Rubesh Thirumalai, Rafif Aljohnaniin, Meriwether Waide, Amari Smith, Ashton Harris, Nadia Milons, Jeremiah Ward and Samuel Smitherman (left to right).
Photo courtesy of Sudduth Elementary School
Sudduth Elementary School and Oktibbeha Master Gardeners were recipients of the 2021 Governor’s Award from the Mississippi Association of Partners in Excellence (MAPE) for their work together to create excellent, engaging learning experiences for their students in the school garden.
MAPE recognized Sudduth Elementary School and the Oktibbeha Master Gardeners as one of Mississippi’s top school-community partnerships during the virtual 19th annual Governor’s Awards ceremony on March 26.
“The award is given by MAPE to recognize schools that connect with areas of need in their communities,” said Sudduth principal Morgan Abraham. “We were recognized for our students’ exceptional accomplishments in working with the Oktibbeha Master Gardeners Club.” According to Abraham, membe
Starkville Strong, a Facebook group of local volunteers, is taking on food insecurity in Starkville through a number of pop-up pantries spread throughout the city.
Starkville Strong was started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of supporting small businesses and restaurants. In the months following, administrator Brandi Duncan-Herrington, the owner and artist of Dunkington Art & Jewelry, has switched the focus to the community as a whole. I decided that the community needed help as well, and that, if the community was stronger, then it could better support small businesses, Herrington said. It s a cycle.
The pantries are expected to reach a total of seven in the coming weeks, with current locations at the First United Methodist Church, the Wesley Foundation and the Episcopal Church office. Four more pantries will soon be found at the J.L. King Center, Emerson Family School, the Boys and Girls Club and Sudduth Elementary School.Â