Desoto County News

Lake Cormorant grad earns Walter S. Bounds Scholarship for Excellence

Photo: (From left) Tyrone Chatman Jr. and DCS Supt. Cory Uselton (Courtesy photo)

July 31 – Lake Cormorant Class of 2024 graduate Tyrone Chatman Jr. has been awarded the prestigious Walter S. Bounds Scholarship of Excellence. He was selected from more than 116 applicants. Scholarship requirements are outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community service. 

Chatman finished first in his class and was the 2024 LCHS salutatorian. He graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and was in the high school marching band. 

The scholarship is in honor of the late educator, Walter S. Bounds, and is awarded by the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents along with the Alliance of Educational Leaders in Mississippi.

“To ensure that Mississippi has strong, capable leaders to guide us into the future, we must encourage and train those leaders today,” said Dr. Phil Burchfield, MASS executive director. “The Bounds Scholarship program celebrates students who not only demonstrate a clear commitment to excellence but also seek to be responsible leaders in their careers and communities.”

Chatman will attend Tuskegee University in Alabama. His parents are Jlahna Timberson Chatman and Tyrone Chatman.

The Bounds Scholarship for Excellence rewards top-performing students who excel in leadership, community service and extracurricular activities. Recipients also must meet academic requirements and be recommended by their superintendents.

This year’s scholarship winners are Nathan Andrews, Hancock High School; Caroline Batson, Stone High School; Jalynn Black, Ethel High School; Lillie Bradshaw, Morton High School; Katie Burge, Madison Central High School; Breelyn Cain, West Lauderdale High School; Tyrone Chatman, Lake Cormorant High School; Isabella Morlier, Pearl River Central High School; Lily Moss, Booneville High School; and Joy Roland, Natchez Early College.