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Serving Columbus & Starkville, Mississippi        (https://cdstg1922.wpenginepowered.com/) Home  » (https://cdstg1922.wpenginepowered.com/news/) News  » Education briefs for 10-15-26   (https://cdispatch.com/news/area/) Area   Education briefs for 10-15-26 By Special to The Dispatch • 14 hours ago  • 2 mins to read     Local students named to Phi Kappa Phi BATON ROUGE, La. – Jacqueline Randle, of Artesia, and Anna Mattox, of Starkville, were both recently elected to membership into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at Mississippi State University. The students are among about 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. Armstrong principal tapped for MDOC position STARKVILLE – Principal Randy Grierson has left Armstrong Junior High after accepting a new role as education program administrator for the Mississippi Department of Corrections. “For 3 1/4 years, I’ve loved every moment at Armstrong and the 1,400 kids and 73 staff members I’ve had the opportunity to service,” Grierson wrote in a message sent to parents Monday. “I truly have a love for every student at Armstrong and always will.” Haley Montgomery, communications director for Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, confirmed Grierson’s last day was Monday. Assistant Principal Kristie Williams will be stepping into the position temporarily until the district starts the hiring process for a new principal early next year, Montgomery said. 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