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ELLISVILLE – Jones College 2020 graduate, Jessie Cameron Chaney, a current Simpson County resident, is paying it forward by establishing an annual $1000 scholarship for a Jones College student. The 24-year-old wife and mother of two children said she isn’t “rich” or drawing from a Trust Fund to provide for the annual scholarship. The staff accountant at Hemphill Construction in Florence, said she is simply prioritizing her expenses and investing in someone like the Asbury Foundation Scholarship invested in her as a Jones College student.

“I’m generally a normal, average person. My kids are expensive, and daycare is expensive, but I truly put money towards what I believe in,” said Chaney. “I try not to focus too much on the material things, but the things that will continue even when I’m gone. Investing in someone else’s education will change their life, their children’s lives and it will change the lives of the people around them. I think that’s really more important than a $5 Starbucks coffee every morning.”

Going to work without the coffee is just one of the ways Chaney saves to provide funding for the scholarship. She is also motivated by her kids and her own experience while trying to get an education. After pausing her education for two years as Covid closed everything down, and online classes were not her preferred method of learning, she had her first child. That’s when Chaney decided she needed to continue her education at Mississippi State University. After exploring nursing and other majors, she focused on another avenue of helping people through accounting. In her last semester of classes last fall, Chaney learned her scholarship was withdrawn because of a situation with the donor.

“I think it showed me just how much I relied on a scholarship and how scary the thought of not being able to complete my last semester would be without that scholarship,” shared Chaney.

In fact, it pushed her harder to find a way to contribute to someone else’s education because she didn’t want someone to go through the same predicament she found herself in, especially when she was so close to graduation.

“I didn’t want someone to wonder how they are going to finish or how they can even start a degree if they don’t have the money for an education. So, being able to impact someone else’s life is important because I saw how truly impactful the scholarship that was pulled from me was. I relied on it and that fear and concern really impacted my studies as well. I wasn’t able to do as well because I was worried about how I was going to pay for college, so being able to contribute to another student so they can not only focus on their studies but also complete their studies is really important to me.”

While at Jones College, Chaney said she changed her major a few times, but she kept on track with the help of her aunt and Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Julie Atwood. Her guidance and support, Chaney said, enabled her to focus on her education, especially after she lost her grandfather and her father. Atwood emphasized that she’s proud of Chaney for being persistent in not only finding her pathway but to also help someone who may be struggling like herself.  

“I think it’s incredible and I hope that students really value this scholarship because it’s coming from someone who’s been in their shoes and it’s from someone that understands where they’re at,” said Atwood. “But also, she’s dealing with all the things involved with taking classes at the same time working full time and raising a family. I think that’s inspirational just to say you can do it, and I believe in you with a scholarship.”

Vice President of External Funding and Executive Director of the Jones College Alumni and Foundation, Sabrina Young said Chaney may be one of the youngest to establish a scholarship which will have a far-reaching impact.

“She sees how powerful education is and is giving back to others. Someone inspired and recognized her aspirations, and they gave her an opportunity to continue her education. That’s powerful. Giving to something that is bigger than all of us means you’re giving an opportunity to someone, and it is going to touch their life, their family’s lives, and their future family’s lives. I think it’s inspiring,” said Young.

Ironically, Chaney’s grandfather and father were cared for at the Asbury Hospice House, which is affiliated with the scholarship she was awarded at Jones. Chaney plans to name the annual scholarship she is establishing in honor of her father.

“He believed in me with all of his heart. I pray his kind and hardworking spirit is honored and has more meaning to impact others’ lives,” said Chaney. “When my grandfather and father passed away in the care of the Asbury Hospice House, I couldn’t have asked for better people to help my family during that time. Not only did they invest in my education, but they also provided exceptional care for our family.”

Current Jones College students have through April 15, to apply for Foundation scholarships like Chaney’s newly established scholarship on the Foundation website, https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/scholarships/

ELLISVILLE- Seventeen of the nineteen Jones College students that competed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State competition in Biloxi, Mississippi, came home winners.  They all placed first or second in their competitive events, qualifying them for national competition in May, in Dallas, Texas. During the three-day conference, each student competed in two business-related events. The events ranged from Fundamentals of Accounting and Economics to Foundations of Technology and Public Speaking.

