2019 Queen
|
Clair Griffis Huff was born in Meridian, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Meridian High School and the University of Mississippi. Clair currently serves as the Meridian Public School District Arts Coordinator, an outgrowth of the Any Given Child/Meridian Initiative. She served for 17 years as Lead Teacher and Whole Schools Project Director at Poplar Springs Elementary which has been recognized as a Model School within the Whole Schools Initiative for the past 7 years. Recognized by MAAE as Outstanding Project Director as well as the Meridian Junior Auxiliary as an Outstanding Life Member, Clair holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from MS College and a BS degree from the University of MS. With over 24 years of experience in public education, Clair serves on the Any Given Child/Meridian Community Arts Team seeking to provide access and equity in the arts to all children in the Meridian Public School District. In our community, Clair serves on the MS Distinguished Young Woman Board of Directors and the Annual Program Committee as Host Family Chairperson. She serves on the United Way Woman’s Leadership Council specifically promoting literacy through the Power of the Purse event which funds Imagination Library for Lauderdale County. Clair currently serves on the Meridian Council for the Arts and the MLT Youth Committee. She has previously served 2 terms on the board of the Meridian Little Theatre and served as President, Vice President and Mini Grants Chairperson of Junior Auxiliary of Meridian. The Huffs are active members of Central United Methodist Church. Clair and her husband, Brad, are the parents of four adult children… Sarah Margaret, Laura, Meme and Miles. In her spare time, she loves gardening, reading, exercising, Ole Miss sports and the arts!
Lee Valentine was born in Newton, MS and graduated from Decatur High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi, his graduate degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Since 2014, Lee has served as the Director of Medical Education at East Central HealthNet Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, and the Medical Director of the Meridian Free Clinic. He also currently serves on active staff of Rush Foundation Hospital, John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital, and Laird Hospital.
Lee is a member of The National Board of Examiners of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the American Osteopathic Association, has served two terms as President of the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the Mississippi State Medical Association. He has served as the Chairman of the Department and Adjunct Professor of Family Practice at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, been a board member of Boy Scouts of America, and a board member and volunteer physician at the Meridian Free Clinic. For 10 years, Lee served as a Lieutenant Colonel Flight Surgeon and Medical Officer with the 186th Air Refueling Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard. He has an Instrument rating as a private pilot and has judged numerous Mississippi Junior Miss Programs. He was awarded the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Master Preceptor Award, The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine “Shoe Leather” Award for service beyond the call of duty, and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award. Lee and his wife, Helen, have three children, Patton (Rachel), Nelson (Liza), and Mary Lela (Adam). They have one granddaughter, Ellie, and another granddaughter on the way. They are active members of Central United Methodist Church. |
2019 Royal Court
Edie Davis - daughter of Lifetime JA Member Holley Davis, granddaughter of Lifetime JA Member Susan Speed
Mason Hill - son of past President and Lifetime JA Member Kristen Hill
Sally Kate Kennedy-daughter of Lifetime JA Member Jenny Ruth Kennedy
Simmons Kennedy- daughter of Lifetime JA Member Jenny Ruth Kennedy
Ann Martin McKenzie - daughter of Associate JA Member Elizabeth McKenzie
Reid McKenzie - son of Associate JA Member Elizabeth McKenzie
Anna Morgan Mims - granddaughter of Lifetime JA Member Jill Aycock
Maddox Mims - grandson of Lifetime JA Member Jill Aycock
Walker Mims - grandson of Lifetime JA Member Jill Aycock
Kirk Rogers- grandson of Lifetime JA Member Ellen Rogers
Sarah Katherine Simmons - granddaughter of Lifetime JA Member Kathy Pigford, great-granddaughter of Lifetime JA members Dixie Pigford and Katherine Perry
Reese Stump - grandson of Lifetime JA Member Ree Pollman
Remy Stump - granddaughter of Lifetime JA Member Ree Pollman
Mason Hill - son of past President and Lifetime JA Member Kristen Hill
Sally Kate Kennedy-daughter of Lifetime JA Member Jenny Ruth Kennedy
Simmons Kennedy- daughter of Lifetime JA Member Jenny Ruth Kennedy
Ann Martin McKenzie - daughter of Associate JA Member Elizabeth McKenzie
Reid McKenzie - son of Associate JA Member Elizabeth McKenzie
Anna Morgan Mims - granddaughter of Lifetime JA Member Jill Aycock
Maddox Mims - grandson of Lifetime JA Member Jill Aycock
Walker Mims - grandson of Lifetime JA Member Jill Aycock
Kirk Rogers- grandson of Lifetime JA Member Ellen Rogers
Sarah Katherine Simmons - granddaughter of Lifetime JA Member Kathy Pigford, great-granddaughter of Lifetime JA members Dixie Pigford and Katherine Perry
Reese Stump - grandson of Lifetime JA Member Ree Pollman
Remy Stump - granddaughter of Lifetime JA Member Ree Pollman