Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 14

NEWS FROM AROUND TO SHARE TIPS, IDEAS: Contact: Clif Lusk, assistant metro editor-communities Jackson area: 961-7259 Fax: 961-721 1 E-mail: cluskjackson.gannett.com PIP THE CLARION-LEDGER JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI CLARI0NLEDGER.COM WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2001 2B ft KjlJkb ft mfiallnl UUUIUI Public invited to annual event at hospital Friday Th CJanorvldger The entry fee for the volleyball tournament is $40. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Break of Dawn, featuring Latongya Garner, will appear courtesy of Universal Funk Inc. Other scheduled entertainers include the Skeets McWilliams Band and gospel singer Teresa Pierce. All proceeds will go for the benefit of patients, residents and clients at the hospital This year's funds will be used to buy benches for the hospital's patient transportation system.

lies," said Whitfield director James G. Chastain. This is also an opportunity for the public to visit the campus and learn more about mental health during National Mental Health Month." National Mental Health Month was started 50 years ago to educate the public about mental health issues and the reality of mental illness. "As one of America's most recognized health observances, Mental Health Month is a great opportunity to learn more about the importance of WHITFIELD mental health issues affecting Mississippi and the nation," Chastain said. This year, Whitfield, along with other organizations and communities across the country, are focusing the nation's attention on the critical role mental health plays in the lives of all Americans.

"During May, and throughout the year, we will reinforce our common vision that mental health matters," he said. Other activities to be held by the hospital this some attention to some local communities and to the rest of the state about what mental health means," Ravencraft said. Scheduled activities Friday include live entertainment, a hole-in-one contest at the Harry O'Steen Golf Course, co-ed volleyball tournament, art exhibit, book sale, raffle games, concessions and vendor booths. There will also be children's activities, including face painting, a moonwalk and games. There will also be a raffle.

Top prize will be $1,000. month include public tours of the campus, off-campus community awareness programs and, on May 11, a ground breaking ceremony for its crisis intervention center in Cleveland. An employee luncheon will be held May 9. "Friday will provide the opportunity for the community, patients, employees and their families to come together for a day filled with activities for all ages," said State Hospital spokesman Jarrod Raven-craft. "What it means for us is the opportunity to bring Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield will kick off National Mental Health month Friday when it hosts its 20th annual MSH Day festivities.

Activities begin at 9 a.m. and will wrap up around 2:30 p.m. "This will be a day of fun, food, vendors, games and activities for the community, employees and patients, and their fami 3 MC graduate earns spot with U.N. agency i 7 CLINTON ued to pursue the possibility of a U.N. internship.

His persistence paid off. He was granted a three-month internship. Engels said one of his most exciting experiences as an intern, was being able to represent the group at a General Assembly ad hoc Committee meeting. Today his work centers around the development of refugee legal clinics in Cen- Jo Hit Tne Cianon-Leacjer Into the swing of things -Jeff Bruce of Brandon gets in some golf practice fields on Mississippi 25. A four-handicapper, Bruce Tuesday afternoon at the Northwest Rankin soccer tries to practice a couple times a week.

Mi tral and Eastern Europe, and he is a Hun-g a i a refugee lawyers' Engels Clinton: New Census Figures Census information released recently for all Mississippi communities shows growth and demographic changes Traffic alert Mississippi Department of Transportation officials urge metro-area motorists to use caution today in and around the Jackson area. A 22 Clinton! RANKIN COUNTY STUDENTS HONORED: Rankin County School District will honor more than 1 90 high school seniors who scored a 22 or above on the American College Test. Students from Brandon, Florence, McLaurin, Northwest Rankin, Pela-hatchie, Pisgah, Puckett and Richland will be recognized at the Brandon High School auditorium at 9 a.m. Thursday. STAR students and teachers from across the district will also be recognized.

