Youth Foundation
YOUTH FOUNDATION BOARD
2025-2026 Officers
- Chair Emma Kate Beckham, Prentiss
- Assistant Chair Isaiah Barbour, Lee
- Secretary Jamilyah Smith, Tippah
- Assistant Secretary Isabella Owens, Prentiss
- Treasurer Kamyra Hughes, Lowndes
- Assistant Treasurer Gabrielle Foote, Lee
- Historian Cherish Brown, Lee
- Assistant Historian Day Ivy, Clay
2024-25 Officers
- Chair: Dawson Barber, Itawamba
- Asst. Chair: Olivia Cross, Union
- Secretary: Alaa Rhouat, Lee
- Asst. Secretary: Meg Boatwright, Union
- Treasurer: Shaddai Galvez, Tippah
- Asst. Treasurer: Kamyra Hughes, Lowndes
- Historian: Yazmeen Alwaisi, Lee
- Asst. Historian: Ava May, Lafayette
ABOUT THE YOUTH FOUNDATION
Founded in 2001, the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation (NEMYF) brings together high school juniors and seniors from 17 counties across the region. Board members meet fellow students, develop leadership skills, learn and put into action fundraising techniques, identify needs in their local communities, and provide grants to nonprofits. NEMYF has an endowment fund that as of December 2025 is over $235,000, all of which was raised by board members!
During the fall semester, students focus on developing their own leadership and fundraising skills. They then work to set and reach a fundraising goal. In the spring semester, students identify nonprofits in their home counties, share information about the programs they provide, and vote to allocate grant funds. They also host a press conference to present these organizations with the funds and share an update on their endowment.
activities include:
- September kickoff meeting focused on learning about NEMYF and getting to know board members from across Northeast Mississippi
- October board retreat with focused on leadership development
- December holiday party and service project
- Fundraising for the NEMYF Endowment
- Identifying worthwhile nonprofits and voting to distribute grants in our region
- Having lots of fun while putting time and efforts towards an awesome organization!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The People's Bank
Galvez Painting and Remodeling, LLC | Lulu's, LLC | Washington Insurance | TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY (TVA)
Ann & Rodney Blackwell | B & B Concrete Company, Inc. | MSMS Foundation
The NEMYF board members would also like to thank the other 58 individuals and organizations who provided funding for the 2023-2024SY. Overall, the 23-24SY NEMYF board raised $8,453.
Grants AWARDED IN 2025
Alcorn
The Lighthouse Foundation
Grant Amount – $517
“The vision of The Lighthouse Foundation is to reach our community through the power of the cross.”
benton
Matthew 25 Food Pantry
Grant Amount – $517
“The Calhoun Food Pantry serves 400-450 families a month in a county where 20% of the population is food insecure and/or elderly and families with children.”
Chickasaw & Lee
CATCH Kids, Inc.
Grant Amount – $775
“C.A.T.C.H. Kids, Inc. provides free health care to children from birth to age 18 (Tupelo,
Pontotoc, and Houston).”
Itawamba
Crossroads Ranch
Grant Amount – $517
“Crossroads Ranch provides high functioning, special needs adults a safe, loving environment with supervised independence. Our goal is to provide activities and learning experiences which will focus on each resident’s abilities, rather than disabilities.”
Lafayette
CASA of North Mississippi
Grant Amount – $517
“CASA of North Mississippi advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children through the service of trained, court-appointed community volunteers.”
Lee
The Shine Foundation
Grant Amount – $258
“The Shine Foundation creates a variety of opportunities for all individuals to let their light shine. The goal is to let individuals with disabilities feel seen, supported, and valued in our community.”
Lowndes
Boys and Girls Club Golden Triangle
Grant Amount – $517
“To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”
Marshall
Hearts and Hands Ministry
Grant Amount – $517
“Our mission is to help the needy through God.”
Monroe
Regional Rehabilitation Center
Grant Amount – $205
“Quite simply to restore and enhance the quality of life of North Mississippians with disabling conditions through rehabilitation services characterized by quality care and personal attention.”
Pontotoc
Churches United Food Depot
Grant Amount – $517
Prentiss
Beds for Kids [Mt. Olive Baptist Church]
Grant Amount – $517
“Beds for Kids provides beds, sheets, etc. for kids in need.”
Tippah
Good Samaritan Food Pantry
Grant Amount – $517
Tishomingo
Junior Auxiliary of Tishomingo County
Grant Amount – $517
Union
Junior Auxiliary of New Albany
Grant Amount – $517
NEMYF BOARD MEMBERS 2024-2025
Alcorn
Lucy Smith
John Stanley
India Gardner
Brenyn Wilbanks
Sarah Curtis
Benton
Tripp Pipkin III
Mckenley Moffitt
Calhoun
No current members
Chickasaw
Ella Martin
Emma Langston
Ella Cate Alford
Dixie Ellison
Alyssa Sitthiprasert
Clay
No Current Members
Itawamba
Cade Nail
Dawson Barber
Lafayette
Ava May
Grant Young
Lee
Alonna Snyder
Walker Russell
Walker Tate
Alaa Rhouat
Yazmeen Alwaisi
Gauge DeVaughn
Jaylynn Green
Juliana Hagan
Keira Ikemori
Bradison Ivy
Olivia Cochran
Gracie Pittman
Analynn Keith
Mary Frances Osbirn
Erika Griggs
Jake Ramsey
Lowndes
Cassie Carter
Kamyra Hughes
Kimberlyn White
Tiya Ahmed
Lucas Sloan
Marshall
Dustin Hopkins
Sydney Person
Monroe
Elizabeth Crandall
Oktibbeha
Evelyn Fuller
Pontotoc
Luke Blanchard
Jalynn Ward
Mallie Maffett
Adalyn Vandiver
Mary Margaret Deaton
Lennon Whitehead
Kyleigh Conner
Zach Todd
Prentiss
Ella Davis
Allie Thompson
Brookelyn Roberts
Caitlynn Whitley
Emma Kate Beckham
Justin Austin
Tippah
Gavin Wooley
Shaddai Galvez
Cayden Reed
Tishomingo
Elle Rhodes
Abigail Robinson
Union
Meg Boatwright
Olivia Cross
Drew Mink
Donald Starks
Landry Kent
Jaxxon Harrleson
