ELLISVILLE – Jones College sophomore from Ellisville, Kayla Hamil was crowned Most Beautiful at the Jones College Most Beautiful Pageant held November 8, in the M.P. Bush Fine Art Auditorium. Forty contestants vied for the title this year.
Kayla Hamil is crowned Jones College’s “Most Beautiful 2024-2025” by 2023-2024 Most Beautiful, Rylee Howse. Photo by Jones College Journalism student, Andie Freeman.
The Top Five winners included: First Alternate-Abigail Trejo of Moselle, Second Alternate-Emma Grace Buckley of Bay Springs, Third Alternate-Kameron Upchurch of Laurel, and Fourth Alternate-Ashlyn Buster of Pachuta.
The ladies making up the group of Top Ten winners were Tashayla Broomfield of Lawrence County, Haley Fortenberry of Collins, Xoe Lockhart of Carriere, Anna Grace Bolivar of Laurel, Cambrey Irby of Enterprise, Abigail Trejo of Moselle, Emma Grace Buckley of Bay Springs, Most Beautiful-Kayla Hamil of Ellisville, Kameron Upchurch of Laurel, and Ashlyn Buster of Pachuta. Additionally, Xoe Lockhart of Carriere won the Most Photogenic award, and Hamil won the Audience Choice award.
Former Jones College Most Beautiful winner, Miss Jones County and Miss Mississippi 2021 contestant, Caidyn Crowder of Ellisville entertained the audience throughout the pageant along with Jones OnStage.
The pageant, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs and the JC Lair Yearbook, uses part of its proceeds to fund the Madge Mailey scholarship, which is offered through the Jones College Foundation.
Jones College’s Most Beautiful, Top Ten winners are pictured left to right, Tashayla Broomfield-Lawrence County, Haley Fortenberry-Collins, Abigail Trejo-Moselle, Emma Grace Buckley-Bay Springs, Kayla Hamil-Ellisville, Kameron Upchurch-Laurel, Ashlyn Buster-Pachuta, Xoe Lockhart-Carriere, Anna Grace Bolivar-Laurel, Cambrey Irby-Enterprise. Photo by Jones College Journalism student, Andie Freeman
ELLISVILLE – Twenty-six Jones College students have received $800 in scholarship money from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s Round Up for Education program, which has helped more than 2,000 community college students over the past 12 years. This fall, 185 students in total, throughout Pearl River Valley Electric’s 12-county service area received a financial boost as they begin their school year.
“I am so thankful to all the people that have made the choice to donate to this Scholarship fund, Roundup for Education,” said Jones College freshman, Miranda Barefoot of Sumrall. “It’s going to help me long term, achieve my nursing degree and eventually specialize in labor and delivery to where I can give back to all the people that need it.”
Pearl River Valley Electric’s Round Up for Education program is funded by members who round their bills up to the nearest dollar each month. Scholarships are available to members who participate in the program, as well as for their spouses or dependent children who were enrolled as freshmen this fall.
“I am very appreciative for this opportunity from the community because the change they donate is given back to college students like me, trying to get an education,” said Jones College freshman from Hattiesburg, Sydney Turner who aspires to be a diagnostic medical sonographer.
CEO/General Manager Matthew Ware said he appreciated the dedication of its members who help the electric cooperative do “amazing things” by helping students and building stronger communities.
Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith (left) and PRVEPA Manager of Marketing, Communications and Member Services, Leif Munkel (right) hold the Big Check representing the total amount of scholarship money 26 Jones College students like Miranda Barefoot of Sumrall (center left) and Sydney Turner (right center) will receive in $800 scholarships from the Round Up for Education program sponsored by Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s members.
“Without our members’ support of the scholarship program, we wouldn’t be able to improve the lives of so many students,” said Ware. “Sometimes the smallest gestures, like donating 50 cents a month, can make the biggest impact in our communities. While it may not seem like your spare change can do much, when combined with the generosity of other Pearl River Valley Electric members, you can help change the life of a fellow member while also improving your local community. This program shows how working together can make a big difference – and that is the cooperative way.”
Since the Round Up program began in November 2012, nearly 2.5 million has been collected and deposited in an account overseen by the Pine Belt Foundation. Ten percent of each year’s funds are set aside in an endowed fund for future scholarship opportunities. The remaining money is divided equally between the number of eligible applicants, resulting in 185 scholarships worth $800 per student this year. In the program’s 12 years, 2,354 students received scholarships.
