The entire MSMS Class of 2024 received a full academic scholarship — a four-year gift estimated at $39,000 — from the University of Southern Mississippi on Mar. 6.

Multiple university officials —  including USM President Joseph Paul, admissions counselors and their mascot –  came to campus and joined students in a meeting in Nissan Auditorium. 

Paul discussed all USM has to offer to MSMS students, including high ranks in education, business and nursing degrees. He said USM’s two campuses — one in Hattiesburg and one on the Mississippi Coast — makes the institution a more adaptable college to attend. 

MSMS Executive Director Ginger Tedder said there are many STEM schools that form agreements with universities across the state that offer scholarships to high school graduates, and she hopes this can be cemented between MSMS and USM for future classes. The scholarship was originally brought up by MSMS Class of 1999 graduate Chad Edmondson, who reached out to USM in January. 

“This is a very significant opportunity for MSMS graduates, and I am very grateful to USM for reaching out to reward our students with this opportunity,” Tedder said. “We will continue to pursue long-term agreements with Mississippi universities for future scholarships.” 

At May 1’s College Reveal Day, approximately nine students revealed they would attend USM. Only three students from the MSMS Class of 2023 enrolled at the university.

“Clearly there was a major increase in students able to receive a full tuition scholarship,” said MSMS Counselor Heath Stevens. “We have three times as many students who we believe are going to attend Southern Miss compared to last year.”