Community News

Rep. Broomfield Visits Tribe From left to right: Rep. Broomfield, his wife Vera, and Mrs. Broomfield’s sister Shirley Chambers, pose with Ricky Mingo in front of the OTC’s float that was entered into the 2009 CCHS Homecoming Parade in October. State Representative Billy Broomfield, his wife Vera, and Mrs. Broomfield’s sister Shirley Dubose Chambers, visited the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on October 8, 2009. Mr. Broomfield represents District 110 – Jackson County. He and his group visited the Tribe to see firsthand what the Tribe has to offer. They toured the facilities at the Elderly Activity Center and the Occupational Training Center. They had lunch at the Occupational Training Center and saw the float that was entered into the CCHS Homecoming Parade the following day. Before they left, they took a picture with Ricky Mingo, one of the float’s builders. Ricky Mingo is a senior at CCHS and is enrolled in the course Building Trades II at the OTC. All three guests enjoyed their visit, and Mrs. Broomfield planned on getting together a group of people to visit the Tribe.

MDA-Tourism Group Visits Tribe From center left to center right: John Hendrix of MBCI Economic Development, Terry Watkins of Pearl River Resort, Cheriena Ben of Applied Geo Technologies, Inc., and Fred Willis of MBCI Public Information take a picture with staff members from the Mississippi Welcome Centers. On Thursday, October 22, 2009, staff members from all of the Welcome Centers in Mississippi visited the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. They wanted to learn about the Tribe in order to encourage visitors to Mississippi to visit the Tribe. They stayed at the Silver Star Hotel and Casino and had breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn. They met with John Hendrix of MBCI Economic Development, Terry Watkins of Pearl River Resort, and Cheriena Ben at Applied Geo Technologies, Inc. They also went on a drive-about tour of the Reservation, with Fred Willis of MBCI Public Information serving as the tour guide. After the tour, they stopped at the Museum and saw bead work, basket weaving, and dress making demonstrations. The group was excited to learn about the Tribe, and they wanted to showcase Choctaw culture at all of the Welcome Centers. Special thanks to all of the individuals who made the group feel at home here in Choctaw!

Tucker Students View Pearl River Resort Limousine Shaun Seales of the Resort’s Transportation Department, Tucker School Principal Brooke Sibley, TAG/CAAP lead instructor Frankie Germany, and TAG/CAAP instructor Donna Anthony pose with the Tucker TAG/CAAP students in front of the Resort limousine. On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, students from Tucker Elementary School’s Talented and Gifted (TAG) and Creative and Academically Advanced Placement (CAAP) programs were given the opportunity to take a look at the exterior and interior of a limousine. Shaun Seales, Transportation Manager for Pearl River Resort, brought a Resort limo to Tucker Elementary School. The students want to learn more about limousines because they are working on a robotized limousine as their project for the FIRST LEGO League Tournament. After a question-and-answer session with Mr. Seales, the students viewed the interior of the limousine. The students really enjoyed the presentation. Special thanks to Mr. Seales, MBCI Public Information Director Wilma Simpson, and Tucker school officials for arranging the presentation. On Saturday, November 21, 2009, students from all of the Tribal schools will compete in the 8th Annual Choctaw Tribal Schools’ FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Tournament, which will be held at Pearl River Elementary School. The winner will then go on to compete at the Mississippi State FLL Championship on December 5, 2009. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians stands behind all the students and is proud of them for their enthusiasm and creativity on these projects. We wish you the best! All photos credited to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians unless otherwise indicated.