TAPP RECOGNIZED BY PTK AT NEMCC-- Mark Tapp (center), branch manager of Farmers and Merchants Bank in Booneville was recently presented a certificate of recognition by Barbara Shackelford (l), adviser of Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Iota Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, and executive director of the Northeast Development Foundation Patrick Eaton for the bank’s sponsorship of the 2007 All-Mississippi Academic Team, which recognizes the scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in community, technical and junior colleges across the state of Mississippi. Phi Theta Kappa administers the All-State and All-USA Academic Team Programs from its Jackson, Mississippi-based headquarters. The First All-State Academic Team Program was launched in l994 in Mississippi. This year, 34 states sponsored All-State Academic Team programs using the All-Mississippi program as a model. In Mississippi program sponsors include BancorpSouth, BankPlus, BellSouth, Booneville Rotary Club, Catfish Farmers of Mississippi, The Clarion Ledger, Coast Electric Power Association, Delta and Pine Land Co., Entergy, Farmers and Merchants Bank, General Dynamics Corporation, Hederman Brothers Printing, Johnson Controls, Magnolia State School Products, Mississippi Valley Gas, National Awards, Nixon and Burt Insurance Agency, Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Development Foundation, Dr. R. S. Runnells and Medical and Surgical Clinic, Inc., Sodexho Marriott Services, Tecumseh Products Company, Trustmark, Valley Services, Inc.and Willmut Gas. Fifty Mississippi community and junior college students were selected t this year’s team and were recognized by the Mississippi Legislature at a luncheon in Jackson March 21. Students named to the All-Mississippi First Team compete for placement on the national All-USA Academic Team for Community and Junior Colleges, sponsored by USA TODAY, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges.