MPRINT: Path to teaching certification aided by new gift

MERIDIAN, Miss. — The Bebe Freeman PANTA Teacher’s Assistant Annual Scholarship, funded by Harry Freeman (‘66) in memory of his wife, will aid public school teachers’ assistants pursuing an education degree.

MSU-Meridian’s Professional Advancement Network for Teachers and Administrators, or PANTA, provides a pathway for teachers’ assistants to earn their degrees and become certified to teach. Freeman’s generosity funds educational expenses that remain after financial aid has been exhausted for five students per year. Initially, he had intended to fund the scholarship for a five-year term. The frank and candid gratitude expressed in a letter from one of its recipients inspired him to make it permanent.

“Most of these students are working full-time jobs, are full-time students, have multiple children and are taking care of families,” said Kristi Swift, director of development for the College of Education and MSU Libraries.

The first class of scholarship recipients, awarded this year, are Victoria Pigg, of Carthage, Ashlyn Armstrong, of Kosciusko, Heather Martin, of Little Rock (in Newton County, Miss.), Lexie Usry, from Decatur, and Charleigh Kakales, of Bruce, all students in education.

For Pigg, the Freeman scholarship was the deciding factor in whether she could continue her education. She is a teacher’s assistant at Leake Central Elementary School, and the scholarship has allowed her to go on in pursuit of her dreams. After her other financial aid was exhausted, the scholarship covered the balance of her tuition and books — expenses she would not have been able to otherwise afford.

“When you go into education, you don’t go into it for the money,” she said. “I knew teaching was what I wanted to do. I did not have a lot of financial aid, and I was really concerned about how I would pay for my degree. Taking that load off me has meant more than Harry Freeman will ever know. It made a difference in my stress level, my being able to finish school and my becoming the best teacher I can be.”

Both Harry and Bebe were Meridian High School graduates. They each pursued higher education and credit it with facilitating much of the opportunity they went on to enjoy in life. There, in many cases, rewards and challenges were one and the same.

“Bebe was organized and dedicated in her 30 years as a teacher,” Harry said. “She believed passionately in the value of opportunity. She would be thrilled to know her name is on a scholarship that helps students achieve an education degree and enjoy its benefits while contributing to the betterment of Mississippi.”

Bebe was a True Maroon Bulldog. Hail State.