,” she said. “These are the skills that I found most useful in college and they are very useful to me in Law School.”

Martin was complimentary of her high school English and history classes.  “My favorite classes were history.”  She continued, “But I would have to say that the most beneficial classes were my English classes because they taught me a skill that was vital to my success in college and that is vital to my success now, writing.”
 
“Latrese was passionate about history and enjoyed the debate and discussion of historical events,” said Troy Trout, Martin’s high school history teacher.  Trout continued, “Even at that point in her education she could choose either side of a controversial discussion and defend it.  I know that skill will serve her well in the legal field.” 

Following graduation from NAHS, Martin attended Millsaps College in Jackson and received a Bachelors Degree in History this past spring.  At Millsaps, Martin was President of her Sorority Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha and was selected to participate in the Millsaps College Arts and Letters Research Symposium.  Approximately ten candidates are selected each year to participate in the Symposium.  The topic of Martin’s research paper was the political career of Representative John R. Lynch.

Martin currently volunteers as a caseworker for Student Legal Services, a free service Emory provides for students or professors needing legal help or advice.  She plans to graduate in 2012 and is uncertain about which type of law she will be pursuing but is considering Civil Litigation.

Dees Recently Elected School Board President

Dr. Jason Dees was elected President of the New Albany School Board at the March meeting.  Dees is beginning his fifth year of service on the board. He recently reflected on his years spent as a student in the New Albany Schools and discussed goals he would like to see the board accomplish over the next year.

Dees is a 1990 graduate of W. P. Daniel High School where he was named salutatorian and received the E. B. Kennedy Scholarship.  He graduated magna cum laude from Erskine College in 1994 and received the H. M. Young ring, the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the senior class.  The award is based on usefulness to society, Christian character, and scholastic achievement.

Dr. Dees received his medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1999.  He completed his residency in Family Medicine and a fellowship in women and children’s health.  He is affiliated with the New Albany Medical Group.

According to Dees, New Albany Schools provided him with the academic foundation and extra curricular activities necessary to be successful in college and in his career.  “Being involved in Mississippi Youth Congress was a great leadership tool for that point in my life,” Dees said.  He also gave credit to his band experience.  “The team work I learned there and the accepting nothing less than the best was incredible.”

Dees said that the math and science education he received in New Albany was second to none and very helpful as an undergraduate science major.  He also mentioned that the Public Speaking and Business Computer Applications courses prepared him for college and he still uses many of those skills today.

He is a firm believer in public education and is happy to serve the community by being on the school board.  “The public school system of New Albany formed a foundation that has given me multiple incredible opportunities to this point in my life,” Dees stated. “If I can help to give others that same foundation that will lead them to achieve greater things than they ever thought possible it will be worth it.  I choose to serve because being on the board is an opportunity to give back to a place that has given me the opportunity to achieve so much.”

It is very rewarding for Dees when he hears of student accomplishments and sees the excitement in students.  “I can't tell you the pride I feel when I hear that one of our students has gotten a great academic scholarship, or won an award at a competition, or been chosen to represent our district at a state or national meeting.”

“We are very fortunate to have a New Albany success story such as Dr. Dees serving on the Board of Trustees,” said Cathy McClinton, School Board member.  “It is a privilege to serve with someone as dedicated and knowledgeable as Dr. Dees.” 

McClinton continued, “He leads the Board in our continued effort to assure that all of our students graduate with the ability to succeed.”

Of course, Dees wants the schools to continue moving forward and wants to see several things accomplished during the next year.  He says the board will do the first major revision of the strategic plan.  This is the document that will guide the board for the next several years.

“The current plan was created during my first year on the board and has served us well,” he said.  “I think we are more focused on student achievement, more consistent with our discipline, and developing a stronger extracurricular program.”

Dees wants the school board to continue to look at the School of Career and Technical Education to make sure that the school is preparing all students for the workforce.  He also wants to continue to review the curriculum throughout the middle and high schools to make sure that students are being prepared to handle the rigor of college course work. 

“While people in the community will hear that we are trying to improve our ACT scores and we are, our ultimate goal is to make sure that students are ready to handle the thinking and reasoning skills that are required at the college level.  ACT just happens to be an excellent frame work to make this happen,” Dees explained.

 “We appreciate Dr. Dees serving on the school board and the work he has already accomplished,” Dr. Charles Garrett, Superintendent said.  “He is truly committed in preparing our students for college and the work force.”