Pictured above:  Felicia McGaha Dunn is inducted as a CPA into the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy this past spring.

Felicia McGaha Dunn, a 1998 graduate of New Albany High School, is an accountant with the Georgia-Pacific Corporation.  She serves as a Senior Accountant in the Corporate Accounting Group and works at the headquarters office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Her job responsibilities include handling the accounting for most corporate inter-company debt, the legal entity accounting for several foreign and domestic corporate entities, and also has responsibilities centered around fixed assets.

Dunn graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  In April of this year, she was inducted as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) into the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy.

It was in high school that Felicia decided on accounting as a career.  “I took an accounting course under Mrs. Gloria Cooper in high school and fell completely in love with it,” she said.  “I was determined that one day I would be a CPA.”

Dunn said that her aunt (Alicia Robinson) and her parents have been extremely instrumental in her life as they expressed the importance of education and career and exemplified it through their own personal successes.  Robinson, who teaches at NAHS, taught Felicia and served as her Speech & Debate coach.

She is the daughter of Dennis & Brenda McGaha of New Albany.   Felicia is married to Durran Dunn, who is also a CPA as well as a Certified Internal Auditor.  They have one child Christopher Berry and are expecting their second child.  

Pictured below:  Felicia McGaha Dunn with her family.

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. 

According to Martin, her job includes booking tours and concerts for clients internationally.  The agent negotiates the deal and Martin is responsible for entering the deals and following through with every aspect of the booking process until the show has played and all the money has been paid.

Martin said that she had never really thought much about becoming an Agent and had no idea of what being an Agent entailed.  “I knew that I would love to have a job where interacting with people was key and I thought it would be awesome to do something in the entertainment industry,” Martin added.  “My original plan was to save enough money to move to Nashville, Tennessee and try to get a job in the country music industry.” 

She graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2009 with a degree in Hospitality Management.  Following graduation from Ole Miss, Martin spent several months sending out resumes and networking in hopes of getting a dream job in Nashville. 

“One day I woke up and finally realized that I just had to start being bold in order to get a job,” said Martin.  “That same day, I started e-mailing every person who had ever given me a business card and I came across a card that was given to me five years ago by the Manager over all of the Music Divisions at William Morris Endeavor.”   Martin emailed him, had an interview the next week, and was fortunate enough to get the job.

The person that gave Hannah the business card was Benjamin Scales, Manager of the Music Divisions in Beverly Hills, New York, Nashville, Miami, and London.  She met him during the Christmas holidays while working at Van Atkins. 

" Who would have thought when I met him five years ago that he would soon be giving me the most amazing opportunity to work for an unbelievable company,” Martin said. “What makes all of this even cooler is that Benjamin is also from New Albany and went through the same school system as me!  We also had some of the same teachers.  Benjamin is truly the ultimate example of having a dream and never giving up on that dream.”

Martin said that growing up in New Albany and attending school here will always hold a special place in her heart.  “I wouldn’t give anything for growing up in New Albany.  I loved knowing everyone and I thought it was so special to have lots of the same teachers that my daddy had growing up.  I am thankful for the friends that I made and teachers that I had at New Albany.”

She is especially grateful to Kelly Coltharp, a teacher she was fortunate to work with during her time at both New Albany Middle School and NAHS.  When Martin was in the 7th grade, she and other middle school students would go to Coltharp’s classroom to tutor students. 

While a student at NAHS, she was in Coltharp’s Journalism Class.  “Ms. Kelly always believed in me and always made me feel like I could do anything I put my mind to,” Martin said.  “I realize that it was all of those days that we spent writing the scripts and filming our school news show that made me want to be in some aspect of the entertainment industry.  I realized then that I didn’t want to be in front of the camera but I could definitely see myself doing the behind the scene things.” 

Martin hopes that one day she will be an Agent.  “I’m not sure exactly which way in the music industry I will go but I know this industry and job is exactly where I need to be!”  Her advice for students in New Albany:  “Never think that your dream is too big or too impossible for it to happen to a small town New Albany kid.”

Smith is a part of the Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC), a teaching program designed to get recent college graduates from all over the country to teach in high needs areas of Mississippi.  MTC is a two-year program that offers participants the opportunity to earn a master's in education while teaching middle school or high school.

