ELLISVILLE – The artwork of Bethanie Wilson of Hattiesburg is now on display in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at Jones College through September 15, 2023. She will be sharing more about her work at an “Art Talk” on Wednesday, September 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the art gallery on the Ellisville campus.
Wilson’s large, oil paintings depict portions of her life being raised in rural Forrest County, near Hattiesburg, where she developed an intimate love for drawing the landscapes and life around her, with some of those pieces on display at the free showing at Jones College. Her work is also on display at the Mainstreet Gallery in Hattiesburg, and she is working as an adjunct art instructor at William Carey University.
She began her formal painting career her freshman year of college at William Carey University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and master’s in education degree in Art. Passionately exploring the infinite painting world, Wilson is heavily influenced by artists such as Mark Rothko, Claude Monet, and Joan Mitchell. The energetic color abstractions she creates are sincere spiritual and emotional expressions.
“As an artist, I bring out the life within me, through strokes of paint, I can’t express in words. In my work, it interests me to evoke an intellectual emotion; each element of a piece is thoughtfully composed by strategic theory of color and composition partnered with an embodiment of human experience. Object matter is taken away, but the memories and senses shared remain. I am enlightened through my faith that unapologetically tells a personal journey between creation and Creator. What I veil upon the canvas is evidence of things not seen, literally. When I paint, I am engaged in a visual conversation,” explained Wilson.
The young artist has received art awards including Best in Painting Award at the 2020 Mississippi Collegiate Art competition, winning the 2021 Art Student Exhibition at the Sarah Gillespie Museum of Art, the Best in Show Award at the 2022 South Mississippi Art Association Juried Exhibition. She has been featured in shows held in the Odd Fellows Gallery, Sarah Gillespie Museum of Art, the Hattiesburg Cultural Center, Lucile Parker Gallery and at the University Baptist Church gallery space.
For more information about the JC art show or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Wednesdays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. If you want to know more about the Jones College Art Department, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.
ELLISVILLE – Leading the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band at Jones College are four students: two returning sophomores and two new freshmen. Both newcomers are Jones County residents with a long history of musicianship. Northeast Jones High School graduate, Hannah Latham has been playing clarinet since sixth grade and continued until her junior year in high school to become a drum major.
“Being drum major is such a thrilling feeling unlike anything else,” said Latham. “I can’t wait for this season and I’m ready for the experiences and impact that Jones will have on my life. I am currently a vocal major, and I hope to share my love for music with as many people as I possibly can.”
She describes this year’s Maroon Typhoon Marching Band’s half time show as being “super exciting” because there is a lot of popular music that will be recognizable for many.
“This show is a perfect example of how hard we have worked, and I cannot wait for people to be blown away by it. I’m also looking forward to all the friendships I’ll make along with becoming a better leader. I can’t wait to gain more experience with what I love doing!” said Latham.
Joining Latham is freshman Braden Yarber, a South Jones High School graduate. His band experience began in eighth grade playing mallets as a percussionist and continuing through his freshman year of high school. Yarber was named a drum major his sophomore year and continued through his senior year. The Medical Laboratory Science major is pursuing a career in medical studies and research but is enjoying his musical experiences at Jones College.
“Although I have only been a member of the Maroon Typhoon for a short time, I have already enjoyed the new memories and friends I have made. I am looking forward to watching the band grow and improve as performers and as a family throughout this season,” said Yarber.
Returning sophomores to the drum major podium are music education major, Jessica Manning from Quitman who also plays alto saxophone, and Melania Sanders from Columbia. Manning served as drum major for three years at Quitman High School. The alto saxophonist has plans to make music her career and is thrilled to return to the drum major podium this season. Manning’s family is also rooted at Jones. Her parents, Douglas and Carla Manning are JC alumni with their daughter Hannah, being a 2021 member of the Maroon Typhoon as a trumpet player. Jessica said she will also be sharing her vocal talents singing in the Concert Choir at Jones.
Melania Sanders’ family tree also includes several JC Bobcats. Her sister, Kimberly played trumpet in the JC band and convinced Melania to pick up the horn too. Her mother and her cousin came to JC and Sanders said a lot of her friends have made Jones College their choice too. However, her rodeo skills and the agricultural opportunities at Jones are what sold Sanders on being a part of the Bobcat family.
While her career goal is to be a veterinarian, Sanders has been playing trumpet since sixth grade. She was the drum major for her last two years at Columbia High School and is also ready to take the field as a Maroon Typhoon Drum Major for her last season at Jones College. For more information about the JC Band and the Fine Arts program click https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or email Dr. Burge at ben.burge@jcjc.edu
ELLISVILLE – A total of 38 practical nursing graduates completed Jones College’s three-semester program, filling a critical need at area health care facilities and hospitals. The Ellisville campus had 24 graduates while 14 students completed the inaugural program at the Jasper County Center in Bay Springs with a pinning and completion ceremony.
