By Debbie Burt Myers

Eleven Neshoba Central High School seniors were presented nearly $200,000 in scholarships Thursday night through the Dan Davis scholarship endowment. The awards program for the class of 2025 was in the gymnasium.

Davis, a longtime entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist, was Student Body president of the Neshoba Central Class of 1972.

He announced his $1 million scholarship endowment for selected graduates in 2022, marking his 50^th anniversary of graduating from the school he continues to hold dear to his heart.

At that time, Davis awarded scholarships up to $25,000 each to five seniors. Over the next two years, he funded 18 additional scholarships. 

This year’s recipients of up to $25,000 each in scholarships were:

• Tyler Fisher, the son of Cassandra Hagwood.
• Bethany Fortenberry, the daughter of William and Tanya Fortenberry.
• Paisley Lovern, the daughter of Randall and Twyla Lovern.
• Addisyn Clark, the daughter of Jordon Sanders and Chad Clark.
• Katelyn Sanders, the daughter of Matthew and Kenya Sanders.
• Jasmine Yarbrough, the daughter of Kandice Yarbrough.

Receiving a scholarship of up to $10,000 was:

• Dylan Spears, the son of Jay and Becky Spears.

Receiving scholarships valued up $8,333 each were:

• Jenna, Kaleb and Hayden Yandell, the triplet children of Bryan Yandell and April Long.

Receiving a scholarship of up to $5,000 was:

• Kelton Ulmer, the son of William and Kelly Ulmer.

Davis was joined at the program by his son Will, his sister, Denise Davis Manning and his mother, Nadine Oliver.

Neshoba County Superintendent of Education Josh Perkins expressed his gratitude for Davis’ generosity.

“Words can’t fully express how grateful we are to Mr. Davis for his extraordinary generosity and the love he’s shown to our students,” Perkins said.

“His selfless act is a powerful reminder of the good that exists in our community. He has not only made a meaningful difference in the lives of our children but has inspired all of us through his kindness. We are incredibly proud of him and deeply thankful for the lasting impact he’s made on our district.”  

Despite being a top student, Beta Club member and Student Body president in 1972, Davis said there were few scholarships offered when he was at Neshoba Central.

After graduation, he went to work at U. S. Electrical Motors where he built electrical motors from 2:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. six days a week so he could attend what was then East Central Junior College. He continued to work in college until he graduated from the University of Mississippi. 

Throughout his career he has worked for four U. S. presidents and on 239 political campaigns around the world. He’s represented 13 of the top 15 casino CEOs in the world. He is head of 19 companies spread across the world including the United States, China, Tanzania and India.

Today, his company has the number one Covid flu test in the world.

Davis has worked for President Ronald Reagan, President George H. W. Bush, President George H. Bush and President Bill Clinton. 

He also worked with a number of Congressmen and Senators along with the President of Mexico and Prime Ministers of Jamaica and Turkey, among others.

While he has been very successful, Davis told seniors that he grew up very poor in the House community.

“Unfortunately, life is not fair,” he said. “I am very proud of who I am and of my heritage and my times here in Neshoba County. I always want you to remember that life is not fair in a good way. If it were fair, I wouldn’t be where I am today. You can rise above anything that has been put in your way. I can assure you of that. My biggest failure in my life was the thing that made me who I am today.”

He thanked the superintendent and his staff for their wonderful job.

“They do a lot more than what most people think,” he said. “Prentice Copeland was my superintendent when I was at Neshoba Central. Without the help of a man like Prentice, this school would not be what it is today on so many levels.”

In announcing the scholarships, Davis said he hoped to give the students a chance to do the things they want to do.

“I hope I can give you a chance to go beyond those restrictions that life has put on you,” he said.

Davis said he personally read the essays the students wrote about their lives. He hopes to increase the number of scholarships next year.

After the program, Davis congratulated each of the scholarship recipients and wished them well.

He also met with Student Body President Marlee Washington.

“I had your job 53 years ago,” he said, congratulating her on her accomplishments.

Looking back at his high school years

Prior to the awards program, Davis talked about how his years at Neshoba Central helped shape the person he is today.

He grew up during the early days of school integration, from 1963 until his graduation in 1972, and witnessed some of the most painful moments of that transition.

In seventh grade, he saw young African American children walk into the school for the first time, hopeful and unaware of what they would face.

They were bullied by students and mistreated by some teachers, he said.

Over time, more black students were enrolled, and the school gradually became more integrated. But outside the classroom, the world remained dangerous and divided, he said.

This was Neshoba County, not long after the murder of three civil rights workers in 1964. In 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated, Davis said he heard cheers from fellow students when the news was announced over the school intercom.

Despite all that, today I see students of all backgrounds learning and laughing together, supporting one another in ways I never imagined back then, he said.

As Student Body President, Davis said his first job was to oversee the election process for class officers of each grade.

One of his toughest moments was when a teacher tried to block a black student, who had been fairly elected, from serving in office.  

Davis contacted superintendent Prentice Copeland, who made it clear the rules could not be changed based on race.

That decision prevented a riot and sent a clear message that every student has a voice, he said.

“Mistakes were made by others but the message was clear that there was hope for the future of integration and integrity,” Davis said.

Neshoba Central High School’s Class of 1972 Student Body President Dan Davis, right, meets Class of 2025 Student Body President Marlee Washington.