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<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Rankin</strong><br />
Reader<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
Jamie<br />
Higdon<br />
Why did you decide to make <strong>Rankin</strong> County<br />
your home?<br />
My husband and I have always lived in <strong>Rankin</strong><br />
County and we chose to stay because of the quality<br />
of life the area offers and the excellent school<br />
system. We can’t imagine living anywhere else.<br />
How long have you lived in <strong>Rankin</strong> County?<br />
I was born and raised in Richland and now live<br />
in Florence. Scott and I are both graduates of<br />
Richland High School.<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
We have been married for 17 years and have two<br />
daughters, Sydney and Karlie. Sydney is a 4th<br />
grader at Florence Elementary and Karlie is in first<br />
grade at Steen’s Creek Elementary where I serve<br />
on the PTO Board. We are actively involved in<br />
various ministries at First Baptist Richland. Scott is<br />
a deacon, teaches an adult Sunday school class,<br />
and sings in the choir. I volunteer in our children’s<br />
ministry and have served on various committees.<br />
Scott just celebrated 20 years at Hudspeth<br />
Regional Center where he is the director of<br />
information systems. I have worked for TempStaff<br />
for 16 years where I am the vice president of<br />
operations.<br />
What is your favorite memory of living in<br />
<strong>Rankin</strong> County?<br />
Growing up, life always seemed to center around<br />
church and school activities. Having been a<br />
cheerleader and in the band, Friday night football<br />
games were a highlight of the week. The friendships<br />
made then are still important relationships<br />
I have now.<br />
Where are your three favorite places to<br />
eat in <strong>Rankin</strong> County?<br />
There are so many to choose from, but you will<br />
often find us at Jerry’s Fish House in Florence,<br />
El Ranchito in Richland, or Heart & Soul in<br />
Brandon.<br />
What are some fun things to do in <strong>Rankin</strong><br />
County on weekends?<br />
We enjoy shopping at Dogwood or the outlet mall.<br />
After a busy week of school, work, dance practice<br />
and other school activities, we often just hang out<br />
with family and friends with a cookout or pool party.<br />
Sundays are always for worship and fellowship at<br />
FBC Richland.<br />
Share some things you enjoy doing in your<br />
spare time.<br />
We love cheering on the MSU Bulldogs, whether<br />
it’s a football, baseball or basketball game. Spring<br />
break you will often find us snow skiing. In the<br />
summers, we love going to the beach or spending<br />
time at the pool.<br />
What are three things on your bucket list?<br />
I love to travel and will check Ireland off the list in<br />
<strong>October</strong> with a family trip. Australia, London and<br />
Paris are also on the list.<br />
Who is someone you admire and why?<br />
My parents have taught me about the value of hard<br />
work and perseverance. They’ve instilled in me<br />
the importance of setting priorities: God is always<br />
first, family second, and then work and service to<br />
our community. Not only do I live next door to my<br />
parents, but I also work with my mom at TempStaff.<br />
I’ve had the amazing privilege to learn from one of<br />
the best on how to grow a successful business.<br />
I also admire my friend Jill Dale. We became quick<br />
friends our freshman year at Mississippi College.<br />
Last year, her son Campbell lost his battle with<br />
cancer. She is an amazing woman who has had<br />
remarkable faith through such adversity. She is now<br />
helping others through the Campbell Bulldog Fund<br />
and www.goinggoldformskids.com by raising<br />
awareness and funds to find a cure to childhood<br />
cancer.<br />
Where do you see yourself ten years<br />
from now?<br />
We will have both a high school and college student<br />
in ten years. Life will be busy!<br />
What is your favorite childhood memory?<br />
Much of my extended family lives in the Richland<br />
and Florence areas. Family events have always been<br />
a fun way to keep us all connected. As a child,<br />
Christmas Eve with my dad’s family includes about<br />
50 people and lots of home cooking. It is much the<br />
same when we gather with my mom’s side of the<br />
family on Christmas day. As a child, I remember<br />
the mounds of presents and endless laughter as we<br />
celebrated Christmas.<br />
If you could give us one encouraging<br />
quote, what would it be?<br />
Find your passion. I was with a group from the<br />
<strong>Rankin</strong> Chamber the other day and we were<br />
discussing our passions and what would happen if<br />
we gave just 5% more. <strong>Rankin</strong> County, our state,<br />
and our country would become even greater if we<br />
all would find our passions and dedicate ourselves<br />
to them.<br />
What is your favorite thing about<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> Magazines?<br />
<strong>Rankin</strong> County is a great place to live and work.<br />
While we have so much negative in the world,<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> Magazines showcase the positive and<br />
allow us to celebrate the successes of our<br />
communities. n<br />
<strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Rankin</strong> • 67
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