“Sixteen of the students will be going to the three-day national conference and competition in Dallas,” said Jones College’s FBLA Advisor, David Ray.  “These students worked very hard, and we are excited to see what they can do at the national level in two months.”

Alyse Lunsford of Laurel placed first in Foundations of Accounting. Elisa Cook of Meridian earned first place honors in Impromptu Speaking and partnered with Ollie Hammonds of Laurel to place second in Emerging Business Issues. Ollie also placed second in Impromptu Speaking. Ollie and Elisa partnered in a third event, State of Chapter, which showcases Jones FBLA clubs’ accomplishments for the year, which they came home with first place in that event. 

Enterprise’s Riley Smith placed first in Foundations of Economics as well as second place in Foundations of Accounting. Placing first in the Technology and Computer Science Case Competition, was the team of Tyler Freeman of Waynesboro, Lindsey Hull of Brandon, Ethan Noffke of Oak Grove, and Connor Perkins of Petal. Tyler also placed first in Foundations of Computer Science. Additionally, Lindsey placed third in Foundations of Cybersecurity and Ethan placed third in Foundations of Technology.

Elliot Sholtz of Gulfport placed first in Job Interview and third in Entrepreneurship Pitch while Emily Ponce of Morton received first place in Public Speaking. Ocean Spring’s Samantha Jordan placed first in Business Ethics and also teamed up with Jayla Jones of Quitman to take first place in Marketing, Sales, and Communications Case Study. Jayla also received second place in Foundations of Sports Management and Marketing. Laurel’s Regan Shoemaker took home second place in Business Presentation. Waynesboro’s Tanika Norsworthy placed second in Foundations of Computer Science and third in Foundations of Communications. Zion Cooper of Waynesboro teamed up with D’Angelo McLaurin of Collins to earn second place in the Entrepreneurship Pitch event. Leakesville’s Eliza Holder placed first in Computer Applications. Caleb Fairley of Mount Olive received fourth place in Business Presentation, while Ellisville’s Evan Nix received fourth place in Foundations of Technology.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s music faculty and Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge, along with Associate Directors of Band, Dr. Josh Frans and Dr. Lindsey Keay will be featured in a Faculty Recital on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. The three will be collaborating together with Frans playing various percussion instruments as the accompaniment to Keay on flute, and Burge on alto saxophone. Frans’ solo pieces will feature the marimba, vibraphone, and a multi-percussion performance that uses an electronic accompaniment.

“The composer, Andy Akiho who is a leading percussion composer, wrote this piece, ‘Stop Speaking’ about 10 years ago before AI, but he uses Word to type or compose the track, then he chose the voice, Vicky to voice it. There is no time signature or meter, so everything is based on the pattern of the speech, which is more challenging, and I had to learn a new way to practice the piece. I had to listen to the track and figure out the spacing between the words,” said Frans.

In addition to the distinctive use of technology in Frans’ solo, the free recital will feature a wide variety of genres of music including, jazz, tango, classical lyrical tunes and popular pieces to things you don’t always hear in a typical recital. Besides hearing different combinations of instruments playing together, the trio will be incorporating interesting techniques into their performances. One piece of obscure music influenced by Middle Eastern culture called, “Devil Dance,” is a duet featuring Frans on an Egyptian hand drum called a darbuka as Keay will be using extended techniques on her flute which many music students don’t usually have the opportunity to hear or learn.

“It’s a technique where you vocalize or sing and play at the same time. The tone is not full and it’s not like a real tone which sounds a little creepy. It’s something our audience will not typically hear and even our students will get to hear something they don’t come across in their own repertoire just yet. So, maybe it will give our students something to strive towards, although I do make my students sing and play in their lessons. It’s a technique that I think is helpful, but they may not have done a piece where they have to do that and so to see it in real time will be inspiring, I hope,” said Keay.

Despite the fact the three have been working together for the last six years, this will be the first time they will be performing together for a faculty recital.

