Eupora's Mason awarded Lindy Callahan scholarship

Balancing athletics and academics is not an easy task, but Eupora's Addison Mason makes it look that way.

The senior is the Valedictorian of her class and she also was a star softball player and cheerleader. Her work on the field and in the classroom was good enough that it caught the eye of the Mississippi High School Activities Association, which selected her one of 16 student-athletes in the state to be awarded the Lindy Callahan scholarship.

The prestigious scholarship is a special honor, but it's no surprise to her former coach Amir Hunt.

“It's the top award for a student athlete in the state of Mississippi,” Hunt said. “It's a recognition based on merit, your character, in- tegrity, academics, sportsmanship and athletic ability. There's no doubt in our minds that she fulfills all of the qualifications. She's an all-around type of kid.”

The scholarship, honoring former Gulfport High School athletic director Lindy Callahan, was started in 1996 and awards student-athletes from eight different districts $1,500 worth of scholarship money. Eight males and eight females are chosen from the eight districts with Mason representing District 4.

In order to earn the scholarship, it requires three letters of recommendation be submitted to the committee. “Lindy Callahan Scholarathletes are among the best and brightest Mississippi has to offer,” MHSAA Executive Director Don Hinton said. “This has been a difficult year and unprecedented last few months for our students in Mississippi, particularly the graduating seniors who have missed out on a number of sports, activities and events as their schools closed. We commend all 16 winners along with more than 150 nominees from throughout the state for their contributions and accomplishments that help demonstrate the value of school-based athletics and activities.”

Mason didn't get a chance to finish out her senior year on the softball field, but she put together a nice career for the Lady Eagles. A part of a slow pitch state championship and another trip to the title game, Mason was a big part of things during her time at Eupora.

She played third base the last two seasons in fast pitch but also played first base in her career and was the slow pitch pitcher as well. The versatility and determination stood out to Hunt during her time.

“I saw her grow,” Hunt said. “I saw her go from a junior varsity player to getting some playing time in the ninth grade all the way to being a starter for us over the last three years. She got baptized by fire as a 10th grader starting at first base. She had one of the best gloves on the team. She's the best fielding first baseman I've coached.”

For Hunt, Mason's future is bright based on her work ethic and abilities. He saw her at every available optional hitting practice on Sunday afternoons and never had an issue with her at practices.

Now that softball is over, that work ethic goes into the class room and building for the future. Mason leaves her mark at Eupora with countless scholarships, a STAR Student award, a Merit Graduate and a member of the Hall of Fame. She'll be going to Mississippi State where she'll major in Kinesiology in hopes of being a physical therapist one day.

Hunt thinks she can do whatever she sets her mind to in life.

“I expect her to do anything that she wants to do,” Hunt said. “She's got a very high ACT score, she's a star student at Eupora High School, the Valedictorian, you name it. She's got potential. She comes from a really good family so she can do whatever she wants to do. She was a coach's dream.”