13 Ridgeland students inducted into the Holmes Hall of Fame

Holmes Community College faculty and staff recently selected the prestigious Hall of Fame winners for the 2024-25 academic year. The Hall of Fame recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership and community involvement. The recipients exemplify the college’s values of excellence and service. This year’s Ridgeland Campus recipients include Macey Bowman of Pelahatchie, Swayze Brewer of Brandon, William “Cooper” Canard of Madison, Jessica Gibbons of Flora, Christina Guzman of Florence, Jeremy Heflin of Florence, Michael Jarju of Gluckstadt, Morgan Kendrick of Richland, Anniston Lyles of Brandon, Logan McAdory of Brandon, Mary Lane Ray of Madison, Johnathan Thompson of Camden, and Amani Willis of Brandon.

Macey Bowman, the daughter of Melanie and Don Beam, and Brent Bowman, has made a significant impact on campus during her time at Holmes. A health science major, she has been active on campus as a member of The Growl newspaper staff while also serving as vice president of the Student Government Association for both her freshman and sophomore years. After graduating, Bowman plans to attend William Carey University to pursue a double major in biology and forensic science. Her ultimate goal is to complete the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at William Carey and specialize in dermatology.

Swayze Brewer, daughter of Angie and Larry Brewer, has demonstrated academic excellence and campus involvement throughout her time at Holmes. A pre-radiology major, she has been named to the President’s List and Dean’s List, is a two-time recipient of the prestigious STEMMY Award and has been actively involved in Phi Theta Kappa, Student Government Association, Rotaract and the Holmes Ambassadors. Brewer plans to continue her education at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she will complete a two-year radiology bachelor’s program and become a licensed X-ray technician.

Cooper Canard, son of Laura Canard and Richard Peyton Canard, has pursued mechanical engineering at Holmes while achieving top academic honors, including placement on the President’s List. His leadership is evident in his role as president of Phi Theta Kappa. Canard plans to transfer to Mississippi State University to complete his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and later pursue a master’s degree. His long-term goal is to work for an innovative technology company like NASA or Boston Dynamics.

Pre-occupational therapy major Jessica Gibbons, the daughter of Dawn and Michael Gibbons, has excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities. She is a recipient of the Holmes English Composition Award and a two-time STEMMY Award winner. Gibbons has been an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, serving as vice president of the college project, and is a skilled guitarist who plays for Westhaven Baptist Church. She plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi for a degree in kinesiotherapy before pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Christina Guzman, a biology major, has been an outstanding student at Holmes. The daughter of Maria and Miguel Guzman, she has been named to the President’s List and is a dedicated member of Phi Theta Kappa. She plans to continue playing soccer at the university level while studying biology and later enrolling in a dental hygiene program.

Mechanical Engineering major Jeremy Heflin, son of Johna and Joseph Heflin, has excelled academically, being named a President’s List Scholar. He has also played for the Holmes Men’s Soccer Team and served as a Student Government Association representative. Heflin plans to continue his education at Mississippi State University and eventually establish a private engineering firm in the Jackson area.

Business Administration major Micheal Jarju, son of Sally Veronica Demba, has embraced his time at Holmes since arriving in the United States two years ago. He has served as vice president of the school project for Phi Theta Kappa and as a Holmes Ambassador. Jarju plans to pursue a finance degree at Texas A&M, with a long-term goal of gaining professional experience before earning his master’s degree.

Morgan Kendrick, daughter of Tamara Kendrick and Robert Whiteside, is a child development major. She has dedicated her time at Holmes to academic excellence and professional experience in early childhood education. Kendrick has served as a Writing Center tutor, worked as a teacher at Assisi Early Learning Center and is a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa. She plans to attend Mississippi University for Women to further her education in early childhood development, ultimately becoming an elementary school teacher.

Anniston Lyles, daughter of Michelle and David Donovan, is a pre-radiologic science major. She plans to attend the University of Mississippi to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health and later specialize in radiology, aiming to become an ultrasound technician. Lyles has been actively involved in Phi Theta Kappa, serving as vice president of Honors in Action, and has also contributed as a Holmes Ambassador. Additionally, she has served as a work-study student for Career-Technical Education and for the library. Off campus, Lyles has volunteered with a local ministry called Shower Power.

Logan McAdory, son of Lisa and Jeffrey McAdory, is an electrical engineering major. He plans to transfer to Mississippi State University in the fall of 2025 and has lined up an internship with Entergy over the summer. McAdory is projected to graduate from MSU in the fall of 2027, after which he will seek a career in the electrical engineering field. He has been actively involved in Phi Theta Kappa during both his freshman and sophomore years.

Mary Lane Ray, daughter of Jennifer and Andy Ray, is a business administration major. She plans to attend Mississippi State University to study graphic design. After graduation, she hopes to take a gap year to explore personal interests before entering the workforce. Ray has served as a Phi Theta Kappa officer and worked at multiple businesses, including U.S. Lawns.

Johnathan Thompson, son of Alice and Matthew Thompson, is a civil engineering major. After Holmes, he will transfer to Jackson State University to earn a bachelor’s degree, with a long-term goal of real estate development and urban planning. Thompson has been recognized on the President’s and Dean’s Lists and is a Phi Theta Kappa officer.

Amani Willis, daughter of Pamela and Bryan Willis, is a health science major. She plans to continue her studies in exercise science at the University of Mississippi on a pre-med track, with the goal of becoming a dermatologist. Willis has served as a Phi Theta Kappa officer and Holmes Ambassador, as well as a volunteer for St. Dominic’s Hospital and Word of Life Church’s media team.

Holmes faculty, staff and administration congratulates these exceptional students on their achievements and looks forward to seeing their continued success.

For more information about the Ridgeland Campus Hall of Fame honor, contact Pamela Fells at pfells@holmescc.edu.

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IN THIS PHOTO: Pictured are the 2025 Holmes Community College Ridgeland Campus Hall of Fame recipients. They are (front row, left to right) Jessica Gibbons, Morgan Kendrick, Mary Lane Ray, Swayze Brewer, Anniston Lyles, Amani Willis, (back row, left to right) Johnathan Thompson, Micheal Jarju, Jeremy Heflin, Logan McAdory, Cooper Canard, Christina Guzman and Macey Bowman.