ELLISVILLE –Twenty-one Jones College sophomores were selected as Hall of Fame finalists after completing an application listing campus and community involvement, volunteer service, leadership positions or offices held, and academic honors. Students also have a minimum 3.5 GPA. Some of these students are athletes and hold jobs in addition to their academic and campus responsibilities. They received special recognition in the college yearbook and during the spring commencement ceremony in May.
The Jones College Hall of Fame 2023-2024 includes, Sophia Bowden, Ellisville-Business; Davis Brown, Ellisville-Mechanical Engineering; Daniela Carrasco, Venezuela-Civil Engineering; Caden Carter, Laurel-Computer Engineering; Eli Chancellor, Petal-Engineering; Jaylynn Conner, Waynesboro-Journalism; Chanel Evans, Hattiesburg-General Studies; Natalie Graves, Laurel-Art; Haidyn Houston, Raleigh-Chemistry; Kaitlyn Huddleston, Laurel-Culinary Arts; Kendall Johnson, Laurel-Sports Medicine; Kadin Johnston, Waynesboro-Physical Therapy; Lakieundra Kangar, Crystal Springs-Pharmacy; Pablo Lopez, Waynesboro-Accounting/Finance; Aaron Mason, Raleigh-Chemical Engineering; William Mason, Raleigh-Engineering; Kena Smith, Laurel-General Studies; Carson Stanford, Grenada-Music Industry; Dawson Stringer, Laurel-Aerospace Engineering; Maria Terry, Laurel-History and Aliyah Watts, Sandy Hook-Psychology.
Sophia Bowden of Ellisville is majoring in business while also serving as the Student Government Association President and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Treasurer. Also, she was an active member of FBLA and the Charles Pickering Honors Institute.
Davis Brown of Ellisville plans to continue his education at Mississippi State majoring in mechanical engineering. At Jones College, he served as a PTK VP of Scholarship and was a member of the Engineering Society and Philosophy Club while also volunteering for the Ellis Club and ARC of Jones County.
Venezuelan, Daniela Carrasco is majoring in civil engineering and was a member of the Lady Bobcat Tennis Team, where she earned ITA Fall Regional Championship Flight A Doubles Champion, NJCAA All-Academic Second Team and JTA Scholar Athlete honors. Additionally, Carrasco is a member of PTK and on the Dean’s List.
Caden Carter of Laurel is majoring in computer engineering. While a student at Jones, Carter was a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute and PTK, and he served as the Engineering Society Vice President.
Petal resident and engineering major, Eli Chancellor served as Engineering Society President, and he was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Waynesboro’s Jaylynn Conner was honored as one of five sophomores to be named a Tullos scholar. The journalism major was the Senior Editor for the yearbook, The Lair and the Editor of the student newspaper, Radionian. She was also a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Philosophy Club, and Bobcat Broadcast anchor/reporter.
Chanel Evans earned her associate degree in psychology in 2023. She returned for a general studies degree to continue serving in PTK as the Honors in Action Project Director which earned Top 3 honors in regional PTK competition and Top 10 honors overall. The Hattiesburg resident is a member of the JCJC Alumni Association and Mu Alpha Theta.
Art major, Natalie Graves of Laurel served as the PTK Project Director which earned Most Distinguished College Project Honors in the region, and Top 10 honors internationally. She was the President of the Art Club and volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at her church and traveled to El Salvador for mission trips.
During Haidyn Houston’s year at Jones College, the chemistry major was a member of FCA, SGA, and PTK. The Raleigh resident also served as the Editor for the student newspaper, Radionian, and she worked in the Business Office. Furthermore, she earned the titles of Smith County Miss Hospitality 2024, Smith County Distinguished Young Woman 2023 and was selected to be a Tullos Scholar.
Culinary Arts major, Kaitlyn Huddleston of Laurel was actively involved at Jones as a member of the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band and Percussion Ensemble. Additionally, she was a member of PTK, DECA, SGA, SkillsUSA, and the student newspaper, Radionian and the Lair yearbook. She served her community as a volunteer firefighter and caterer.
Laurel’s Kendall Johnson is majoring in sports medicine and keeping busy as Co-Owner of Allie’s on Magnolia. At Jones College she was a member of PTK, FCA Lead Team, and Touch of Gold dance team.
Kadin Johnston of Waynesboro is majoring in physical therapy and was active in Intramural sports. As PTK President he led the Rho Sigma chapter that earned many top honors regionally and internationally. He was also a member of SGA, FCA, Philosophy Club, Bobcat Brigade, and the Charles Pickering Honors Institute. Furthermore, Johnston was selected to be aTullos Scholar.
Crystal Springs resident, Lakieundra Kangar is majoring in pharmacy and is a member of PTK Honors Society and the Charles Pickering Honors Institute. While at JC, Kangar served as the Philosophy Club’s Secretary & Treasurer, Powderpuff Team Captain, a Residence Assistant and volunteered for the Hand Mine Ministry.
Tullos Scholar, Pablo Lopez is majoring in Accounting and Finance and lives in Waynesboro. He serves as a Deacon and on the Board of Directors of his church in Waynesboro. At Jones, he was the Vice President of Leadership for PTK, 2nd Team All-MS PTK member, and a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute.
Raleigh’s Aaron Mason is majoring in chemical engineering and served as the VP for the Engineering Society and SGA Science Representative. The husband and father was also a member of the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensemble, and a member of PTK. Additionally, Mason was selected as a Tullos Scholar.
Engineering major from Raleigh, William Mason served as the Engineering Society Secretary & Treasurer and was a member of the SGA and PTK. He also volunteered for the Children’s Museum and worked at Chick-Fil-A.
Laurel High School-Middle College and Jones College graduate, Kena Smith of Laurel was a member of the JC Concert Choir and PTK. In high school, she was a member of Key Club, Golden Club, Showchoir, Spirit Club, Beta Club, Art Club, and LHS Homecoming. Also, she earned the Advanced History Award.
Carson Stanford of Grenada is majoring in the Music Industry and Recording Industry Program and is the first Jones College student and recording artist for the college’s Free State Record label. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and earned the Letter “J” award and a Presidential Scholarship. Stanford finds time to volunteer for the Food Pantry and Operation 206, as well as performing live on a regular basis.
Aerospace engineering major from Laurel, Dawson Stringer was a member of the Engineering Society, Philosophy Club, PTK, SGA and a Bobcat Brigade Officer. Stringer also volunteers for ARC of Jones County and Ellis Club.
Maria Terry of Laurel is majoring in history. She was a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, and she served as the PTK Vice President of Service.
Psychology major from Sandy Hook, Aliyah Watts was actively involved at Jones as a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Concert Choir, Chorale, Jones OnStage, Gospel Choir, as the SGA V.P. , and she served as the V.P. of Fellowship of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Watts also performed in both spring musical productions.