PEARL ― William Thigpen, a carpentry student at Hinds Community College in Vicksburg, has been named the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation student of the month for the state’s central region.

In a release from the MCEF, Thigpen reportedly has the highest grade point average in his class as well as the school’s best score on the National Center for Construction Education and Research test.

Thigpen is a member of the National Honors Society at Warren Central High School, he is also a manager for the football team and is a standout on the bowling, powerlifting and archery teams. He also enjoys serving as a volunteer with the YMCA day camp.

Thigpen plans to pursue certifications in carpentry and electrical technology along with an associate degree in business.

“We congratulate William for earning student of the month honors and for being an excellent representative of high school career tech programs in Mississippi,” Mike Barkett, MCEF president, said. “We’re proud of our students of the month for helping ensure our state has a highly-skilled workforce to support the state’s growing construction and manufacturing industries.”

Students of the month are selected from MCEF’s three districts based on grades, attendance, discipline in class, outstanding achievements, leadership abilities, and post-graduation plans. All compete for student of the year honors at the foundation’s annual awards program next May.

MCEF is a non-profit educational foundation that provides NCCER craft training and credentialing in more than 100 career and technical programs across the state. The foundation’s mission is to train individuals for the construction and manufacturing industries in Mississippi.