EVENTS
Search is on for the 2022 Class of Top 20 Under 40
By Ida Brown ibrown @ themeridianstar . com
Do you know a dedicated young professional or future leader ? Is there a true go-getter in your workplace or community ? Nominate them for the 2022 Top 20 Under
40 awards . Meridian Home & Style Magazine , The Meridian Star and Mississippi Power are seeking nominations to recognize 20 people in the Meridian area ( area code beginning with “ 393 ”) under the age of 40 who are making an impact professionally , but more importantly contributing to the betterment of the community . This includes people from every sector : education , business , health care , professional services , real estate , government , finance , law , military , nonprofits as well as other areas .
These individuals represent Meridian ’ s emerging leaders , as well as “ movers and shakers .” And you see many of them every day .
The restaurant server who arrives for work energetic and enthusiastic every day . And during their off time organizes both educational and fun activities for youth at local low-income housing complexes .
The young executive who is first in the office and last to leave at the end of the day . But who also conducts Bible classes during the week at a local nursing home or helps adults learn to read through an outreach ministry they established at their church .
The successful self-employed merchant who has organized a group of mentors dedicated to equipping the community ’ s youth with life skills such as how to balance a checkbook or how to dress for a job interview .
Or , the individual who prepares lunches or simple meals to give to the homeless . So why not nominate them ? In addition to the name of your nominee ( or nominees ), we need the following information . Please note , nominees cannot be nominated by immediate family members ( parents , siblings , spouse or children ):
• Age ( 21-39 by Sept . 2022 )
• Place of employment and job title
• Community involvement ( i . e . service clubs , civic organizations , volunteer groups , church outreach ministries , self-established community service organizations or groups , or other entities over the last three years .
• A nomination letter detailing why you think this individual should be a Top 20 Under 40 honoree .
• A daytime and evening telephone number where the nominee can be reached should they be selected .
• Your daytime and evening telephone number .
Honorees are selected by our staff and , pending COVID numbers , will be recognized at a reception attended by family , friends and coworkers .
If you know someone who should be in our next class let us know by sending your nominee ( or nominees ) information to : ibrown @ themeridianstar . com Make sure to include T20 / U40 in the subject line .
You also can mail nominations to : The Meridian Star , 814 22nd Ave ., Meridian MS 39301 , Attn : T20 / U40 The deadline for submissions is June 15 . And to make sure your nominee has not already been nominated , here ’ s the list of previous honorees .
Class of 2021 : John David Barr , Brandon Bridges , Misty Carter , Casey Culpepper , Michael Davis II , Lucy Dormont , Sarah Anderson Grabmiller , D . O ., Bobbie Harmon , JaWanda Huggins , Gunnery Sgt . Bryan T . Jones , Stephen Kay , Kaki Knight , Michaela Moore , Hatem Mourad , M . D ., Channing Peebles , Marie Roberts , Ph . D ., Dr . Lane Rush , James Rush , Ph . D ., Melanie Jones Anderson , Ph . D ., RN and Chase Slaughter .
Class of 2020 : Ashley Collins Roy , Brittany Belcher , Caleb Dulaney , Caroline Terry , Chris Knight , Erica D . Turner , Jay Shehi , , Joseph Emanuel Norwood , Julie Boles , Kyle Rutledge , Matthew Ryan Snyder , Melonie Moore-Washington , Nathan Williams , Patrick Kiger , Shannon Mathis , Terry Dale Cruse , Ed . D ., Tommy Horne , Tray Gamble , Trey Hannah and Tristian Washington .
Class of 2019 : Patty Ann Bogue , Dr . Matt Cassell , Holley Speed Davis , Larry Gill , Dr . Kimberly Grady , Tiffany Brooke Hickman , Crystal Jones , Russell Keene , Kim Blackwell Knight , Hospital Corpsman First Class Quenton Morgan , Brittney Mosley , Alicia Ruffin ; Danny Russell ; Master-at-Arms First Class Petty Officer Samuel Shipley , Justin Smith , Jamie Smith , Centel Truman , Ronald Turner Jr ., Mary Ellen Waters and Anna Wile . Class of 2018 : Antonio Altman , Elliot
Brewer , Leslie Carruth , the Rev . Scotty Cole , Dr . Dru Denison , Dermaine Johnson , Tyrone Johnson , Kyle Ladner , RP2 Jerome Miller Jr ., Adam Mitchell , Katelyn Moffett , Justin Palmer , Kym Parnell , Hallie Pearson Swindle , Elic Purvis , Trenton Steele , Jeff Tate , Christin Waters , the late Tonya Williams and Tommy Winston .
Class of 2017 : Mindy Aust , Kacey Guy Bailey , Jessica Gressett , Larkin Kennedy , Heather Rose Lacoste , Brandye Scott Latimer , Sara Love , Dustin Markham , Dr . Brock Martin , Kristin S . McAllister , Will Moseley , Sidney Nolan , Brent Pouncey , Lauren Denham Pratt , Michelle Reynolds , Devin Lane Snowden , Jeremy Stringer , N ’ Spire Walker , Shelley Whitehead and Barbara Gaston Zeller .
Class of 2016 : John David Ainsworth , Matthew Betts , Cole Cardwell , James Carter , Adrian Cross , Dusty Culpepper , David Hall , Casey Hendricks , An Howard Hill , Dustin Hill , Aa ’ Keela Hudnall , Krilecia Gianakos , Melissa Love , Derron Radcliff , Anna Stephenson Watson , Josh Thompson , Shevonda Truman , Josh Water , Daniel Wile and Heather Woodall .
58 • MERIDIAN HOME & STYLE