Leland students take next step toward nursing career

Kenzley Wooley (left) and Lana Upshur (right)

Lana Upshur and Kenzlee Wooley of Leland have both been recently accepted into Mississippi nursing school programs. Both are 2025 graduates of Deer Creek School and played multiple sports and held various leadership roles throughout their time in high school.

Upshur has been accepted into the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing BSN program at Delta State University. Upshur, who says she had set her sights on becoming a nurse while in high school, attended Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC), where she completed her nursing prerequisites. While in high school, she was involved heavily in sports and academic clubs, through which she says she developed her time-management and commitment qualities, both of which she expects will be valuable skills for success in the nursing school program.

“Nursing has always been an important goal of mine,” Upshur said. “I am honored to continue a family legacy at Robert E. Smith, where both my mother and sisters attended nursing school.”

Her mother, Melinda Upshur, owns and operates the Upshur Clinic located on Broad Street in Leland.

Wooley, who says she is also eager to pursue a career in nursing, attends Mississippi Delta Community College, where she has also been recently accepted into the nursing program. While at Deer Creek School, Wooley served as the Student Council President and was an active member of her alma mater, playing multiple sports and serving in various leadership roles.

At MDCC, Wooley is a member of the cheerleading team. She says her dreams of caring for others stems from other family members being involved in the medical field, as well.

“Both my mom and brother work in the medical field; my mom is a radiology tech, and my brother is a nurse,” Wooley said.