“We are very excited to present this program so that our students can see us on the stage!” said Burge. “We spend our time coaching them for these moments and we believe that this is a great opportunity for them to watch us as well.”

The trio shared that performing for their students keeps them sharp. In fact, as the audience enjoys the varied works and displays of unique musical techniques, the Faculty Recital really serves as a continued learning experience for both the music faculty and their students.

As Frans explained, “You never stop being a student and you never stop learning. Once you think you’ve got it, then somebody else is out there moving forward and you become irrelevant. We don’t want that for our students, and they came here to study with us because we’re still out there performing, and we are still relevant in the professional world and still have connections that can help them in the future with letters of recommendation and making introductions and networking.”

To view the live performance, check out the Jones College School of Art, Music and Performance social media.

ELLISVILLE – It’s the story as old as time, inspiring books and theatrical performances globally and continues today. The story of loving someone different, prejudice and rivalry as inspired by William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, and the more current, 1950’s Broadway hit, “West Side Story,” will come to Ellisville in April. Jones College’s Theater Department is performing the musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents, on Friday and Saturday, April 4 & 5 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets cost $15 for premium seats and $10 for the upper theater section and are available online at https://www.jcjc.edu/tickets/  Watch for ticket discounts on the Jones College Art, Music and Performance social media.

Jones College’s musical theater production of West Side Story features a cast of about 30 singers and dancers with some veteran performers returning to the stage. Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith is also directing and producing the show with his students enrolled in the Musical Theater class handling other aspects of the show like stage prop design and managing ad sales. Leading the student driven production on stage are Daniel Baldwin of Magee as Tony, and Kiandra Lopez of Laurel, as Maria. Both students were in last spring’s production of Grease, along with Nick Singleterry of Oak Grove, who plays Riff in West Side Story.

“Kiandra was Rizzo, Daniel was Doody and part of the reason we chose this production is because we could see them in these roles,” said Smith. “Maria is a very challenging role, and Kiandra has got to be a true soprano in this role. She hasn’t done that in the past with us, but she’s got the ability to do it and she’s amazing. Daniel was born to play Tony. It’s just who he is. He’s that mild, leading man, that’s just, you know, there to find love.”

Finding love could prove difficult as the different factions fight for dominance in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, which was a multi-racial, blue-collar neighborhood in the 1950s. The musical depicts the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different backgrounds. The Sharks are migrants from Puerto Rico and the Jets, are white and are fighting for dominance in the neighborhood. Baldwin plays a former member of the Jets while Singleterry plays the gang leader who is still best friends with Baldwin’s character.

“I love the loyalty and courage that Tony displays,” shared Baldwin. “However, in some ways yes, it is hard for me to act out the character of Tony because he is very different from me. He is very impulsive and a helpless romantic. However, playing Tony has been my dream role since the first time I saw the play. West Side Story has always been my favorite musical to watch!”

Playing Maria was appealing to Lopez for a few reasons. She explained she enjoys how innocent and naive her character is, giving her the opportunity to think back to when she was also very naive and always in her world of “make believe.”

“Maria is also kind of hard for me to play because of some of the things I’ve gone through and singing in a heavy alto voice compared to Maria’s light soprano voice has been a big challenge for me,” said Lopez. “Also, being a part of Grease last year made me want the chance to sing and act on stage again with all of my castmates. I knew playing Maria would give me the chance to step out of my comfort zone to find new parts of me I didn’t know existed.”

Joining the main cast is a freshman from Petal, Korey Raines who plays Bernardo. His character is the leader of the Sharks and Baldwin’s character falls in love with his sister, Maria. Returning to the stage is sophomore Ella Jolly of Petal, playing Bernardo’s love interest, Anita. Two Jones College employees, Luke Hammonds and Stephen Parker, are joining the JC students. Hammonds brings his diverse acting skills to the JC stage portraying Officer Krupke, with Stephen Parker taking on the part of Lieutenant Schrank.

“This is a classic musical and we’re portraying it in a classic style, but it’s been retold in recent years through the eyes of Steven Spielberg with a movie version. We want the audience to see the depth of character that our students can portray because they’re capable of really diving into deeper storylines,” said Smith. “There are no curse words in the script, but there are some racial words that were used in the 1950s that are still in the script today.”

