Teachers, administrators and support staff from across the Vicksburg Warren School District filled the Vicksburg Convention Center Thursday morning for the district's annual Convocation, a one-and-a-half-hour celebration that opened the 2026â27 school year with drumlines, a student-led roll call and a charge to district educators to "set the world on fire."
The program was student-driven from the first note. Drumlines from Warren Central High School, under the direction of Jeremy Donald, and Vicksburg High School, under Brandon Dorsey, opened the morning alongside the cheerleaders and dance teams. Five district seniors served as emcees: Xaria Williams and Annie Tucker of River City Early College, Diamond Jackson and Rianna Ringo of Vicksburg High School, and Megan Emerson of Warren Central High School.
"Good morning, Vicksburg Warren School District," Williams told the crowd as the program began. "We are so excited to kick off this school year with every single one of you."
The Vicksburg High School JROTC Color Guard, under the direction of Master Sgt. James Shinard, presented the colors. Callen Adcox, Kayla Geary and Jarek Sherwin led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Warren Central Madrigals performed the national anthem under the direction of Harlan Mapp.
One of the morning's loudest moments came at the Parade of Schools, a call-and-response roll call in which Ringo and Tucker named every school in the district. As each staff section rose and cheered. The emcees also called out the district's Transportation and Child Nutrition departments, custodial staff, and school secretaries and central office personnel.
"We have to show some love for the people who keep this district runnning every single day," Ringo told the crowd.
District leaders recognized elected officials and community guests including Mayor Willis Thompson, Alderman TJ Mayfield, Supervisor William Banks, and Chris Rials, Chamber and Corporate Programs Director, Alderwoman Vickie Baily, Vicksburg Fire Chief Trey Martin, Sheriff Martin Pace and Vicksburg Police Chief Larry Burns. Barbie Ferguson, deputy director of Mississippi Professional Educators, addressed attendees about the organization's work with educators statewide.
The VWSD Board of Trustees was also recognized: Bryan Pratt of District 1, board vice-president; Alonzo Stevens of District 2, board secretary; James Stirgus of District 3, board president; Linda Patterson of District 4; and Joe Lovia of District 5. Stirgus offered a brief welcome to the district team.
Representatives from Ergon Refining, Inc. and Entergy Mississippi were welcomed to the stage during a community partner spotlight for a back-to-school supply donation highlight. Each organization picked two schools to award funds and school supplies, with Vicksburg High School and Warren Central High School being named award recipients for Entergy Mississippi and Redwood Elementary School and South Park Elementary School being named award recipients for Ergon Refining. Maribel Melo, director of HR, and Dr. Charley Brown represented Ergon Refining, Inc.; Lee Johns and Allen Lyons represented Entergy Mississippi.
"When Allen and I were invited to come here and present to the school district, we didn't know what to expect," said Lee Johns, project manager at Entergy MS, responsible for the Vicksburg Advanced Power Station being built in the community. "We're here to celebrate you. Why are we celebrating you? Because of the passion, the influence, the trust and most importantly, the love that you give to our students."
Fifth-generation Vicksburg Warren County resident and VWSD alum Allen Lyons had this to say: "I'm a resident of Vicksburg and I am the new plant manager of the new plant we're building down south. You all don't know it but you're raising up generations that are going to work at Entergy. Keep up the good work. I'm so thankful to be able to give back."
Dr. Charley Brown of Ergon Refining, Inc., said, "We've been so honored to partner with you guys and to support and empower not just our teachers but our youth as well. So, with this gift, we want to support the classroom but the teachers as well."
Between segments, a student entertainment revue narrated by Dr. Magee and Mr. Green worked through the familiar cast of characters in any classroom set to numbers including "Footloose," "Happy Together," "For Good" and "We're All in This Together."
Dr. Keba Laird closed the program with the district's annual declarations, asking educators to recall the moment they chose the profession.
"Before your first classroom, before your first student, there was a single moment when you chose this path, when you decided to give your time, your energy, your creativity, and your heart to others," Laird said. "That was a courageous choice, one that asked more of you than you could have ever known at the time, and we thank you for it."
Laird closed with a charge to the district's staff: "Get out there and set the world on fire in the hearts and minds of the students you teach each and every day of the 2026â27 school year."
The morning ended with a performance of "Set the World on Fire" by for KING & COUNTRY, accompanied by a video showcase of student artwork, as staff headed back to campuses for open house preparations.
Students return to VWSD classrooms on July 31, 2026.
