NATCHEZ &045; There were supposed to be many high school students at the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday, vying for a $1,400 scholarship.

Or at least that is what Mallory Dixon’s mom told her. The story went that whatever students showed up would put their name in a hat and there would be a drawing for the winner.

But the real story was, Dixon had already won the race. Once she got to lunch and saw no other students and was presented with the award, her mom’s story began to unravel. Dixon was nominated by her English teacher at Natchez High School and became the first recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Millicent Mayo scholarship.

Through the chamber’s education teacher initiative fund, funded by a donation from United Mississippi Bank, there will be a yearly scholarship awarded to a Natchez-Adams School District graduate going on to major in education at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Cynthia Parker Brumfield, co-chair with Mayo of the chamber education committee, said the scholarship came about through Mayo’s efforts and support of the school district.

&uot;It is Millicent’s idea to grow our own teachers (for the Natchez-Adams School District),&uot; Brumfield said.

Mayo, who the award is named after, presented Dixon with the award &045; one her mother, Ruby Williams said will help them financially through the first year of college with books and tuition.

Dixon plans to major in history education at Co-Lin, with a minor in political science. Mayo said she is glad the chamber has decided to help in the education effort.

&uot;Educators are needed and important to the community,&uot; Mayo said. &uot;It is the most rewarding profession anyone can go into.&uot;

And Mayo should know. She is in her 31st year in education, a career that has spanned from teacher to principal in Natchez. She now serves as public relations director in the Natchez-Adams School District.