Mississippi Secretary of State Eric Clark will provide the keynote address. JACKSON PRESENTATION: The Jackson Fut-bol Club is holding its first senior recognition and scholarship presentation at 7 p.m. today at the Sports Club in Jackson. JFC girls and boys will be honored, with special recognition to all college scholarship recipients and the Gatorade Players of the Year. For more information, call Dean Joseph at 317-3070 or Maria Baronich at 965-5245.

HEALTH SCREENING: a free health screening, sponsored by Gilbert Home Health, will be held at Meadow Ridge Senior Apartments, 230 E. Beasley Road, from 1-4 p.m. May 17. Free blood pressure and sugar screenings will be available. For more information, call 991-0085.

MADISON LIBRARY CLOSING: All branches of the Madison County Library System will close at 6 p.m. today for a computer upgrade. The libraries will re-open at noon Thursday. For more details, call Beverly Herring at 859-7733. NATIONAL PRAYER DAY: Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler announces Thursday as National Day of Prayer in the city of Madison, and will host an observance at Madison City Hall from p.m.

Everyone is invited to the Madison City Hall for a public time of prayer and renewal for the country, state and city. METRO AREA ALUMNI MEETING: The Metro Jackson chapter of Alcorn State University will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in The Clarion-Ledger community room. EDUCATION WORKSHOP: The Educational Learning Corp. is now accepting applications for workshops to enhance educational opportunities for children, adolescents and adults.

Workshops include tutoring, GED and ACT-SAT preparation. For more information, call 977-004 1 SCHOLARSHIP BALL: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will sponsor its annual Alpha Epsilon Lambda Chapter Scholarship Ball at 8 p.m. Friday at Central City Complex, 609 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.

The scholarship is awarded to metro-area high school graduating male seniors who will attend a university or college in Mississippi. For ticket information, call Jeffery Virgil at923-1812or713-2660. CLINTON RENEWED SPONSORSHIP: The ChemFirst Foundation Inc. of Jackson has awarded Clinton school district's "Best Friends" abstinence education program a gift of $15,000 for the coming school year. The continuing sponsorship by ChemFirst helps make possible the Best Friends program for girls in grades 6-8, said Clinton schools Assistant Superintendent Limmie Flowers.

Other financial sponsors include Super Wal-Mart of Clinton, the Junior Auxiliary of Clinton and a Title federal grant that supports abstinence education, she said. Best Friends teaches preteen and early teen girls the perils of drugs, alcohol and sex and guides them in making good decisions and good friendships. For information, call Best Friends instructor and physical fitness coordinator Deborah Morgan at Lovett Elementary, 924-5664. MADISON GOLF TOURNAMENT: The city of Madison Chamber of Commerce will host its 10th annual Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament on May 1 0 at Lake Caroline. The tournament will feature a four-man, best-ball format with shotgun starts at 8 a.m.

and 1 p.m. Proceeds will benefit chamber programs and events. Team and individual entries are welcome. The entry fee is $85 per player, and includes a putting contest, lunch provided by Lady Catherine's, a door prize and a dinner banquet. For information, call the chamber at 856-7060.

From staff reports 25; Law school next for Jackson native Christopher Engels Special to the ClartoM.dgr When then-Mississippi College undergraduate Christopher Engels became the school's first trans-Atlantic scholar at Salzburg College in Austria, little did he know the semester would eventually land him a job at the United Nations. The Jackson native is currently a consultant in the legal department with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Vienna, Austria. This is his second opportunity to work with the U.N. group.

He previously served an internship there. "An undergraduate student working for the United Nations in Vienna is quite impressive," said Emily Fokeladeh, assistant professor of German at Mississippi College. "It all started with one semester in Salzburg." In 1997, Engels was the first MC student to attend Salzburg College. Since that time, 39 students have participated in the program. Six to 10 students are slated to attend the college for the next academic year.

Salzburg College offers a scholarship to all MC students who apply for the program. "Our students have consistently made a good impression on the officials at Salzburg College," Fokeladeh said. When Engels first went to Austria through MC's Salzburg program, he learned of the possibility of an internship with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The following year, Engels received the Mississippi College German Exchange scholarship for a year of study at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. While there, he contin- MADIJ I Lakeland Dr.