“Class for those students in Bay Springs started as a whirlwind last August, and they have come through with grace. This group also dove right into doing community service that was appreciated by many,” said Jones College Practical Nursing Director, Amy Myers. “At the main campus in Ellisville, 24 graduates are entering the nursing profession during a massive nursing shortage. We welcome them to the healthcare family.”
At the pinning and completion ceremony in Bay Springs, three students earned honors awarded by faculty members. Receiving Jasper County Center’s Florence Nightingale Award for the first, practical nursing class was Kamilia Ross of Louin, while the Rising Star Award went to Lexi Sims of Bay Springs. Shelsea Harden of Stringer received the Academic Excellence Award.
Earning the Florence Nightingale Award for the Ellisville class was Sally Sharplin of Moselle. Monica Lawrence of Hattiesburg earned the Rising Star Award and Lanett Travis of Hattiesburg was awarded the Academic Excellence honor for having the overall highest average.
ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s fall semester began with a nice cool breeze filled with sunshine and fellowship. As students crisscrossed campus in search of their classes, various personnel were stationed outside and inside buildings to offer assistance. While traditional classes began today, online and dual enrollment classes begin on Monday, August 21. For more information about how to apply go to the website, www.jcjc.edu
ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s 180-member marching band, the Maroon Typhoon is serving up its fans a grandiose show featuring gold and glitter and a cross-generational selection of music with various genres this fall. Music about the sun, stars, and all things gold and glittery will be featured in this year’s fall show including Madonna, Soundgarden, Dua Lipa, Jake, Muse, Ellie Goulding, Sza and Kendrick Lamar. The Maroon Typhoon is led by Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge who is in his eighth year, with associate band directors, Dr. Lindsey Keay, who has been on staff since 2013 and teaches flute, and Dr. Josh Frans, who joined the team in 2018 and is the percussion instructor. Also on staff is brass instructor, Caleb Owenby (2021), clarinet instructor, Susan Schuman (2022), Touch of Gold choreographer and JC alumna, Lora Martineau Davis (1991), and the newest member joining the Maroon Typhoon is Color Guard and Winterguard Director, Meredith Owen who began her JC journey last fall (2022).
Lora Davis, Josh Frans, Susan Schuman, Ben Burge, Meredith Owen, Lindsey Keay & Caleb Owenby
The Maroon Typhoon has been meeting for the last two weeks in Band Camp to hone their marching and performing skills and learning the JC traditions and pregame show.
“The Jones College Fanfares, the College fight song, National Anthem, Hey Song and the student’s favorite, JC Jam will remain a part of the traditional pregame performance. This season, the Touch of Gold dance team will be featured performing, ‘Let it Whip,’” said Burge.
Fans should notice the largest drumline in several years in addition to a growing band, post Covid. Also, the JC Cheerleaders will continue to coordinate their routines with the band, continuing another long-standing tradition during the fall season.
“I really appreciate the collaborative atmosphere and coordination between cheer and band. It is always a joy to work with our cheer squad and coaches. It is an integral part of each show and has become one of my favorite things about fall at JC. The Maroon Typhoon and the JC Cheer squad really put on a professional and fun start to each ballgame,” Burge shared.
Sophomore drum majors are Jessica Manning of Quitman and Melania Sanders, of Columbia, with newcomers, Hannah Latham from Northeast Jones and Braden Yarber from South Jones High Schools. They lead the group of various college majors in addition to music majors, on and off the field. The Touch of Gold dance team is led by co-captains, Kelly Biglane of Ellisville and Taylor Garretson of Leakesville and the Color Guard captains are Gabi Lopez of Flowood, Layken Valentine of Laurel, and Ellisville’s, Arielle Grimaldo and Charlee Norman.
