By Christian Coffman

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Southwest Mississippi Academic Leadership Conference paved the way for high schoolers looking to advance their academic careers early.

The free conference was on Saturday at the Alcorn School of Business.

Participating students gained essential tools required to graduate high school and gain acceptance into college.

Students came from Adams, Wilkinson, Amite, Franklin, Jefferson and Claiborne counties.

The coordinators of the conference were Missy Lollis, Delisia Wicks, Markeisha Pollard and Chinwe Udemgba.

The four young women are still in college and are graduates of the Mississippi School of Math and Science.

Lollis told participants that their attendance illustrated their commitment.

“We know that on a Saturday you could be doing anything, but the fact that you’re here shows that you’re passionate about this,” she said.

Workshops for the students focused on ACT prep information, résumé building, networking tips, leadership training, a college fair and professionalism sessions with guest speakers.

Bobby Banks, a seventh-grade assistant principal from Columbus, was invited to speak to students about how to handle conflicts in communication and social media.

“We are public figures and we have to handle ourselves professionally,” he said. “I want them to understand what life is about, and it’s all about service. We look at our professions as a service.”

Cierra Nicole Sherman, who will be teaching in the fall at Wilkinson County High School spoke about the importance of building a good résumé.

“They have little to no job experiences … I’m going to teach them how that participation in clubs, organizations and volunteer work can make their résumés more marketable, handsome if you will,” Sherman said.

Natchez pharmacist and sponsor Michael Winn, organizer Wicks’ uncle, said it is beneficial for students to see young and successful faces.

“This particular event is very unique because we have students that are the facilitators here at this event, letting other students know that it’s possible,” Winn said.

Winn said when it comes to differences in age, students see someone who’s older and often struggle to relate.

“I think they can relate to the students here because they’re keeping it real, and letting them know that their goals are achievable. You just have to work hard and be focused,” Winn said.

Organizer Pollard said that having someone such as Banks, who is only in his 20s, teaching the high school students is a good thing.

“It’s good for students to see someone so young be successful,” Pollard said. “You don’t have to be older to do things in your community … I think that’s important for kids to see.”

Wicks said she felt blessed that she and the other coordinators were able to put the conference together with the help of others at such a young age.

“We’ve had a lot of influences and people guiding us through our journeys,” she said. “I feel thankful for the people who poured into us and helped us on our journeys.”

Wicks said she and the other coordinators were inspired by another student who graduated from MSMS when that student put on a similar conference.

“Missy was the one who was the initiator of everything,” Wicks said. “This is this inaugural year, and we hope to keep it going.”

Pollard said she was pleased with the project.

“It feels great because I’m very passionate about education,” Pollard said. “People always ask me what I want to do after my education, but I want to do something that impacts other people’s lives. So, this is a really important project for me. I hope that the students who come here today learn something for this.”