Page 104 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2020

story by Lynn Lofton
photo courtesy of Payton McQuillan
Payton McQuillan is the 17-year-old son of Monica and Travis McQuillan of Saucier. A senior at Harrison Central High School, he will graduate with highest honors next month.
He’s been involved with many school activities and community service projects. “The activity that has meant the most to me is being involved in the Harrison County Career and Technical Center’s DECA chapter,” he said. “With being a part of DECA I have been able to serve on the Mississippi State Action team as the District V Coordinator. Also, I have been able to compete against others within the state and DECA members from other states and other countries.”
Payton’s school activities also include Student Council, Harrison Central Marching Band, DECA Fall Leadership Conference and New York Leadership Conference, National Technical Honor Society State Leadership Conference, and USM Southern Economic Entrepreneurship Symposium.
He’s received a number of honors including membership in National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and National Technical Honor Society.
Participating in community service is important to Payton, who lists Big Red Night to raise awareness and funding for Mississippi Memorial Breast Cancer Foundation, the canned food drive for local food banks and the toy drive for needy children among the most memorable.
“After high school, I’m going to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and study biological sciences with
a focus on pre-med courses to prepare myself to attend the University of South Alabama College of Medicine after graduating from USM,” he said. “With my current educational track, I plan to become a neurosurgeon.”
But everything hasn’t been about school, Payton
works part time at the Harrison County Development Commission and previously worked at Sweet Rolls where he learned to ‘roll’ a mean ice cream.
He also enjoys reading and watching movies; To Kill a Mockingbird is his favorite book and IT is his favorite movie.
104 | April 2020
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
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PRESENTED BY
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