In addition to the memorable songs and exciting choreography, the focus on the social problems of the period is relevant to this day. Baldwin said, “I hope the audience takes away a sense of passion and importance of this play. It shows a very divided culture and the negative impacts that it can have on a society.”

Lopez has some additional thoughts for the audience to contemplate while enjoying the show. “I would like the audience to leave with the fact that no matter our skin tone and no matter our upbringing we all grieve the same. When you think you are alone there are so many people in the world experiencing the same hurt and problems that you are also going through.” 

Purchasing tickets now, before the show sells out is encouraged with a maximum of 1100 seats available for each performance. Ads in the JC Playbill program are also available for businesses to purchase through the School of Art, Music and Performance. Check the Jones College, School of Art, Music, and Performance website and social media pages for details prior to the performance. For more information about Jones College’s School of Art, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.

West Side Story Cast, Crew & Ensemble

Director/Producer- Bruce Smith

Choreographer- Rachel Appleby

Character-Jones College Student, Hometown  High School

Action- Isaiah Spradley, Laurel                     Homeschool

Anita- Ella Jolly, Petal                                          Petal High School

Anxious- Kaleb Jasper, Taylorsville               West Jones High School

Anybodys- Anne Trest, Laurel                  West Jones High School (Current H.S. student)

A-Rab/Glad Hand- Peyton Shoemaker, Morton     Morton High School

Baby John- Charles Williams, Laurel                       West Jones High School

Bernardo- Korey Rainey, Petal                                 Petal High School

Big Deal- Ryan Sherman, Waynesboro                Wayne Academy

Chino- Samah Ratcliffe, Soso                                   West Jones High School

Clarice- Sydney Klaire Ivy, Raleigh                        Raleigh High School

Consuela-Teyonna Millsap, Laurel                       Laurel High School

Diesel-Matthew Arnold, Laurel            Northeast Jones High School

Doc- Sydnee Tisdale, Ellisville              South Jones High School

Estella- Addie Thames, Petal                South Jones High School

Francisca- Leila Daniels, Meridian      Forrest County AHS

Graziella- Chloe White, Laurel         Northeast Jones High School

Indo/Snowboy- Patricia Mitchell, Seminary   Seminary High School

Luis- Zion B. Cooper, Waynesboro        Wayne County High School

Margarita- Lexie Ruth, Ellisville          Laurel Christian School

Maria- Kiandra Lopez, Laurel             West Jones High School

Minnie- Zoe Vanderslice, Stringer   Laurel Christian School

Moose- Leo Norman, Ellisville         South Jones High School

Pauline- Natalie Evans, Ellisville        South Jones High School

Pepe- Bryce Jasper, Laurel                 West Jones High School

Riff- Nicholas D. Singleterry, Hattiesburg        Oak Grove High School

Teresita- Emalee Herrin, Laurel        Northeast Jones High School

Tony- Daniel Baldwin, Magee       Homeschool

Toro- Daryn Tran, Ellisville             South Jones High School

Velma- Heather Walters, Ellisville       South Jones High School

Officer Krupke- Luke Hammonds, Ellisville   ones College employee

Lt. Schrank- Stephen Parker, Laurel        Jones College employee

Due to the anticipated severe weather, Jones College is modifying its operations to prioritize the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community. Please review the following updates carefully:

• All night classes will transition to virtual learning. Students should log in to their courses via Canvas for further instructions.
• All Jones College locations will close at 5:00 p.m., including:
  • Jones College Main Campus, Ellisville, MS
  • JC Clarke County Center, Stonewall, MS
  • JC Greene County Center, Leakesville, MS
  • JC Jasper County Center, Bay Springs, MS
  • JC Wayne County Center, Waynesboro, MS
  • Advanced Technology Center, Ellisville, MS
• Dormitories and food services will remain operational.
• All athletic events and student activities have been postponed to a later date.

We encourage all employees to prioritize safety and stay informed by monitoring local weather updates. Any further updates regarding campus operations will be shared via the Jones College website, email, social media channels, and local news outlets.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to safety.