Kelly Biglane & Taylor Garretson
Fans can meet the Maroon Typhoon and JC athletes during, “A Night with the Bobcats” on Thursday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. on the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza. The first home football game and band performance will be on September 21, when JC takes on Co-Lin CC at 7 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field. For more information about Jones College, go to the website, www.jcjc.edu
Jones College Maroon Typhoon Marching Band 8/11/2023
Name HS County Instrument/Section
Jeffery Wimbley Washington County HS, Washington Co AL-Tenors
James Leggett West Potomac HS, Alexandria, VA (Petal) Tuba
Madilyn Pitts Enterprise HS 02 Clarinet
Timothy (Dalton) Pitts Enterprise HS 10 Tenors
Trinity Pitts Enterprise HS 06 Trumpet
Chase Albritton Quitman HS 06 Trumpet
Jessica Manning Quitman HS 15 Drum Major
Emari Moody Quitman HS 05 Horn
J’len Noel Quitman HS 09 Tuba
Natyana Noel Quitman HS 16 Manager
Zoe Payne Quitman HS 02 Clarinet
Adrian Roberts Quitman HS 10 Snare
Tykeivia Watts Quitman HS 16 Manager
Alex Rogers Copiah Academy 13 Dancer
Halie Dunn Collins HS 01 Flute
Jacey Mangrum Collins HS 01 Flute
Peyton Jones Seminary HS 16 Manager
Dalton Leggett Seminary HS 07 Trombone
Iquec Magee Seminary HS 07 Trombone
Wayne (Alan) Nitsche Seminary HS 01 Flute
Ethan Noffke Seminary HS 06 Trumpet
Julie King Seminary HS 01 Flute
Breana Walker Seminary HS 06 Trumpet
Leila Daniels Forrest County AHS 13 Dancer
William (Will) Carlson Forrest County AHS 12 Guard
Trinity Williams Forrest County AHS 06 Trumpet
Mallory Anderson Petal HS 13 Dancer
Carter Bullock Petal HS 05 Horn
Dakota Fowler Petal HS 06 Trumpet
Grace Frey Petal HS 13 Dancer
Avery Hampton Petal HS 16 Manager
Ella Jolly Petal HS 13 Dancer
Abby Knight Petal HS 13 Dancer
Serenity (Cici) Lawson Petal HS 01 Flute
Douglas Prout Petal HS 10 Snare
Peyton Rowell Petal HS 10 Snare
Ethan Smith Petal HS 10 Snare
Ben Thames Petal HS 10 Bass 2
Landen Upton Petal HS 06 Trumpet
Zander Watts Petal HS 09 Tuba
William (Kai) Welborn Petal HS 06 Trumpet
Josie Young Petal HS 13 Dancer
Jordan Stianche Petal HS 11 Front Ensemble
India Dearman Greene Co HS 03 Saxophone
Taylor Garretson Greene Co HS 13 Dancer
De’Juan (DJ) Odems Gautier HS 08 Euphonium
Aidan Brewton Bay Springs HS 11 Front Ensemble
Richard (Trey) Daverson Stringer HS 06 Trumpet
Brady Segraves Stringer HS 09 Tuba
Hanah Zugg Stringer HS 01 Flute
Samuel Ellard Northeast Jones HS 09 Tuba
John Marshall Ayres Northeast Jones HS 10 Tenors
Granville (Lee) Arrington Northeast Jones HS 11 Front Ensemble
Nathan Brabham Northeast Jones HS 06 Trumpet
Trevor Broadway Northeast Jones HS 07 Trombone
Hailey Brown Northeast Jones HS 01 Flute
Nayasia (Campbrelle) Bryant Northeast Jones HS 12 Guard
Michael (Ashton) Champion Northeast Jones HS 10 Bass 5
Emilee (Paige) Farve Northeast Jones HS 12 Guard
Stephen Gowin Northeast Jones HS 04 Bari Sax
Martha Hernandez Northeast Jones HS 12 Guard
Alisha Hudson Northeast Jones HS 12 Guard
Hannah Latham Northeast Jones HS 15 Drum Major
Logan Miller Northeast Jones HS 11 Front Ensemble
Ardajah Pierce Northeast Jones HS 12 Guard
Kawanda Turner Northeast Jones HS 02 Clarinet
Kameron Upchurch Northeast Jones HS 13 Dancer
Gabriel Vermilyea Northeast Jones HS 11 Front Ensemble
Stacy (Darlene) Villaseca Northeast Jones HS 03 Saxophone
Alexis Wade Northeast Jones HS 02 Clarinet
Kelly Biglane South Jones HS 13 Dancer
Phoebe Boozer South Jones HS 04 Tenor Saxophone
Nathan Bower South Jones HS 06 Trumpet
Hudson Bryant South Jones HS 05 Horn
Kalilah Cash South Jones HS 01 Flute
Arielle Grimaldo South Jones HS 12 Guard
Kayla Hamil South Jones HS 13 Dancer
Isabella Hammond South Jones HS 13 Dancer
