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ELLISVILLE – The newly launched AccelerateMS High School Workforce Welding pilot program that allowed three Jones County High School Seniors to earn Workforce Welding Certificates last spring also earned the Instant Impact Award. At the AccelerateMS’s 2024 Mississippi Horizons Innovation and Strategy Symposium, Jones College’s Business Development Manager for Workforce College, Becky Collins brought home the handcrafted Instant Impact Award trophy which recognized the contributions the High School Workforce College program is having on area industry and students.

“We were surprised to learn we were nominated for this award,” explained Collins. “Last spring, two students from Northeast Jones and one from South Jones High School earned the Workforce Welding Certificate at Jones College and went on to work in the field and one is also taking classes.”

Because of their success, more high school students in the region have access to this program. The Jones County Economic Development Authority’s Career Coach, Kalyn Patterson is recruiting students and exposing them to a world of options. Patterson explained partnering with Jones College’s Workforce College program for high school students was a very exciting opportunity for her and her students.

“Career Coaches fall under the AccelerateMS program as a tool to get high school students prepared for a professional environment after they graduate from high school. We were able to partner with Jones College to connect them to opportunities like this, where they’re gaining those credentials and building those skills to be ready for their career,” explained Patterson. “A lot of our high school students leave class early and to utilize that spare time we connect them to programs like this to earn these credentials and be successful.”

Jones College’s Workforce Welding instructor, Tracy Warden said students start out learning welding as a baseline for the program. They will also leave with the Forklift Certification, OSHA 10 Certification, and the nationally recognized certification, First Aid-CPR Defibrillator.

“This is all done in an effort to make them all more employable and more visible to employers,” said Warden. “Also, it lets students know they have options if welding isn’t what they want to do for a living. They can be a material handler and now, we have more programs high school students can earn certifications in.”

Currently, the High School Workforce College program supported by AcclerateMS includes fiber optic technician training, the utility line worker program, commercial truck driving and welding. For more information about this program call 601-477-5408 or email, workforce@jcjc.edu

ELLISVILLE – As Jones College students finish their second week of classes, administrators are seeing some programs are at capacity as enrollment rises to new records for the first time in nine years. Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith said enrollment numbers have spiked because of a concerted effort in overcoming the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic and issues with FAFSA, the federal financial aid application process.

“We chose a different approach this fall by simplifying the process and reducing our tuition as much as possible,” explained Smith. “We may be one of the few colleges in America that has actually reduced the overall cost to attend college by offering one price for full time students and one price for part time students. There are no fees, nothing. No parking fees, registration fees, lab fees, nothing, which makes it easier for families to understand and get on board.”

According to the enrollment numbers on the fifth day of classes, 4,936 students were in class which is an increase of 8.06 percent from fall 2023. That is an increase of 368 students compared to the previous year. The number of semester credit hours has also increased by 5.74 percent with 62,006 compared to the fall of 2023 with 58,638 credit hours. The biggest increases can be found in the career and technical education (CTE) programs with an increase of 12.73 percent in the number of students taking these courses and an increase of 16.73 percent in the number of CTE semester credit hours.

“We attribute a lot of this to the fact the spotlight has been on career and technical trades nationwide and the impact of the skills gap in this country and in the state. More people are seeing value in career and technical education and are enrolling in more programs,” said VP of Instruction, Rod Tolbert.

Seventeen of the 31 CTE programs are completely full, and the biggest increase of all the CTE programs at 26 percent can be found in the Industrial Services programs at Jones College.  Especially popular are the welding, heating and air conditioning, diesel mechanics, and the utility lineman programs.

“Our goal this fall was to fill as many of these programs as we could because employers are telling us they need these employees,” Tolbert said. “We’re trying desperately to help meet these demands and we’ve made some pretty big strides with our Career Services department and connecting employers with our teachers and making sure our students begin with the end in mind when they enroll. We’re looking at employment opportunities from day one.”

Enrollment continues until Friday, August 30, at Jones College. To enroll in online courses or short-term courses contact the Jones College Enrollment Management Office at 601-477-4257 and for more information click on the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/

ELLISVILLE – As part of Convocation and Bobcat Bash festivities during the first week of classes, the Jones College freshman class was challenged by Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith to “go for the gold!” like the U.S.A. Olympic Team. Earning a record 126 total number of medals in the world at the recent Olympic Games in Paris, Team U.S.A. dominated with 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals.  

“What an opportunity we have in America,” said Smith. “I’m challenging you to go for the gold. The U.S. is the greatest country in the world, and you may be the greatest generation we’ve ever had. My challenge to you is to make it happen. Be the greatest generation this country has ever had!”

With those words of inspiration, students, faculty and staff enjoyed an evening of music as The Mustache Band performed on Centennial Plaza, outside the C.L. Neill Student Center.

“I’m so excited to be here!” said freshman Gracyn White of Gulfport. “This really brings all the freshmen, and really everyone together to enjoy the night and have fun!”

The Mustache Band members also enjoyed passing out their signature mustache to the crowd as they performed 90s country music.

