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Denise Gonsalves

At Millsaps, she's everyone's mama. It doesn't matter how old you are, what race you are or even how weird you are—Denise Gonsalves, 42, is going to be your mama.

Carlton Martin

Football talent came naturally for Carlton Martin. The 6-foot-2-inch, 270-pound Brandon native is a senior defensive lineman for the Madison Central Jaguars.

Heather Ivery

On their way to a local shelter for lunch, a steady flow of homeless people stop to greet Heather Ivery, who is sitting on a wooden bench in Smith Park.

Margie Thompson's second-grade classroom blooms. Dancing bears proclaim the longness and shortness of vowels. Colors swirl, and pep-talk art tells children that they can excel in math, in literature, in social studies. This space at McWillie Elementary School is all about learning and is one of the reasons Thompson was selected Jackson Public Schools' Teacher of the Year for 2004.

Jerome Gentry

When 49-year-old Jerome Gentry talks about his high-school football days, his smile and hand gestures become big and animated. In 1975, the Callaway High School Chargers finished 12-0the first prep team in Mississippi to do soand brought home the state title.

Alisa Ross

At first glance, Alisa Ross appears to be a shy 17-year-old senior at Callaway High School. But catch her on the basketball court, and she lights up with a fire in her eyes and a million-dollar smile after making a shot.

Jake Greer

When some people think of Jackson, they conjure a place full of crime, drug houses, bumpy streets and rundown buildings, but not Crystal Springs native Jake Greer.

Miss Keke

Growing up gospel—that's Miss KeKe, aka the Queen of Mississippi's "Fokus." This 25-year-old Jackson native says her faith in God and hard work brought her to where she is today. She is a promoter in the music industry, helping local artists launch their careers.

Ted Duckworth

Native Jacksonian Ted Duckworth, 39, is dedicated to changing the face of downtown Jackson. A married father of four, Duckworth graduated from Mississippi State in 1988 with a bachelor's in real estate and mortgage finance. The following year, he started his own company, Duckworth Realty, with exclusive listings in LeFleur's Gallery Shopping Center and The Market at Grant's Ferry Shopping Center.

Bob Davidson

"My first love is the law. My second love is music," says Bob Davidson, 59, sitting in his office at the Mississippi Capitol Building.

Althea Stewart

"I wear a lot of hats," Althea Stewart says. When Jim Hill students want to get something going at their school, they usually call on 39-year-old Stewart, who already sits on the Black History committee, is a cheerleading coach, coordinates homecoming and organizes all the school dances.

Jason Goree

At first sight, Jason Goree looks as if he is all about business. As he flops in his brown executive chair, a picture of his wife, Khylah, and 3-year-old son Isaiah rattles on his desk. Goree, a real estate and business developer for 3G Management and Development Group, is involved in several projects to improve the city of Jackson.

Abe Schewel

When Abe Schewel isn't carrying his briefcase through the halls of Murrah High School or wearing a whistle around his neck on the soccer field, it's easy to mistake him for a student, which may be why so many of his students relate to him.

Pratik Shah

"I have always liked bacteria," Pratik Shah says, laughing. "That makes me look nerdy." But at 28 years old, Shah is no average nerd.

Sean Wade

Sean Wade is a big guy. He could use his stature to threaten, but instead, he exudes tranquility to those in his presence. Wade, 32, speaks with clarity and precision, his voice steady and soft. His demeanor is welcoming and inclusive, and he tends to be almost self-effacing. His kindness and gentleness are evident in every move and word.

Jarvis Dortch

Since 2006, Jarvis Dortch has worked as a communications coordinator for the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, which aims to improve health care for all Mississippians, "especially those whose health is threatened by poverty, racism, malnutrition and violence."

Byron Knight

Twenty-eight-year-old Byron Knight had no original intention of opening a gourmet coffee shop. But after a friend consulted him about opening a new business in Fondren, he loved the idea.

And So It Goes

July 4th in Lousiana with the family has come and gone. Family was visited, pies were resisted, drive-through daiquiris were acquired. The weather was hot but the water and lemonaid were free flowing. My cousins are having babies already so I was able to shake some kids up and send them home to their mommas. Drama was almost completely nill. As far as health and balance goes, I consider that a pretty big win.

Rage Caged

Hey, that was a great victory celebration for the Jackson Rage, wasn't it? Celebrating their great triumph at home last Saturday night at Jackson State before the largest crowd of the season in the first WBA championship game … uh, OK, so it didn't happen.

The Best In Sports In The Next 7 Days

MLS soccer, Chivas USA at Los Angeles (10 p.m., ESPN2): The Goats and Galaxy battle for L.A. supremacy. It's not the Euro Cup, but at least you get to see David Beckham.

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