Miss Briley
Michelle Speights
Briley is the daughter of Melissa and Heath Speights of the Foxworth community.
She attends Woodlawn Church in Columbia.
Briley has attended Columbia Academy for 15 years. She is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, DECA, and Dusty Club. Briley was recently chosen as “Most Athletic,” a “Beauty,” and football maid at homecoming. She has been a member of the Columbia Academy cross country and track team for seven years and has served as team captain for three years. She is currently ranked number one in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) AAA in cross country. Briley is a four-time All-MAIS Cross Country runner. She holds school records in the two-mile and 5K for cross country. In track, Biley holds school records in the 800, 1500, and 1600 meter runs. She is the anchor leg on the record-holding 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams. Throughout her years of running, Briley has been part of three cross country state championship teams.
After graduation Briley will be attending Mississippi College on a scholarship to run cross country and track. While there, she plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy.
Briley is being escorted by her father, Heath Speights. Presenting her with flowers is Miss Ella Stewart, daughter of Elise and Ryan Stewart of Oakvale.
Miss Isabella
Renea Stringer
Isabella is the daughter of Steven and Tanna Stringer of Columbia.
She is an active member of Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, where she helps as assistant director, teacher of VBS, and is part of the church’s youth group.
Isabella currently attends Columbia Academy. In her fourteen years at CA, she has been an all-A and B honor roll student, earning the principal’s award each year. She was named Columbia Academy's “Most Courteous,” won the “Best Performer” medal at the Northeast Jones Show Choir Invitational, was chosen as a class representative, and received the “Heart of Show Choir Award” for ninth and tenth grades. Isabella participates in numerous extracurricular activities. She has been a part of show choir for five years, and participated in Student Government, Christian Performing Arts, Key Club, and was a DECA member in ninth and tenth grade. Isabella led Mu Alpha Theta as president and National Honor Society as treasurer.
After graduating, Isabella plans to attend Pearl River Community College to major in nursing. After Pearl River, she plans to continue her education at William Carey University to finish her nursing degree.
Isabella is being escorted by her father, Steven Stringer. Presenting her with flowers is Miss Eliza Ruth Watts. Eliza Ruth is the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Watts.
Miss Kennedy
Lane Thomas
Kennedy is the daughter of Drs. Thad and Jennifer Thomas of Columbia.
Her family now attends Church on Main.
A senior at Columbia Academy, Kennedy has maintained all A’s throughout her entire school career, as well as a 4.0 GPA. She was selected to represent Columbia Academy at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference before her junior year as an ambassador. Kennedy has served as the president of the Dusty Club of Columbia, president of CA’s National Honor Society, and vice president of her class during her senior year. She has also served as a class representative her junior year and assistant pledge mistress in the Dusty Club her sophomore year. Kennedy is involved in many clubs and organizations at CA, including Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, DECA, and Student Government. Kennedy was involved in show choir for four years and was a part of productions in multiple key roles. She was also a member of the CA junior varsity and varsity cheer squads. Kennedy is a crucial member of the CA Diamond Girls and has been for three years. She earned her spot on the ACT 25+ board with a score of 28.
After graduation, Kennedy plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She auditioned and was accepted into Belmont’s Theatre program where she will work toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre and performance. After school, Kennedy plans to pursue a creative career in film and music.
Kennedy is being escorted by her father, Dr. Thad Thomas. Presenting her with flowers is her cousin, Miss Annistyn Jean Ward. Annistyn is the daughter of Jon and Stacia Ward of Corinth.
Miss Keltey
Gracelyn Whaley
Keltey is the daughter of Heath and Meagan Whaley of the Kokomo community.
She is a member of Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church in Sumrall, where she enjoys singing in the choir.
Keltey has attended West Marion Schools since kindergarten and has earned multiple academic awards during her time there. She has been an honor roll student throughout high school and is a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. For the past two years, she has also been a dual enrollment student at Pearl River Community College.
Keltey has been a cheerleader for the Trojans for six years and was named a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) All-, cheerleader all four years of high school. She has also served as a Diamond Girl for the Trojan baseball team and has been a member of the tennis and soccer teams. She was chosen as football maid for the 2026 homecoming court.
After graduation, Keltey plans to attend Pearl River Community College to pursue a degree in dental hygiene, where she hopes to build a career helping others through compassionate dental care.
Keltey is being escorted by her father, Heath Whaley. Presenting her with flowers is Miss Serenity Dawn Hunter, daughter of Hope and Mitchell Hunter of Sandy Hook. Ren is a K-4 student at Woodlawn Prep.