Kylee Hicks South Jones HS 13 Dancer
Casie Husack South Jones HS 10 Snare
Sofia Jeri South Jones HS 01 Flute
Kinsey Lawson South Jones HS 13 Dancer
Halla Lower South Jones HS 05 Horn
Kaitlyn Massie South Jones HS 02 Clarinet
Alexus McCulllum South Jones HS 02 Clarinet
Demarion McCullum South Jones HS 10 Bass 3
Elizabeth McLemore South Jones HS 02 Clarinet
Kelsey Lawrence South Jones HS 13 Dancer
Leo Norman South Jones HS 09 Tuba
Charlee Norman South Jones HS 12 Guard
Olivia Odom South Jones HS 16 Manager
James Rigdon South Jones HS 08 Euphonium
Olivia Roberts South Jones HS 12 Guard
Jonathan Roney South Jones HS 06 Trumpet
Leigha Thompson South Jones HS 03 Saxophone
Sydnee Tisdale South Jones HS 07 Trombone
Sophie Wansley South Jones HS 01 Flute
Robert (Braden) Yarber South Jones HS 15 Drum Major
Sydney Tisdale Ellisville 03 Bari Sax
Kylan Combest Laurel HS 07 Trombone
Destini Jordan Laurel HS 11 Front Ensemble
Dashia Jordan Laurel HS 16 Manager
Nylah (Gabby) Mckenzie Laurel HS 09 Tuba
Precious Perkins Laurel HS 16 Manager
Miracle Shelby Laurel HS 16 Manager
Alyssa (Max) Adams West Jones HS 09 Tuba
Ethan Ainsworth West Jones HS 06 Trumpet
Andres Avalos West Jones HS 07 Trombone
Bailie Bishop West Jones HS 13 Dancer
Alexander Francisco West Jones HS 09 Tuba
Trinity Gieger West Jones HS 09 Tuba
Hailey Graves West Jones HS 06 Trumpet
Jeffrey (Alex) Guy West Jones HS 08 Euphonium
Allari Hernandez West Jones HS 03 Alto Saxophone
Hunter Herrington West Jones HS 06 Trumpet
Ava Hickson West Jones HS 01 Flute
Kaitlyn Huddleston West Jones HS 11 Front Ensemble
Bryce Jasper West Jones HS 08 Euphonium
Caleb Mosley West Jones HS 07 Trombone
Kaylee Moss (Fulgum) West Jones HS 12 Guard
Isaiah Pleas West Jones HS 06 Trumpet
Jaime Ramirez West Jones HS 07 Trombone
Aaron Reiher West Jones HS 02 Clarinet
Adamaris Rivera West Jones HS 12 Guard
Aidan (Harley) Slater West Jones HS 01 Flute
Alex Slater West Jones HS 10 Snare
Layken Valentine West Jones HS 12 Guard
Logan Histand Oak Grove HS 11 Front Ensemble
Sadie Luckett Oak Grove HS 12 Guard
Larson Ware Oak Grove HS 08 Euphonium
Briana McGinty Purvis HS 07 Trombone
Pearlz Adams New Hope HS 02 Clarinet
Donna Cameron West Marion HS 16 Manager
Melania Sanders Columbia HS 15 Drum Major
Gynesis Rivers Newton HS 12 Guard
Xoe Lockhart Pearl River Central HS 13 Dancer
Chris Garner Perry Central HS 16 Manager
Gabrielle King Perry Central HS 02 Clarinet
Mariah Smith Richton HS 11 Front ensemble
Kim Arevalo Pearl HS 01 Flute
Tana Bradshaw Puckett HS 16 Manager
Ceilia Burkett Florence HS 12 Guard
Cody Holliday Florence HS 10 Bass 6
Johnna Nail Northwest Rankin HS 06 Trumpet
Gabriella Lopez Northwest Rankin HS 12 Guard
Ghenessey Lopez Vicente Morton HS 16 Manager
Meghan Torrano Morton HS 06 Trumpet
Kaylee McWilliams Magee HS 12 Guard
Lakendrick Wells Mendenhall HS 10 Snare
Emily Wicker Magee HS 12 Guard
Dayanara (Michel) Gonzalez Magee HS 02 Clarinet
Mark (Curtis) Adcox Mize HS 10 Bass 4
Zachary Hand Mize HS 05 Horn
Jay’Nia Keyes Mize HS 12 Guard
Raelyn Lee Mize HS 01 Flute
Dori Saranthus Mize HS 12 Guard
Elizabeth (Paige) Shoemake Mize HS 12 Guard
Dawson Temple Mize HS 04 Tenor Saxophone
Rosemary Aguilar Raleigh HS 02 Clarinet
Logan Ingram Raleigh HS 03 Alto Sax
Kaydence Johnson Raleigh HS 10 Bass 1
Mersadi McCarter Raleigh HS 06 Trumpet
Haydn Westbrook Raleigh HS 11 Front Ensemble
Sadie Jones Sylva Bay Academy 13 Dancer
Tony Ducksworth Taylorsville HS 04 Tenor Saxophone
Emerald Green Pennfoster Homeschool 16 Manager
Zion Cooper Wayne County HS 16 Manager
Joshua Evans Wayne County HS 10 Snare
Kaylee Hines Wayne County HS 02 Clarinet
Nigel Johnson Wayne County HS Wayne 10 Snare
Alexandria (Alli) Smith Wayne County HS 11 Front Ensemble
Lakiriya (Kira) Stokes Wayne County HS 11 Front Ensemble
