Prentis M. McDonald, national director of the Mississippi Council of the Navy League, recognized Yeoman Seaman Forrest R. Jones as NTTC Meridian's 4th Stennis Center of Excellence Award Winner, on June 6.

The Stennis Center of Excellence Program was founded in collaboration with the Mississippi Council of the Navy League to recognize Sailors of all rates who have demonstrated outstanding scholastic aptitude and military performance.

To earn this premier honor, graduates must have the top 1 or 2 grade point average (GPA) when compared with all graduates in the past 12 months, and additionally participate in two community service projects within the surrounding Meridian area. The Mississippi Council of the Navy League sponsors the Stennis Center of Excellence award and presents a plaque to recognize outstanding student's achievements.

Jones graduated the Yeoman "A" School with a 99.0 percent grade point average, making him the number 2 of 437 Yeoman students within the last 12 months. Additionally, he completed 21 hours of community relations volunteer service while stationed at NTTC Meridian.

Seaman Jones graduated from Carl Junction High School located in Carl Junction, Missouri, and attended Evangel University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He also attended Forest Institute graduating with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with Specializations in Human Sexuality, and Research/Psychometrics.

Seaman Jones will be reporting to the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88, homeported in San Diego, California for his first fleet assignment.

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