HYLA Students Tour State Universities

 (CME)For Immediate Release:
September 26, 2019
 
The Hancock Youth Leadership Academy (HYLA) High School Program Class of 2019 embarked on a college cruise, generously sponsored by Walmart, on September 17th and 18th in order to tour state colleges and universities and get a glimpse of higher education opportunities in the state.  “This is most student’s favorite session!  It provides them with the opportunity to see what Mississippi has to offer in the college arena.” says director Rhonda Rhodes.
 
On September 17, 2019, the group traveled to University of Southern Mississippi where they met with faculty from the College of Nursing and then toured the new state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation lab.  There, the HYLA students observed the environment where nursing students receive valuable hands-on medical experience in a simulated hospital setting complete with 28 beds, an operating room, and a labor and delivery room.  The visit was complete with a tour of the entire campus and lunch at the Fresh Food Company.
 
From Hattiesburg, the leadership group traveled to Oxford and spent the night at The Inn at Ole Miss. Students were able to walk around The Square and ate dinner at the Old Venice Pizza Company. The next morning the group was treated to a campus tour which included an up-close look at The Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME). The CME is developing interdisciplinary educational opportunities within an innovative academic learning model that provides students with the practical experiences, fundamental knowledge, and creative skill sets needed to lead the world of modern manufacturing.
 
From Oxford, the tour continued on to Starkville where Admissions greeted the students and introduced them to the wide variety of programs offered by Mississippi State. Students then took a tour of the campus and Davis Wade Stadium.  The  College of Veterinary Medicine was next on the tour, where students were able to see firsthand how a high quality learning experience is balanced with advancing research while simultaneously serving the community through clinical care.  The day ended with dinner at the Fresh Food Company.
 
The 2019 HYLA High School Class is comprised of twenty-four high school juniors from Hancock County who represent all four area schools.  Applications for the 2020 junior high and high school classes will be available October 1st. Applications are available through all area schools, on the Hancock Resource Center website, www.hancockhrc.org, or by calling 228-463-8887.    HYLA staff will hold a workshop for interested high school applicants on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hancock Resource Center, located at 454 Highway 90, Suite B in Waveland (next to PRCC). This workshop will cover in detail the application and interview process as well as expectations for personal statement submission.   The deadline for submission of applications for both the junior high and high school programs is no later than 4 p.m., Monday, October 28, 2019.  Contact Rhonda Rhodes or Paige Lundgren for more information, 228-463-8887.
 
Picture #1:  HYLA students in the Grove at the Walk of Champions at the University of Mississippi.
Front row (left to right) Lindsey Magee (Hancock), Karina Alarcon (Bay), Sidney Hotard (OLA), Bre Hayes (Bay), Danae Fowler (Bay), Allie Dupont (Bay), Kate Mills (Bay), Hannah Davis (Hancock).
Middle Row:  Chelsea Smith (Hancock), Daniela Cruz (OLA), Cameron Benzing (OLA), Dianna Dardar (Bay), Joby Smith (Hancock), Reid Pierce (Bay), Brennan Toepfer (SSC), Sophia Compretta (OLA).
Back Row:  Jackson Maillho(SSC), Thomas Gilbert (Hancock), Kyle Capo (SSC), Josh Cothen (Bay), Joe Lawson (SSC), Allen Chatelain (Hancock), and Drew West (SSC).
 
Picture #2:  HYLA students tour the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University.
 
Picture#3:  Allie Dupont (Bay) administers CPR to a patient in cardiac arrest. 
 
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For additional information, contact Rhonda Rhodes at 228-463-8887 or [email protected].