Page 93 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2026

Compiled by Cherie Ward
Hayden Ainsworth
Daley Johnson
p
hoto courtesy of Hayden Ainsworth
In just three years at Biloxi High School, Hayden Ainsworth has built a resume that reflects both discipline and drive. A 4.0 student throughout his academic career,
he is a member
of the National Honor Society and serves as president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His academic performance— including standout
grades and ACT scores—allowed him to skip an entire year of high school to pursue his goal of playing Division I college football.
In June, Hayden will enroll at the University of Nebraska on a full athletic scholarship, choosing the Cornhuskers from more than 24 scholarship offers. On the field, he has earned both all-district and all-state honors, distinguishing himself as one of the top competitors in his class.
Despite the demands of elite athletics, Hayden never allowed football to overshadow his commitment to academics. Instead, the structure and accountability of balancing both strengthened his focus in the classroom.
Looking ahead, he plans to study aerospace engineering while continuing his pursuit of football at the highest level. With clear goals and a strong work ethic, Hayden has made the most of every opportunity placed before him—proving that success in the classroom and on the field can go hand in hand.
Daley Johnson, a senior at Long Beach High School, is
the kind of student who leads with both excellence and heart. A member of the LBHS Hall of Fame, All-A Honor Roll,
and Superintendent’s List, she has also earned recognition as a Topical Winner for the American High School Poets Society— proof that her talents stretch well beyond the classroom.
photo courtesy of Daley Johnson
Daley serves as head color guard captain and is also a captain on The Dance Company’s competition team. This season, without a director for color guard, she stepped up and guided her team with confidence and determination, helping them succeed.
Her involvement across campus is just as impressive. She is active in the National Honor Society, Peer Mediation, Co-Op, Band Council, and serves as Vice President of the LBHS Political Club. Daley also earned a place in the Mississippi Lions All-State Band all four years as a dancer and holds first chair this year. She is also the first-chair concert bassoonist in her high school band.
Beyond her accomplishments, Daley is known as a compassionate friend and volunteer, serving at Night to Shine, Red Cross blood drives, student mentoring programs, food drives, and community cleanups—always leading by example.
Presented By:
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net April 2026 | 93