Scholarship recipients this year include 110 students attending Pearl River Community College, 31 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and 26 at Jones County Junior College. An additional 18 students are attending six other state community colleges. Overall, students came from 19 different high schools and home school programs.
Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1, go toward next year’s scholarships. Applications for 2025 scholarships will be available beginning this month.
ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s School of Art, Music and Performance and the Salvation Army invite the public to join its celebration of, “Christmas with the Arts-Because of Bethlehem” on Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are available for $10 & $15 through the reservation website, https://www.jcjc.edu/tickets/
“Reserve your seats now because we do expect the show to be sold out,” said Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith. “If you bring a new, unwrapped toy on the night of the performance, if there are any seats left you can get a discounted ticket. However, we hope people will bring a toy to support the Salvation Army regardless.”
This year’s program will follow 5th grader, Greenly Flowers of Ellisville as she experiences various Christmas events like mall shopping, seeing Santa, midnight mass and other surprises along her journey. As she discovers the true meaning of Christmas, the audience will enjoy performances from the Concert Choir, JC Jazz Band, the Percussion Ensemble, the new Ladies Quartet, JC Voices, the Touch of Gold dancers, and a special piano performance.
“For the first time ever, we’ll hear, JC’s piano professors, Dr. Theresa Sanchez and Dr. Victoria Johnson along with two of their students perform an eight-hand piece on two different Steinway B pianos. Additionally, we’ll hear some wonderful music from our new Steinway Spirio-R piano which will be an impressive moment,” shared Smith.
Even though a new toy is not required for admission to the Christmas performance at Jones College, the Salvation Army toy drive is an excellent opportunity for our students and community to give back at a time when it’s really critical. Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games, and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in the area this Christmas. Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties.
For more information, call the Jones College School of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Jones College’s Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and X formerly Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to https://salvationarmyalm.org/
ELLISVILLE – As the nation and Mississippi faces a crisis in the declining number of Emergency Medical Services personnel, Jones College is now making the Emergency Medical Training program more accessible to more people. By offering the EMT program online and “on-the-road,” a more diverse range of individuals, including working professionals, traditional students and even high school seniors will have access to the training. Jones College’s Emergency Technology, Paramedic Program Director and Healthcare Simulation Center Director, Benji Sessums, Ph.D., NR-P., believes the new course format options will help fill the shortage of EMS personnel.
Jones College students, now graduates, Jonathan Musgrave of Sandersville (left) and Colby Phillips of Raleigh (right) train in the EMT ambulance lab.
“Because of the impacts of the Covid Pandemic and significant changes in the healthcare landscape, the state is struggling to ensure that emergency services can adequately meet the public’s demand. Jones College has consistently offered a successful EMT program through traditional on-campus classes. However, we recognize that many individuals in our district may not be able to attend these classes or can’t afford the time away from work or family needed to complete their certification. By providing an online EMT course with alternative lab locations available every two weeks, we aim to give people in our district the opportunity to advance in their careers,” explained Sessums.
This spring, Jones will begin offering two options for the EMT program beginning on January 13, 2025, and concluding on May 8, and 9, 2025. The first option is the traditional class, similar to what has been provided in the past, with classes meeting on the main campus in Ellisville on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. In addition to extensive lecture and lab training, students will get 12 hours of clinical experience in local Emergency Rooms and 60 hours of field rotations on the ambulance.
The new option available this spring will allow students to get all classroom lectures through the online Canvas system, utilizing interactive activities, discussion boards, video lectures, and other online engagements with faculty. Online students will be required to attend a 5-hour lab every two weeks and will focus on proctored testing and skill training.
“The best aspect of this new format is the fact the labs will be held at various locations throughout the Jones College District, which may include Bay Springs, Covington County, Greene County, the main campus in Ellisville and additional sites based on student demographics. Students can attend any of the lab sites to fulfill their bi-weekly lab requirements,” Sessums said.
In total, students will have seven lab sessions culminating in a comprehensive lab check-off during the first week of May at the main campus. These students will be required to complete the same 12-hour ER shift, and 60 hours of field rotations on the ambulance. Upon successful completion of the seven-hour academic college course, students will be able to test for the National Registry EMT Certification.
