Mississippi
High School Journalism Project
From Ida B. Wells to Willie Morris to Oprah Winfrey, Mississippi has a storied history of raising journalists who change the world.
The Mississippi High School Journalism Project aims to continue that tradition by ensuring that today’s students receive the skills and tools to become tomorrow’s journalists and civic leaders.
Our goal is simple: Expand statewide access to student journalism, starting with an inaugural cohort of 18 high schools.
Whether students go on to win a Pulitzer Prize or run a small business, the critical thinking and communication skills they learn in a school newsroom provide a lifetime of value. These programs prepare students for the future while strengthening our state’s civic infrastructure.
Invest in the next generation of storytellers. Join us in building a more informed and engaged Mississippi.
Your support helps us provide the training that will enable our teachers to build and sustain excellent student journalism programs.
Participating Schools
Amanda Elzy High School
Byhalia High School
Calhoun City High School
Callaway High School
Canton High School
Forest Hill High School
Gautier High School
Hattiesburg High School
Jim Hill High School
Lanier Jr. Sr. High School
Magee High School
Mendenhall High School
Murrah High School
Natchez High School
Pascagoula High School
Provine High School
Shannon High School
West Union High School
Meet the Teachers
Terranee Brent teaches 10th grade English II at Forest Hill High School. She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts with concentrations in education and human sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Arts in teaching with a concentration in elementary education from Jackson State University and a specialist in education, administration and supervision.
Aleece Farish teaches theater and English and advises the yearbook at Byhalia High School. She is a teacher-consultant with the University of Mississippi Writing Project and serves as chair of the Byhalia High School English department.
John Macon Gillespie is a first-year high school English and journalism teacher at Calhoun City High School. He has a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi. Gillespie has nine years of experience as a sportswriter, both for the Calhoun County Journal and as a beat writer covering the Ole Miss Rebels.
Roishina C. Henderson is an ELA/creative writing teacher and student publications sponsor at Amanda Elzy High School. A freelance writer and book editor with more than 25 years of experience, she is a former print journalist at The Clarion-Ledger.
Laura Hosman teaches 10th grade English and serves as an assistant debate coach at Hattiesburg High School. The former Teach for America corps member received her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2013 and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2008 with a degree in political science.
Roushiell France S. London teaches English 1 and Technical Writing in the Workplace at Forest Hill High School. She previously served as a faculty member at the Palompon Institute of Technology in the Philippines, where she taught English and professional education subjects. She successfully coached students to the national level of student journalism competitions.
Soumya Middleton teaches art and journalism at Magee High School. A proud graduate of her alma mater, she received an associate degree in arts from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and a degree in architecture from Mississippi State University.
Olivia Puente is a sixth-year English teacher at Shannon High School, teaching English IV as well as a variety of English electives. She is certified in instructional mastery of ACT English and serves as a Beta Club sponsor.
Dr. Alfred Smith Jr. is a former journalist and a current officer in the Mississippi Air National Guard. As co-chair of the English and language arts department at Provine High School, he teaches English IV, Essentials for College Literacy and Dual Credit Public Speaking.
Peyton Taylor teaches eighth grade history, coding and media classes at West Union High School. He is also the yearbook sponsor, esports coach and social media manager at the school. In his spare time, he is a broadcaster in both public address and live broadcasts for multiple high schools and community colleges around the area.
Haley Wilkinson is an English teacher at Gautier High School. For the past four years, she has also served as the school’s yearbook adviser.
Anthony Cabbab teaches English IV and Essentials for College Literacy at Provine High School. He served as a national trainer for media and information literacy in the Philippines and co-founded the Alternative Classroom Program at his former school.
Kaitlyn Fowler teaches English II and serves as the newspaper adviser at Murrah High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mercer University and a Master of Arts in teaching through the University of Mississippi’s Mississippi Teacher Corps.
Deondrea Harrell teaches 12th grade College and Career Readiness at Lanier Jr. Sr. High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education, both from Jackson State University, and is currently pursuing a specialist degree in educational leadership.
Morgan G. Hoben teaches journalism, oral communication and debate at Natchez High School. Hoben is a graduate of Natchez High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Natchez Campus), the University of Southern Mississippi, Alcorn State University and Delta State University, where she earned advanced credentials in education.
Katessa Leverette teaches English IV, AP Literature, AP Language and journalism at Jim Hill High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in English and master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Deborah Mangum teaches AP English Literature and Composition to seniors at Callaway High School. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mississippi State University and a Master of Arts in teaching from Belhaven University.
Destanie Nelson is a first-year teacher, teaching English and journalism at Canton High School. From Raymond, Mississippi, she has a bachelor’s degree in English education from Jackson State University and is currently working on her master's degree.
Karly Richardson is an art teacher and yearbook adviser at Pascagoula High School. A graduate of the University of South Alabama with a degree in art education, she has taught for 22 years and served as the yearbook adviser for 15 years.
Anna Tate teaches at Mendenhall High School and serves as a mentor and an assistant softball coach. She earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Mississippi and a master’s in sports analytics.
Tracee Thompson brings more than 21 years of experience in teaching, serving the majority of that time at Jim Hill High School in the roles of English teacher and curriculum supervisor. The Milken Educator Award recipient holds degrees from Florida Atlantic University and Jackson State University.
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