Jackson Jambalaya

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following press release:

JACKSON, Miss. – Sissy Lynn, a mother of two children in the Madison County School District, was named the 2015 Mississippi Parent of the Year.

Lynn, a Congressional District 2 finalist, was nominated the school district, and she has been actively involved at Highland Elementary School. She has been named Ann Smith Elementary Parent of the Year twice (2011 and 2014) and is the 2015 Highland Elementary Parent of the Year. Lynn and her husband Randy were named 2014 City Makers of the Year, the City of Ridgeland’s top award, for their service and dedication to Ridgeland’s public schools.

Lynn has served in various PTO Board positions over the past several years including vice president of public relations for two years at Ann Smith Elementary, executive vice president at Ann Smith for one year and vice president of public relations at Highland Elementary for two years. She is passionate about spreading positive publicity about Ridgeland’s public schools. She is currently serving as president of a volunteer public relations committee for the entire Ridgeland zone of Madison County Schools.

Research has repeatedly shown that parental involvement is a critical factor determining the academic success of students. As part of the annual Parent of the Year program, the Mississippi Department of Education asks each district to select an outstanding parent who has made a significant impact on school improvement efforts in the school district.

A committee of educators reviewed numerous applications submitted by the school districts. As a result, the committee selects a Parent of the Year from each congressional district, and from those four names, the 2015 State Parent of the Year.


The Congressional District 1 finalist is Kate Farabaugh, who was nominated by Tupelo Public School District for her commitment to supporting public education. She has three children (9th & 11th grade) who attend Tupelo High School.

The Congressional District 3 finalist is Meci Beason, who was nominated by the Neshoba County Schools for her keen sense of student needs and community relations. She has two children (1st & 3rd grade) who attend Neshoba County Elementary School.

The Congressional District 4 finalist is Diane Young, who was nominated by Ocean Springs School District for her unwavering support of school and district functions. She has a 3rd grade son at Magnolia Park Elementary.