Federal Aid, and scholarships through the Jones College Foundation Office, and through the Local WIN Job Center may be available to cover the $1,400 tuition, books, uniform shirt, and lab resources. To learn more about the new, EMT program options at Jones College, email, emtparamedic@jcjc.edu or click on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/emt/
Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Statement of Non-Discrimination and ADA Statement: Jones County Junior College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policy: The (ADA/ Section 504) Wendy Evans, ADA Coordinator, Terrell Tisdale Library, phone 601-477-2673; email ADACoordinator@jcjc.edu and Title IX Coordinator, Brittany Weatherford-Barron, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127; email brittany.weatherford@jcjc.edu. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.
ELLISVILLE – Hundreds of Jones County Junior College alumni and friends gathered recently for Jones College’s Homecoming Alumni Luncheon which honored several alumni for various accomplishments. During that event, the Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa’s International Honor Society, Rho Sigma Chapter presented the PTK Alumnus of the Year Award to 1990 JCJC graduate, Mary Boleware. She is only the second person to receive the honor from the newly formed Alumni Chapter of PTK at Jones College.
“To be chosen as the Jones College PTK Honor Alumnus for 2024 was quite the surprise!” said Boleware. “I am humbled to have been chosen from among so many deserving candidates.”
She was presented the award by fellow faculty members, Caleb Smith and Mark Brown who also serve as PTK Advisors. They explained that Boleware has not only been an active member of PTK as a student, but she has also been involved with hundreds of JC student’s journeys throughout the 24 years she has been teaching Engineering Mechanics-Statistics and Physics to engineering majors.
“It was unanimous that the honoree for 2024 would be beloved Physics Instructor, and former Rho Sigma Member, Ms. Mary Boleware,” shared Brown. “Ms. Boleware has meant so much to countless aspiring engineering students, as she not only nurtures them, but challenges them as well. Anyone that has been under her instruction can have confidence that they are greatly prepared to meet the continued challenge of engineering.”
As a student at Jones in 1988-1990, Boleware was an active member of PTK. She continued to serve in the honor society in leadership positions after transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi.
“I remained active with the PTK Alumni Chapter at USM and served as chapter president in 1991-1992. It was an honor to attend three PTK National Conventions (San Francisco 1990, Chicago 1991, Washington DC 1992). Wonderful connections and lifelong memories were made,” Boleware shared.
While working on her master’s degree in physics at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Boleware was an adjunct physics instructor at William Carey College from 1993 until 1999. Additionally, in 1995 she began teaching at Forrest County Agricultural High School as the Physics, Math and Technology instructor until 2000, when she joined the faculty at Jones College.
As a faculty member at JC, Boleware served the School of Science and Engineering as the Academic Advisor and Recruiting representative and has served as the Student Engineering Society Faculty Advisor. Furthermore, she has served on the Insurance, Homecoming Alumni Brunch, and the Student Hall of Fame Selection committees. Currently, Boleware serves as a member of the Alumni & Foundation Board, and she is the Alumni Association Vice President.
Her many honors include being the JCJC Foundation Faculty of the Year recipient for 2006 and 2022, the 2013 HEADWAE (Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence) faculty recipient and receiving the Shelby Price Award for Excellence in Teaching of Science Award.
As an active member of Venture Church in Hattiesburg, Boleware has served on the Lead Pastor Search Team, Nomination Committee, Guest Services, and is a Preschool volunteer and House Church Host. Mary is married to Garland Boleware, and they have two sons, Hunter and Tanner and his wife, Ashlyn.
Jones College’s Alumni Association and Foundation recently honored 11 alumni during Homecoming events and are pictured left to right, “Rising Stars” Sawyer Taylor of Laurel and (standing behind Sawyer) Hans Van Houten of Moselle; “Outstanding Alumni of the Year” Ben and Erin Napier of Laurel (left center); Legacy Award winner, Dr. Larry Guthrie of Watkinsville, Georgia (center front); Distinguished Service Award recipients Michael and Katye Howard of Ellisville (right center); Dr. Jeffrey E. Carter of Laurel and current New Orleans resident (pictured front right, 2nd from the end); “Achievement and Excellence Award” recipients (picture front right end) John Reynolds Clark, a native of Waynesboro and current Ellisville resident, Dr. Benjamin P. Stevens of Laurel (pictured behind Dr. Clark) and the PTK Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to Mary Boleware (right end).
