A fresh new voice!

First Financial Bank of Senatobia awarded its first Northwest Mississippi Community College scholarship to Jennifer Pearce of Horn Lake (second from left). According to David Mock, vice-president of First Financial Bank (left), the $1700 scholarship represents an investment by the bank in the future of northwest Mississippi. “I thought that I wanted to go straight from high school to a four-year college,” said Pearce. “After looking at Northwest, I realized that I could get a quality education at an affordable cost. Now, with this scholarship, I know it was a smart decision.” Pearce is a 2010 graduate of Horn Lake High School and plans to major in pre-pharmacy. On hand to congratulate Pearce were Dr. Gary Lee Spears, president of Northwest (third from left), and Jerry Barrett (right), of the bank’s board of directors. First Financial Bank, based in El Dorado, Ark., and established in 1934, has locations in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina. (Photo by Brittany Greer)