New UM Croft Scholars are (l-r) Anastasia Varenita of Hazelhurst, Jackie Boyce of Oxford, Tori Thoman of Chesterfield, Mo., Michael Anderson of McComb, Sarah Woods of Ridgeland, Charles Woods of Madison, Sean Ray of Southaven, Isaac Lichlyter of Alabaster, Ala., Arlissa Sneed of Pontotoc and Lexi Thoman of Chesterfield, Mo.

The scholars each receive $32,000 for four years of undergraduate study with a major in international studies. The Croft Institute was created in 1997 through a $60 million gift by the Joseph E. Bancroft Charitable and Educational Fund and ensures that students are prepared for leadership in business, public service, education and other fields with a deeper knowledge of an increasingly interdependent world.

"This year's crop is an amazingly bright group of students," said Director Kees Gispen. "Every year I marvel at the depth of talent and promise of Croft's entering cohort. This was another banner year - students with grades and test scores that rival those at the top universities in the nation.

"Some of these young Croft scholars already are accomplished speakers of Spanish or French even before they enter the program. Others have tested out of required classes, such as calculus and English, and can go straight into second-year courses at Croft, such as economics and political science."

The new Croft Scholars are Michael David Anderson of McComb, Jacqueline Grace "Jackie" Boyce of Oxford, Isaac Alan Lichlyter of Alabaster, Ala., Timothy "Sean" Ray of Southaven, Arlissa Nicole Sneed of Pontotoc, twin sisters Alexandria Marie "Lexi" Thoman and Victoria Leigh "Tori" Thoman of Chesterfield, Mo., Anastasia Artiom Varenita of Hazelhurst, Charles Scott Woods of Madison and Sarah Katherine Woods of Ridgeland.

To complement their international studies major, Croft Scholars choose a regional concentration and foreign language. Choices for the new cohort are Spanish for Lexi Thoman, Varenita, Charles Woods and Sarah Woods; Russian for Lichlyter and Ray; German and Russian for Boyce; French for Sneed; and German for Anderson. Tori Thoman is studying in UM's Flagship Chinese Program, the only college-level Chinese program in the state. Also, Anderson and Ray have declared public policy leadership as a second major.

Croft Scholars who are also members of UM's Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College include Boyce, Ray, Lexi Thoman, Tori Thoman, Varenita, Charles Scott Woods and Sara Katherine Woods. Anderson, Lichlyter, and Sneed are considering joining the Honors College next year.

Anderson graduated from McComb High School, where he ranked seventh in his class of 174. He was named a Leadership Conference Scholar and chosen for Who's Who for Academics and Who's Who in America for both English and science. He received the AP English III, Psychology, Geography and Citizenship awards. An All-American Scholar, he was granted the Scholastic Achievement Award for State Testing. He participated in American Legion Boys State, a Congressional Forum with Lead America and the American Legion Boys Nation as one of two state senators. At MHS, he lettered in varsity soccer and golf and was chosen Best Actor in a Character Role in a musical production. His community service included helping coach Upward Basketball, participating in cleanup in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, assisting at Camp Sunshine for the mentally challenged and working with Operation Christmas Child. He is the son of Henry and Tammy Anderson.

Boyce, a graduate of Oxford High School, ranked ninth in her class of 188. She spent the 2007-08 school year in Germany as a participant in the scholarship-based Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program. At OHS, she was a member of the band, debate team, Anchor Club and Delta Epsilon Phi, German national honor society. As a science fair participant, she won Best of Fair at the regional level, placed third in the state and served as an alternate at the International Science Fair. Active in Girl Scouts for more than a decade, she won Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. A member of the Mayor's Youth Council, she served as its co-chair. She participated in the 2007 Oxford-Lafayette Junior Leadership Program and was named outstanding leader of the class. Her parents are Priscilla Hamric and Steve Boyce; her step-parents are Ed Koen and Bonnie Wilson.

Lichlyter graduated from Hope Christian School with a 4.0 GPA. He participated for five years in the local Speech and Debate Club, which is affiliated with the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association. He competed four years at the NCFCA National Tournament, winning third place in Team Policy Debate and eighth place in Extemporaneous Speaking. In regional debate competition, he was twice named both Policy Debate Champion and Extemporaneous Speaking Champion, and once Original Oratory Champion. For two years, he was a state finalist in the National Geographic Society Geography Bee. He played on several teams in tennis league competition and in singles tennis tournaments. A longtime Boy Scout, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and served as senior patrol leader. He has been a volunteer with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Birmingham and with the local Albert L. Scott Library. He is the son of Phillip and Lisa Lichlyter.

