Fywoop

16/04/2026

FYWOOP was honored to witness Selectwoman Terri Waterman Baylor present a donation from the Baylor-Waterman family to Big Team member Harmoanie Wanzo to help support her summer leadership opportunity in Washington, D.C., where she will attend an Advanced Medicine Leadership Program.

What made the moment even more special was the wisdom shared in the room. Mrs. Baylor spoke with our students and families about the power of a village. She shared her daughter’s journey through medical school, reminding everyone that obstacles may come, but with faith, support, and determination, success is possible. Today, her daughter is serving as a family medical doctor.

She also left our students with an important message about the value of volunteering, giving back, and staying connected to the community. Her heart for service was clear, and her words were a powerful example of leadership in action.

At FYWOOP, we believe exposure, encouragement, and community support can help change the trajectory of a young person’s life. We are thankful for leaders like Mrs. Baylor and families like the Baylor-Waterman family who choose to pour back into the next generation.

Mcdowell

12/04/2026

Last night was a moment of pride, purpose, and full-circle impact for our FYWOOP family.

Big Team member, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Hall, Jr., officially completed his 4-year JROTC journey an accomplishment that speaks to discipline, leadership, and commitment. This milestone was celebrated at the Military Ball, where our Executive Director was honored to be in attendance to witness such a powerful moment.

Jonathan is a student at McComb High School, and his leadership doesn’t stop there. He actively serves on the McComb Mayor’s Youth Council and is a member of Teen Health Mississippi MY Council,continuing to use his voice and presence to make a difference.

At FYWOOP, we believe in exposure, access, and opportunity and Jonathan is exactly what that looks like in action.

From showing up… to standing out… to now leading forward.

We are beyond proud of you, Jonathan. Keep going. Your community is watching, and more importantly, they are being inspired.

10/04/2026

Yesterday, we proudly hosted the Level Up Internship Orientation, and it was truly inspiring to witness the growth and potential of our young people. As we launch our second cohort, we are excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities that await each student.

Of course, we had to set the tone early,no cell phones on the job, no sleeping, and yes… showing up on time is not optional! And because our first cohort taught us a few lessons too, weekly reports are now part of the program.

Our job is to continue to train, promote, and add value to our students and community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Women's Foundation of Mississippi, along with our local businesses and community partners, for your continued support. Your investment is helping us provide meaningful access, real-world experience, and life-changing opportunities for our youth.

06/04/2026

At Finding Your Way Out of Poverty, we are extremely proud of our Big Team member, Harmoanie Wanzo.

She represents everything FYWOOP stands for,leadership, growth, resilience, and doing the work. Watching her step into new opportunities with confidence lets us know the investment in our youth is working.

Harmoanie is not just showing up for herself,she’s showing others what’s possible.

We ask our community to continue to support her on this journey. Encourage her. Celebrate her. And if you can, stop by Selman’s Jewelry and pick up a raffle ticket to support her.

Because when one of ours wins, we all win.
Thanks Enterprise-Journal Newspaper for this wonderful article.

Harmoanie Wanzo has dreams of becoming a pediatric surgeon, and the North Pike High School junior is on a steady track, with a good ACT score, good grades, college classes already under her belt and a rare opportunity to train among the nation’s best and brightest this summer.

01/04/2026

Our Executive Director, Shaunta McDowell, and Board Member, Kiaira Quinn, were honored with the Two-Generation Award by the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi for the life-changing work being done through Finding Your Way Out of Poverty (FYWOOP).

This moment is not just a win it is HISTORICAL for our organization.

We are deeply grateful to Pike National Bank - Member FDIC and McComb City McComb, MS for not only sponsoring but showing up and standing with us. Your support continues to help us create real opportunities for families across our community.

We also want to thank the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi for believing in our vision and investing in the work that allows us to serve both youth and their families. This is what two-generation impact looks like.

To be in a room filled with excellence, featuring Tatyana Ali and hosted by the incredible Rita Brent, made the moment even more special—but what matters most is what this award represents.

It represents families growing together.
It represents cycles being broken.
It represents a community that refuses to stay the same.

We are truly thankful and we’re just getting started.

29/03/2026

19/03/2026

Tonight the kids were ready to get down to business and they were so in tune that they didn’t want to leave.

As we gear up for our Level Up Internship Program, this is the kind of momentum we’re building,momentum that keeps our youth engaged, inspired, and ready for more.

We had the honor of hearing from Mrs. Wendy Brown, Assistant Store Manager at our local Starbucks. She didn’t just talk about coffee,she shared her journey. From life experiences to the impact of community leaders who poured into her, she gave our students a real, transparent look at what it takes to grow, lead, and stay grounded.
That’s what we believe in at FYWOOP,creating spaces where our youth can learn, connect, and see what’s possible.
We also took time to celebrate excellence within our FYWOOP family:
👏🏽 Keenan Lewis – Leadership in Youth Entrepreneurship
👏🏽 JKari & JNari Anderson – Leadership in Volunteering
These young leaders are setting the tone for what Level Up is all about,growth, service, and stepping into leadership early.
We’re building something special, and this is just the beginning.

07/03/2026

Today, Big Team member Keenan Lewis, owner of Keenan Shot It, traveled to Jackson, Mississippi to photograph the 4A Basketball Championship game between Leake Central and Morton.
At Finding Your Way Out of Poverty (FYWOOP), it is important that our students gain real-world experience in media, marketing, and communication. Opportunities like this allow our young people to step outside the classroom and develop skills that can turn into careers.
We want to congratulate Keenan on his continued growth and success, along with the amazing photos he captured from today’s championship game.
Keenan has a true passion for photographing sporting events and athletes, and it shows in his work.
If you are looking to hire a photographer for your next sporting event, Keenan Shot It is the name to remember.
Keenan is a junior at McComb High School, and we are proud to see him using his talents and building his future through the FYWOOP Media Team.
We would also like to congratulate the Morton Panthers on their championship victory and recognize both teams for the hard work and dedication it takes to compete at that level. Great job to everyone who made it to the Big House. 🏀
Photos - Keenan Lewis Keenan.shot it Keenan Lewis Jennifer Lindsey-Lewis Kiaira Quinn

02/03/2026

I am my brother’s keeper. 💙
FYWOOP is proud to celebrate Big Team members Jonathan Hall and Keenan Lewis, who are serving as pages this week for Representative Daryl Porter at the State Capitol. Both young leaders are students at McComb High School and active members of the McComb Mayor’s Youth Council.
Opportunities like this are exactly what we strive for, exposing our youth to leadership, government, and real-world experiences that build confidence and purpose. We are proud of you, Jonathan and Keenan. Keep representing Pike County well! 👏🏽

07/02/2026

30/01/2026

30/01/2026

President Dr. Steve Bishop shares a message of appreciation following strong community support for Southwest Mississippi Community College.