Mississippi Job Corps graduate, Lynice Higgins was one of the recipients of last year's Fluor Foundation Job Corps Scholarships.  On Feb. 22, 2009, Lynice stood before the legislature at the State Capitol in Jackson, MS with six other youth, and was presented a Gold Congressional Award Medal for her volunteer work in the community as well as her achievements in academia, career, physical fitness, and her personal life.

Two days prior, she had been presented the State of Mississippi "Senate Resolution Award" in recognition of this achievement.

Her recent volunteer work includes over 500 hours with a homeless shelter; several community clean-up projects; involvement in healthy living workshops for teen girls; participating in clothes drives for Goodwill Industries; and creating a physical fitness program for classmates.

A Girl Scout for 10 years, Ms. Higgins serves as a volunteer leader with the Girls Scout Council of Middle Mississippi, Troop 12. She has earned both a Girl Scout Silver Award and Gold Award and was a Distinguished Finalist in the 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

It's hard to believe that one person could embrace the community as much as she has, but the list of projects and organizations she's been active in speaks for itself: Copiah County 4-H Club, Hazlehurst Boys & Girls Club, Hazlehurst High School Marching Band Flag Drill Team, Hazlehurst High JROTC, Hazlehurst High School Student Council, Alpha Delta Zeta Phi Beta Debutante, Copiah County Ministerial Alliance Youth Program, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, and the MADDRAMA performance group.

She completed the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation's "Young Entrepreneur Program", MS-JCC's "High School Co-enrollment Program", JROTC's "Executive Officer Training", and Copiah Lincoln Community College's "Upward Bound Program".

Lynice has been advancing toward the Congressional Gold Medal for over 3 years having received Bronze, Silver, & Gold Certificates and Bronze & Silver Medals in years past.

She is currently a freshman at Jackson State University's W.E.B. DuBois Honors College and the Dept. of Facilities & Construction Work-Aid Program.  We are proud to have been able to play a part in the success of this outstanding student.