Meet our Patterson Scholar:  Jo'Shariah McCray

Cultivating Inspiration: Jo'Shariah McCray’s Journey
Jo'Shariah McCray’s journey is defined by her passion and commitment to making a difference. As the recipient of the Percy & Viola Patterson - Family Farms Scholarship, Jo'Shariah will pursue higher education at Alcorn State University. She plans to major in General Agriculture with a concentration in Environmental Science, with the goal of pursuing a career with the United States Department of Agriculture.

Jo'Shariah's interest in agriculture was sparked by her vocational education and further fueled by a summer internship with USDA's Agricultural Research Service in Stoneville, MS, in 2022. Now an AmeriCorps member, she is actively involved in environmental conservation, such as eliminating invasive trees and promoting native planting.
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Inspired by the words of Maya Angelou, “Nothing will work unless you do,” Jo'Shariah's contributions embody diligence, hard work, and ambition, representing the ideals the Percy & Viola Patterson Scholarship aims to foster in future leaders through the transformative power of higher education. We celebrate Jo'Shariah McCray’s achievements and look forward to her bright future as a Patterson Scholar in agriculture.

Preceding Patterson Scholars

Kameron Jenkins ('23)

Empowering Future Leaders: Kameron Jenkins' Path to Success
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Wanda Nathaniel (right), LHS Academic Counselor
Kameron Jenkins' journey is one of remarkable dedication and intellectual curiosity. As the inaugural Patterson Scholar, Kameron is pursuing an undergraduate education at Mississippi College, where he will major in Journalism, focusing on Sports Media. This choice reflects not only his ambition but also his profound gratitude for the foundational education he received as a student at Leland School District. 

Kameron finds inspiration in the words of J. Cole: "To appreciate the sun you got to know what rain is." This quote resonates deeply with him, reflecting his understanding that challenges and triumphs are both essential parts of life's journey. "It is the tough times that make the great things in your life even sweeter," Kameron observes, a perspective that has undoubtedly fueled his resilience and success.

We celebrate Kameron Jenkins' achievements and the exciting future that lies ahead for him. His story is not only hopeful but a shining example of the ideal of scholarship and transformative potential that the Percy and Viola Patterson Scholarship aspires to support in the leaders of the future.