Smith and Simpson Awarded Barksdale Honors College Scholarships at UM
Two New Albany High School graduates were among the fourteen students who entered the University of Mississippi this fall on prestigious scholarships to the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Peyton Smith and Brittany Simpson were selected to receive the $32,000 awards from among the two hundred seventeen freshmen enrolled in the Honors College this year.
Peyton Smith is the son of Britt and Patrice Smith of New Albany. Smith was ranked fourth in his class of 137 at New Albany High School, where he was STAR student, a member of the National Honor Society, and a Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee.. Peyton is an Eagle Scout and served as District President of the United Methodist Youth, and Youth Annual Conference Delegate for the Union County Leadership Academy. He is a member of First United Methodist Church where he was active in the youth group and choir. He is majoring in international studies.
Brittany Simpson is the daughter of Tony and Wanda Simpson. She served as Valedictorian of New Albany High Schools’ Class of 2007 and was a member of the National Honor Society, Anchor Club, and Mu Alpha Theta. Listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, she was a Congressional Award winner and a published poet in the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans. She is a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she was active in the youth program. She plans to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.
During the freshman year, students in the Honors College take interdisciplinary courses not offered elsewhere at the university, classes that expose them to critical thinking in the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. They also enroll in honors sections of courses in various disciplines to fulfill hours in their majors or to meet general requirements. Additionally, they work under the guidance of a professor on a significant research project, which produces an honors thesis in the student’s senior year.
