Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2026

COAST NOTE
Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA 2026
Humanitarian Award Winner
Clay Williams
story by Lynn Lofton
photo courtesy of Clay Williams
Clay Williams of Ocean Springs was named the recipient of
the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA’s 2026 Humanitarian Award
for his professional and civic endeavors. He will be honored at
a luncheon on November 12 at the Beau Rivage. Lunch and
program begin at 11:30 a.m.
As the executive director of Gulfport-Biloxi International
Airport his principal areas of focus include expansion of air
service, new business development and continued funding of
essential capital improvement projects.
Williams received his undergraduate degree from Mississippi
State University and his Master’s from Harvard University.
His current involvement includes serving as President of the
Mississippi Airports Association Board; American Association
of Airport Executives Certified Member; Gulf Coast Business
Council; MSU Department of Communication Advisory Board;
Mississippi Tourism Association Marketing Advisory Board;
Gulfport Rotary Club; and St. Paul Church Volunteer.
Previously, Williams served as President of the Mississippi
Gulf Coast YMCA Board and Co-Chaired the Ocean Springs
School District Bond Issue Steering Committee. He served on
various committees for the Governor’s Commission on Recovery,
Rebuilding and Renewal following Hurricane Katrina. He was
an inaugural member of Coast Young Professionals.
He has also served on the St. Vincent de Paul Community
Pharmacy Advisory Board, Gulfport Chamber of Commerce
Board, Knight Non-Profit Center Board, Jackson County
Chamber of Commerce Board and Coastal Mississippi DMO
Advisory Board.
22 | November 2026 Feeling the
Ocean Springs
Dancer
Catherine Ridgway
Named
National Junior
Dancer of
the Year
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
photo courtesy of Brittany Ridgway
At just 12 years old, Ocean Springs dancer
Catherine Ridgway has earned a prestigious
national title, being named the HEAT National
Junior Dancer of the Year at the 2026 HEAT
National Finals in Orlando, Florida.
After advancing as a Top 3 finalist, Ridgway
was named the National Junior Eternal Flame,
recognizing her performance, versatility, artistry,
and dedication to dance. She trains at Donna’s
Visual and Performing Arts Centre in Ocean
Springs as a student and DKG company member,
while also performing with the Teen HEAT Force
Company and Ocean Springs Middle School dance
team.
Ridgway’s national recognition includes a full
scholarship opportunity for continued dance
education, including training at the Joffrey Ballet
School in New York City in summer 2027. She
will also travel with the HEAT Convention and
Competition national tour, beginning in San Diego
in November.
Beyond the studio, Ridgway is a seventh-grade
student at Ocean Springs Middle School, where
she earns all A’s and was recognized for having
the school’s Highest English Language Arts
(ELA) Average. This year, she looks forward to
representing HEAT while continuing to train,
compete, and pursue her passion for dance.
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