“I have always had a passion for history, mostly because my dad always did,” Smith said.  “I grew up knowing a lot more history than most because he always told me stories about the Civil War and World War II.”  Smith said he decided to major in history because he was not sure what he wanted to do with his life, so he decided to do something that he would enjoy. 

“I did enjoy learning history at Ole Miss and became especially interested in the history of Mississippi and the South as a whole,” said Smith.  He continued, “My interest in the state of Mississippi was part of what led me to join the Mississippi Teacher Corps.” 

Wanting the opportunity to help the state Mississippi and to experience areas of the state that he was not especially knowledgeable is what attracted Smith to the MTC program.  “Teacher Corps has given me that opportunity and has also allowed me to meet a lot of interesting people from all over the country.”

Smith was very generous with complimenting the New Albany School District with his interest in history and his success in college.  He noted that he enjoyed his Mississippi Studies, World History, and Advanced Placement United States History Classes because they continued to spark his interest in history.  Smith added that he was appreciative of the Journalism class and his advisors for giving him the opportunity to be creative.

He also noted that the English classes he took at New Albany High School prepared him for college level classes and was grateful to several of his high school English teachers.  “Those classes were especially helpful to me when I attended college as I knew how to construct an essay and write a research paper.”

“Parks, a natural in front of the camera as well as an excellent writer for the Maroon and White, was willing to put in the extra time and effort it took to meet deadlines,” said Kelly Coltharp, who served as Smith’s Journalism advisor. “That hard working attitude is serving him well in his career now. I am proud of his decision to make a difference in lives of hard to teach students through Mississippi Teacher Corps. He teaches all day in one of the poorest areas of the state while working on his master’s degree in education after hours.”

Smith is grateful for not only the school district from which he graduated but also the community he grew up in.  “From my observations of other schools around the state I know that I am very lucky to have graduated from a place like New Albany High School.”  Smith continued, “I realize how important it is for the people of New Albany to continue to support public education.  The quality of a community completely depends upon the quality of its public education.”

Pictured above:   Catherine Ann Herrington (3rd from left) and Collins Tuohy (4th from left) enjoy time with friends at The Blind Side premier in New Orleans.

Catherine Ann Herrington has used 2009 as a year of opportunities.  Herrington is a 2005 graduate of New Albany High School and a Graphic Design major at the University of Mississippi.  This past summer Herrington interned for a children’s clothing manufacturing company in New York City.  And more recently, she has been excited to work with Michael Oher to create the logo for his foundation, The Michael Oher Foundation, Blocking for Hope.

Herrington has known Oher since her freshman year at Ole Miss.  She says she was honored when Oher approached her about designing the logo for his foundation, which will help to provide foster care and adoption opportunities for children that need academic and financial help with achieving their goal of going to college.

“Michael told me he was completely open to any design yet his vision was of a football player pushing the logo with ‘a hint of Ole Miss’,” Herrington said.  “Michael is ready to hit the ground running with the foundation and I know that his foundation will help so many children in need.”

Catherine Ann is friends with Collins Tuohy, Michael’s sister through his adopted family.  Last month, Herrington attended the premier of The Blind Side, a recent movie release that tells the heartwarming story of Oher being adopted by the Tuohy family.  The premier was held in New Orleans and was hosted by Actress Sandra Bullock.

This past summer Herrington had another unique opportunity when she interned for Topsville, Inc., a New York City based manufacturer and distributor of private label children's clothing.  “I interned in their design department, creating pattern designs for the upcoming season,” Herrington said.  “I also did everything I would expect a summer intern to do, from running errands up and down 7th Avenue, to organizing fabric swatches, and even sewing my first button onto a sample.”

One project that Herrington was given was to design a teddy bear for a newborn children’s clothing line.  The teddy bear is wearing a backpack, which holds the newborn outfit.  Herrington said she was sent on a scavenger hunt through the fashion district to find the materials she would need to create a prototype of the teddy bear.  Her design was approved and the teddy bear will be sold next summer at TJ Maxx stores nationwide.