Ray graduated from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, where he was emissary and Model UN vice president. He was a member of the school's Quiz Bowl team that was named the 2009 state champion. In the United States Institute of Peace National Peace Essay Contest, he won first in the state and third in the nation, which earned him a $3,500 scholarship. A member of the National Honor Society, his other school activities included member of the marching, symphonic and concert bands, and manager of the soccer team. His club memberships included those in Science, Foreign Language, Middle Eastern Studies, Classic Rock Appreciation and Chess. His parents are Todd and Donna Ray.

Sneed graduated first in her class of 106 at North Pontotoc High School, where she played on the varsity soccer and softball teams and was captain of the school's first cross country team. A member of the NPHS band and the National Honor Society, she belonged to the Beta Club, Science Club and Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. She served three years on her school's Scholar's Bowl, including two years when the team won the championship round in competition at Itawamba Community College. A 10-year piano student, she received superior rating by the National Federation of Music Clubs for seven consecutive years. She represented her school at the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, where she was elected a top eight official. As a member of the Pontotoc County Youth Leadership Class, she helped organize a countywide Clean Sweep for litter collection. She also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. She is the daughter of Harold and Denita Sneed.

Lexi Thoman graduated from Lafayette High School in Ballwin, Mo., ranked No. 40 in her class of 460. She received the Renaissance Award, which acknowledges one graduate who demonstrates a passion for scholarship, athletics, leadership and excellence in the arts. She belonged to the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. A member of the International Thespian Troupe, she won the Honors Thespian Award. She belonged to the Lafayette Theater Company and operated the theatrical lighting for her school's theater department. A member of the LHS cross country and varsity track teams, she was a four-year winner of both the Gold Level Scholar Athlete Award and the Gold Level Renaissance Award. Her community service included volunteering for the St. Louis Marathon, Project Backpack, and Project Mittens and Gloves. Lexi is the daughter of Deborah Lynn Thoman and Philip Edward Thoman.

Tori Thoman also graduated from Lafayette High School, where she was an Academic Excellence Honors Scholar and Missouri Bright Flight Scholar. Ranked No. 24 in her class of 460 students, she received the George Washington Carver Award, United States President's Award for Academic Excellence and AP Scholar with Honor Award. A member of the school's cross country and track and field teams, she was a four-year winner of the Gold Level Scholar/Athlete Award, Gold Level Scholar/Artist Award and Gold Level Renaissance Award. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Lafayette Theater Company. In community service, she was a volunteer for several projects, including Crisis Nursery Diaper Drive, St. Louis ScholarShop, Public Broadcasting Station's "Arthur in the Park" and Knights of Columbus. Tori is the daughter of Deborah Lynn Thoman and Philip Edward Thoman.

Varenita was born in Moldova and moved to the United States with her family when she was 11 years old. She graduated No. 1 in her class of 40 at Copiah Academy. In MPSEA State Overall Betterment Competition, she won first place in world history in both 2007 and 2008, and third place in English I in 2006. In MPSEA District IV Academic Betterment Competition, she won first place in English and third place in American History in 2006. She placed third in the 2007 Life Changes Literary Competition at the McClean Fletcher Center in Jackson. At Copiah Academy, she won Teacher's Choice Awards in English, video journalism, chemistry, history and algebra, and she was a member of her school's Quiz Bowl team and chapters of Mu Alpha Theta, Senior Theta and Envirothon. In 2005, she attended UM's Trent Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders. She received a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant and Sam Walton Community Scholarship toward college expenses. In community service, she helped with Chautauqua Park Christmas Decoration, Jingle Bell Walk and Flower Beds Project. Her parents are Natalia Tkachenko and William Lowenkamp Jr.

Charles Woods graduated from St. Andrews Episcopal School. A member of the National Honor Society, he was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. He received the Watson Quality Ford Home Team Hero Award and Scholarship, AP Human Geography Book Award, International Relations Book Award and James Parham Evans III Prize for AP U.S. History. Lettering four years in both varsity football and baseball, he was named All Madison County Team (senior), All District First Team (junior) and All District Second Team (sophomore, senior) in football; and All District First Team (senior) in baseball. He served on his school's Honor Council and Student Council, and was a member of the Diversity Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Speech and Debate Team, and National Forensic League. An Eagle Scout, he logged more than 120 hours of community service in various projects throughout high school. He also went on a mission trip to Honduras and served as a camp counselor for Operation Hoopstrings. His parents are Tracy and Scott Woods.

Sarah Woods graduated from Jackson Academy with a 4.0 GPA. She received the Speech Award, World History Award and Youth Congress Senator Award. She was chosen Most Effective Attorney in mock trial competition for two years. A member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, she participated in the National Forensics Competition and ABC Spanish Testing. She was a member and officer of the Spanish Club, Outdoor Club, Pre-med Club, Mock Trial and Forensics. She lettered four years in cross country and one year in softball. She participated in Girls State and was a City of Ridgeland Junior Diplomat and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. She is the daughter of Andy Woods and Kathy Woods.

For more information about the Croft Institute for International Studies, visit
http://www.croft.olemiss.edu/home/.