Rankin1220web

What accomplishments make you
proud during your time living in
Flowood?
Probably the greatest accomplishment
we each could claim is that we are blessed
to do something every day that makes a
difference in people’s lives. Stacey works as
the lead radiation therapist at the Cancer
Center at Baptist Hospital. And though he
treats patients who are suffering from
cancer, his goal is to make each person feel
better, not only physically, but emotionally,
as well. Just a smile, a conversation, a
prayer makes such a difference in someone’s
day.
For me, I’ve been blessed to work with
students and faculty in K-12/college for the
past 23 years, and I’ve made so many great
relationships with children and families in
Rankin County and beyond. As the
former chair of the Millsaps College
Principals’ Institute, I was privileged to
work with an exemplary group of people
to help provide relevant, meaningful
professional development for school
administrators in Mississippi. Additionally,
my time teaching at Belhaven University
was so fulfilling in helping people to grow
as they pursued their goals of going back
to school for a bachelor’s degree. I taught
students who had just graduated high
school to those in retirement who just
wanted to earn their degrees and say they
were finally college graduates. Now, I’m so
blessed to be at Hartfield Academy where
I not only help students to grow academically,
but I also get to share my faith with
them every day. Being able to pray with
students and help them to grow in their
own walk with Christ is one of the most
fulfilling parts of what I do. Furthermore,
I decided to pursue my own health journey
last year, and after losing 50 pounds and
getting my own health in line, I now coach
other people just like me who are in the
pursuit of optimal health.
What drives you to have the job that
you have?
For Stacey, I love to sing his praises
because he is one of the most selfless
people I have ever known. I can attest to
the fact that he has such a giving heart,
and he finds immense joy in life from
helping others.
For me, I love that God has charged
me with helping our students to grow
academically and spiritually. Seeing that
light bulb moment occur for a child and
witnessing their pursuit of God are the
most rewarding experiences—knowing
that we can have an eternal influence upon
another person’s life.
I also work as a nutrition-based health
coach, helping people not only lose weight
but also improve their quality of life–
from people in their 20s to their 70s.
Seeing people improve the quality of their
daily life drives me to keep helping people
get healthy. I’m always thankful and
blessed when I check in and talk with
clients who share their struggles and
victories for the week. I heard someone
speak truth recently, saying that when we
have an unhealthy diet in our 20s, 30s, and
40s, we simply put on weight. But, when
we continue to eat that way in our 40s,
50s, and 60s, that unhealthy weight turns
into ailments, so getting our nutrition in
line and developing healthy habits are
keys to making long-term changes in our
health. Above all, it’s still a vehicle for
sharing my faith, as well. It is such a great
privilege to pray with a client because it
blesses me so much more than that person
could ever know.
Questions for Thorn
What’s your favorite thing to do
as a family?
“My favorite thing to do is go on
vacation. Corona has definitely put a
damper on that.”
What your favorite restaurant?
“I love Raising Cane’s Chicken, and my
favorite place to go eat with my family is
Amerigo. The chicken and the brownie
are awesome.”
What’s your favorite TV show?
The Mandalorian
Hometown RANKIN • 21