Holmes Announces 2026 Grenada Campus Hall of Fame Inductees
GRENADA, Miss. — Holmes Community College recently recognized four outstanding students from the Grenada Campus as members of the 2026 Holmes Community College Hall of Fame, one of the college’s highest student honors.
The 2026 Grenada Campus Hall of Fame inductees are Reid Blaylock of McCarley, Lora Cain of Carrollton, Katie Grace Ray of Duck Hill and Amber Thompson of Ackerman.
Students selected for the Hall of Fame are recognized for their academic achievements, leadership, campus involvement and service to their communities.
Reid Blaylock
Reid Blaylock of McCarley is the son of Jason and Terri Blaylock. He is a civil engineering major who has been named to the President’s List and selected as a Freshman Class Favorite.
Blaylock has received several scholarships, including the Junior Auxiliary Scholarship, Jefferey Jones Memorial Scholarship, Carrollton Lodge No. 36 Scholarship, Mississippi Association of Supervisors Scholarship, Modern Woodmen of America Scholarship, Bain and Corey Scholarship and iFight Team Dees Scholarship.
He is actively involved on the Grenada Campus, serving as a Holmes Ambassador and vice president of Honors in Action for Phi Theta Kappa. He is also a member of the Baptist Student Union and Grenada Content Creators Club and has served as a Homecoming escort.
Outside of Holmes, Blaylock has gained professional experience through a summer internship with the Mississippi Department of Transportation. He is also involved in his church, where he has served as a DNOW Bible study leader and volunteered with Vacation Bible School.
After graduating from Holmes, Blaylock plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi to continue his education in civil engineering.
Lora Cain
Lora Cain of Carrollton is the daughter of James and Heather Cain. She is a health sciences major who has been named to the President’s List and received the Laurie Herbert Scholarship and Junior Auxiliary of Winona Scholarship.
Cain is actively involved on the Grenada Campus as a Holmes Ambassador and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Through these organizations, she has participated in campus activities, student leadership opportunities and service initiatives.
Following her studies at Holmes, Cain plans to continue pursuing a career in physical therapy. She is considering the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Holmes or further education in physical therapy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Katie Grace Ray
Katie Grace Ray of Duck Hill is the daughter of Louis and Wendy Ray. She is an accounting major who has been named to the President’s List and received several scholarships, including the Dean’s Scholarship, Valedictorian Scholarship, Rotary Club Student of the Year Scholarship and Leah Fielder Farm Bureau Memorial Scholarship.
Ray serves as a Holmes Ambassador and president of Phi Theta Kappa. She is also involved in the Student Government Association, Grenada Content Creators Club and Baptist Student Union. During her time at Holmes, she has been selected as a Freshman Class Favorite and represented the Grenada Campus as both a Freshman and Sophomore Homecoming Maid.
Outside of Holmes, Ray works at Universal Awards and Trophies in Grenada and is an active member of Duck Hill Baptist Church. She participates in church committees and ministries, including the choir, nursery, sound team, College and Career ministry, special events, Vacation Bible School and missions committee.
After graduating from Holmes, Ray plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi to continue studying accounting. She hopes to earn a master’s degree in accounting and become a certified public accountant.
Amber Thompson
Amber Thompson of Ackerman is the daughter of Charlene Mims. She is an associate degree nursing student and a recipient of the Grenada Lions Club Scholarship. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Thompson has participated in several community service activities, including the Tiny Blessings Daycare Fall Festival, Mt. Moriah Church Health and Wellness Day in Coffeeville and a church field day and health fair at the Grenada Lake Pavilion. She also plans to participate in Operation Christmas Child in November.
Following completion of her nursing degree, Thompson plans to further her education by earning a master’s degree. Her ultimate career goal is to become an associate degree nursing instructor and help prepare future generations of nurses.
The Holmes Community College Hall of Fame recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, character and service. The four Grenada Campus inductees represent the college’s commitment to developing students who make meaningful contributions both on campus and in their communities.
IN THIS PHOTO: Holmes Community College Grenada Campus 2026 Hall of Fame inductees are Lora Cain of Carrollton, Katie Grace Ray of Duck Hill, Amber Thompson of Ackerman and Reid Blaylock of McCarley.