"Interning was very beneficial because I got to work with graphic designers in a structured environment,” Herrington said.  “The people that I worked with at Topsville, Inc. were so kind and helpful and taught me so much about the design world.”

Herrington said the two months she spent working and living in New York City was an experience that was both eye opening and rewarding. “My summer in New York inspired me as an artist, taught me lessons I can one day use in the working world, but also made me appreciate growing up and calling New Albany, Mississippi my home.”

Herrington will graduate in May with a BFA in Art, with an emphasis in Graphic Design.  She is currently working on her thesis that she will present to the public in March.  Herrington has accepted a position with University Sporting Goods in Oxford, as head graphic designer, and will begin after graduation.   

Herrington added that she was blessed to have teachers in the New Albany School District that encouraged her to pursue her love of art from a very early age.  “Working on the high school yearbook and being a part of The Maroon & White newspaper staff influenced my decision on choosing Graphic Design as my major.”

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 .

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.

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.

Pictured above:  Kyle Kimbrough (left) and Clay Ormon enjoyed outdoor activities such as horseback riding while working at 320 Guest Ranch in Big Sky, Montana.

Two New Albany High School (NAHS) graduates had the unique opportunity to experience the West this summer.  Kyle Kimbrough and Clay Ormon had summer jobs at 320 Guest Ranch in Big Sky, Montana from May 19 until August 4.  The ranch is located on the Gallatin River and is just a few miles from Yellowstone National Park.

Kyle had heard about this opportunity from a friend at Mississippi State.  The two applied online and were selected.  Kyle ran the fly fish shop on the ranch and gave fly-fishing lessons.  Clay was on the maintenance team and did landscape work, mowed, and built fences.  The two picked up odd jobs in construction after work to make extra money.

“The best part of the trip was just being out West where there are endless opportunities for an outdoors guy like myself to participate in,” Kimbrough said.  “We were able to go horseback riding, rafting, hiking, biking, fishing, and cliff jumping.”

“Montana is a beautiful state and sightseeing was around every corner,” Kimbrough added.  The two frequently visited Yellowstone and saw everything from Old Faithful to grizzly bears.  They also had the chance to see Little Bighorn and many Lewis and Clark sites. 

“The weather in Montana was great,” Ormon said. “When we got there in May, we were standing on a frozen Lake Yellowstone.”  He added that it snowed at the ranch on June 7.  “The best part of the experience was horseback riding in the mountains and getting to hike Yellowstone. Seeing the wildlife everyday was amazing.”

Kimbrough and Ormon are 2007 graduates of NAHS and are both juniors at Mississippi State University.  Kimbrough, the son of Gerald and Lydia Kimbrough, is majoring in Biological Sciences.  Ormon, a marketing major, is the son of Paul and Maria Ormon. 

Kyle is a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and serves as an Alumni Delegate and Student Director of Athletic Affairs.  Clay played two seasons of soccer at Itawamba Community College (ICC) where he served as team captain during his sophomore year.  While at ICC, Clay was initiated into Phi Theta Kappa.  He was recently named a National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-American in the sport of soccer for the 2008-2009 year.

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 .

Robinson is one of seven individuals across the nation to be selected as a section winner.  Robinson is the Section 3 winner, which represents most of the southeastern states. 

The NFHS Speech, Debate and Theatre Association Outstanding Speech, Debate, and Theatre Educator Award was first given in 1988.  Since that time, more than 150 individuals have received sectional awards.  The awards recognize outstanding high school speech, debate and theatre directors and coaches.

The Speech Advisory Committee selected the recipients based on the following criteria:  overall contributions, years of service to both curricular and co-curricular activities, organization and continuance of an activity program, significant and on-going contribution to the field, and contributions to the profession both in and out of the state.  

Robinson, who was chosen as Mississippi’s Outstanding Speech, Debate and Theatre Educator last fall, received the Section Award in Jackson, Mississippi this spring.  Dr. Charles Garrett, Superintendent of Schools, attended the awards ceremony with Robinson. 

Robinson has taught Social Studies, English, and Speech for more than 20 years at New Albany High School.  During her time at NAHS, Robinson’s Speech & Debate teams have been very successful at the state level and have attended national competitions.