Woodrow Vu" Wilson Ave. sXyJ? 7 CJo P'V U)L Riverside Dr fl coDV 1 POPULATION 1 990 1 1 2000 guide to representing clients. "This tool is simply an introduction to the Hungarian refugee law system for lawyers and law students interested in working with refugees through legal clinics," Engels said. The son of Tony and Mary Engels of Jackson, he graduated summa cum laude from MC in May 2000 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and a minor in German. He said he chose MC because of the study abroad opportunities, the school's academic reputation and its location near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

"Cycling and camping on the trace became integral parts of my university life," Engels said. When Engels returns from Austria this summer, he will be making a decision about law school. He has been accepted to Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans. He is also waiting to hear from other universities. Engels said he plans keep in touch with his professors at MC.

"My professors were mentors and friends who continue to encourage me in my academic endeavors," he said. 321,847 23,347 RACIAL PERCENTAGES 2 Other Today's MDOT traffic advisories are: The left lane of 1-55 northbound between Gluckstadt and Highway 22 will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until noon. The left lanes of 1-55 south- and northbound about one mile from Old Agency Road will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Crossovers, including the Airport Road intersection in the Rankin County end of the Lakeland Drive Reconstruction Project, will be closed in intervals for placement of surface asphalt. One lane on Highland Drive and on the ramp from 1-55 northbound to Lakeland Drive will be closed during the day for placement of surface asphalt. The right and center lanes of 1-55 north-bound at the Riverside bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane.

Hispanics (Ethnicity) 1 Adults 75 Under 18 25 Area of square miles 23.84 Population density 979.17 Nam a TT Ye-'- Name: Stephanie Gong Age: 17 School: Jackson Preparatory School ACT: 31 Name: Matthew Hayes Age: 18 School: Northwest Rankin High ACT: 34 Activities: Matthew is an Name: Vernon McFarland Age: 17 School: Northwest Rankin High ACT: 30 Activities: Vernon serves Name: Claire Nettles Age: 17 School: Clinton High ACT: 34 Activities: Claire is secretary of Mu Mauney Age: 17 School: Clinton High ACT: 33 Activities: Matthew served 112 sJrJ Cong Hayes Mauney McFarland Nettles Activities: Stephanie is president of the National Honor Society and Student Council senior class reporter. She is vice president of the Biomedical Club and is a National Merit Finalist. She is an accomplished tennis player, twice winning the girls singles state championship. The Jackson Country Club tennis coach volunteers at The Orchard nursing home, for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the March of Dimes Easter Egg Hunt. Eagle Scout and was selected to Rankin Youth Leadership.

He is his school's Academic Team captain and is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the Thespians. He is a member of his school's mathematics and science team. Active in drama, Matthew is a member of the Black Rose Theater Company and a Madison County Cultural Center player. He maintains a grade-point average of 100.269. as president of the National Honor Society and the Clinton High debate team.

He was elected president pro tern at Mississippi Youth Congress. Matthew is an Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 345 and also serves as the troop's Webmaster. He is on the Clinton High forensics team and is a National Merit semifinalist. Matthew volunteers for the Clinton Community Nature Center, Boy Scout Camp Hood and Operation Life Saver. as Beta Club president and assistant editor of the school newspaper.

A varsity basketball player, he is a National Achievement Finalist and is in Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. Vernon serves his community as a tutor, a volunteer youth soccer coach and as a member of the WJTV Student Resources Board. He has volunteered for the Mustard Seed and is secretary of his Sunday school and a Vacation Bible School assistant. Alpha Theta and served as captain of her school's mathei matics and science team. She finished in the top 20 percent on chemistry and the top percent on math in the Missis sippi College Mathematics! and Science Tournament Claire is a National Merit Finalist and was named STAR Student.

A member of the Fel-! lowship of Christian Athletes she was voted Most Intellectual by her classmates. Claire volunteered on a mis- sion trip to Romania..