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JPS Class of 2026 Earns Over $65 Million in Scholarships

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JPS Class of 2026 Earns Over $65 Million in Scholarships

 

The Jackson Public Schools Class of 2026, consisting of 1,392 graduates, exemplified academic excellence by earning more than $65 million ($65,404,367) in scholarship offers from colleges and universities nationwide. Jim Hill High School led the District with $33,543,603 in scholarship offers, followed by Murrah High School with $13,500,000.

Jackson Public Schools announced the valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2026 during its annual Salute to Scholars program, held May 18, 2026. These distinguished honorees represent the top two scholars from each of the District’s six high schools and were selected based on academic performance.

  Valedictorian Salutatorian
Callaway

Shelbie Walker
A smiling woman with long, reddish-brown locs and a pearl necklace is posed against a plain gray background.

Grace Short
Forest Hill
A young woman with dreadlocks and a pearl necklace smiles gently against a textured brown background.

Phoenix Hicks

 
A young Black woman with braces and a pearl necklace smiles at the camera in front of a brown, textured backdrop.

Jessican Patton

 
Jim Hill
A young woman with a pearl necklace and a black off-the-shoulder dress smiles at the camera against a blue gradient background.

Iyah Moore

 
A young Black woman with a pearl necklace smiles broadly in the foreground against a dark blue, textured background.

Emaleigh Wilson

 
Lanier
A young man with dreadlocks and a bow tie is pictured against a textured brown background.

Cortez Howard

 
A young woman with vibrant red hair and a pearl necklace smiles against a textured brown background.

Karmen Diggs

 
Murrah
A person in a tuxedo smiles at the camera against a plain, dark background.

Mary Milnor

 
A young Black woman with dreadlocks and glasses smiles warmly in a black off-the-shoulder dress and pearl necklace against a textured brown background.

Keely Byars

 
Provine
A young Black girl with curly hair and round glasses smiles in the foreground against a mottled brown background.

Maliya Wilson

 
A young Black man in a black suit and red bowtie is centered against a plain, textured beige background.

Arionne Thomas

 

In addition to recognizing valedictorians and salutatorians, the Salute to Scholars program provided an opportunity to celebrate other high-achieving scholars across the District. Honorees included the top ten scholars from each graduating class, 17 new inductees into the ACT 30+ Club, 8 Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) STAR Scholars, and 11 scholars who earned the Seal of Biliteracy. Seven seniors, one representing each high school, were also awarded a combined total of $20,000 through the Leland Speed Scholarship program.

We celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2026 and extend our congratulations and best wishes for continued success in the future.

Jackson Public Schools hosted its 2026 commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors on Tuesday, May 26, and Wednesday, May 27, at the Mississippi Coliseum. View the graduation photo galleries by school.