ELLISVILLE – The Jones College Livestock Show Team is excited to be fully moved into the new Show Barn on campus which was completed last spring. Students groom and train the Red Angus heifers in the 144-foot x 60-foot facility which features a large wash rack with hot and cold water, eight large animal stalls and six small animal stalls, with large animal turnouts, an outdoor kitchen, front porch, feed room, two bathrooms, and an office.

“We are super excited about being able to use the new show barn on campus. The students have enjoyed working in it already this year,” said Leanne Kilgore, the Livestock & Agriculture Science instructor and Show Team advisor. “In a few weeks, we will start halter breaking our first set of calves that have been raised on the JC Farm for the show team. The new facility allows the team to care for and house eight head of cattle with ease.”

This year’s Livestock Show Team consists of nine experienced and knowledgeable individuals from across the state who have been showing livestock since their youth. Working together over the next few months as a team allows the group to hone their leadership skills and prepare for competition.

“Students are responsible for the daily care and feeding of the animals. They spend many hours each week working with these animals preparing them for the show ring,” said Kilgore. “This spring, we’ll attend four shows including the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky and end the competition season in Houston at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.”

The team did exceptionally well in Houston last spring, winning Reserve Division, Champion Division, and Reserve Grand Champion Red Angus Female Grand Reserve Red Angus. At Cattlemen’s Congress the team exhibited three heads of cattle with two, placing 2nd, and one, placed 4th. All of the JC Livestock Show Team will also attend the Mississippi Youth Expo in Jackson and the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Freshman, Kade Lott of Hattiesburg may be majoring in petroleum engineering but his experience on the farm should help the team continue to be successful.

“I started showing pigs when I was five years old. I grew up in the industry and over the past few years, I’ve done really well,” said Lott. “I’ve also shown cattle, mostly shorthorn heifers and show steers. I love traveling and I want to get the college’s name out even more.”

Sophomore Sadie Morris of Batesville said she is ready to return to the ring as a team and continue to bring home more honors. Being a member of the JC Livestock Show Team also allows the animal science major more opportunities for her career.

“I have met more people in addition to expanding my education in the livestock and the agriculture world. The Livestock Show Team is helping me to decide what I want to do in the future,” said Morris.

Also returning to the ring with more experiences and a special distinction is Grant Goree of Lorena. The poultry science sophomore proudly represented Mississippi at the American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet contest in Omaha, Nebraska last spring.

In addition to being on the JC Livestock Show Team, Bailey Blakeney of Magee is also an officer for Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. The Agribusiness major’s goal is to work at Mississippi Farm Bureau after graduating from Mississippi State University.

“This opportunity on the Team has given me the chance to get out of my comfort zone and make connections that will last a lifetime,” said Blakeney.

Sophomore Chase Boone of Raleigh hopes to continue to find success in the ring. In addition to being on the Livestock Show Team, the Agribusiness and Poultry Science major is an active member of the Student Government Association. After earning his degree, Boone plans to own and manage his own farm.

New members of the JC Livestock Show Team bring a variety of experiences to the show barn. Oak Grove High School graduate and a member of PTK, Kylie Graves explained, “Being on the state’s only Livestock Show Team is a special honor. I hope to learn more about marketing within the livestock show industry.” Her future plans include majoring in Agriculture Communications and Marketing.

Quitman’s Paige Hagwood was a member of the Beta Club, HOSA and National Technical Honor Society in high school. At Jones College, she hopes to use her experience showing cattle to help her as a sports medicine major.

Hannah Jones of Flora is thrilled to be able to continue working in the show ring and with cattle as a freshman at Jones. The Agriculture Business and Poultry Science major plans to work as a photographer in the future.

Former Simpson Academy football player and Senior Class Favorite, Will Smith is an Agriculture Business major from Magee. The JC freshman’s plans include going to Mississippi State University to further his education.

For more information about the Livestock Show Team click on the link: https://www.jcjc.edu/livestock_showteam/ and to learn more about the agriculture related programs at Jones College click on the websites, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/agricultural/, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/poultryscience/

ELLISVILLE – The Jones College Typhoon Marching Band is led by four students who are academic achievers and familiar with being in the spotlight. Returning sophomores, Hannah Latham of Sandersville and Braden Yarber of Ellisville both led their high school bands and were tops in their class. Latham was also the Show Choir Captain and a cheerleader. Her peers selected her as Miss Northeast Jones, and she was honored by being selected for the Hall of Fame. The education major shared being a Jones College Drum Major has been a special privilege.

“Being a drum major at JC has been one of the greatest and most rewarding things I have experienced. I have met so many amazing people and I have made so many friendships that will last a lifetime. This band, the people who make it happen, will always have a special place in my life,” said Latham.

Braden Yarber has also enjoyed success in the classroom and landed in the Top Ten of the Class of 2023 at South Jones High School. The former Beta Club member and Tennis Team Captain juggled the demands of being the Drum Major for the nationally ranked Braves Band. At Jones College, Yarber will pursue a degree in the medical sciences field at USM after graduating from JC in May. Over the summer, he had the opportunity to enjoy another aspect of the “band world” as a member of the colorguard for the prestigious Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corp. Based out of Denver, Colorado, the nationally touring marching arts ensemble competes in Drum Corps International World Class. The group of performers from across the country create a live musical marching performance incorporating brass and percussion instruments with highly choreographed dance and movement.

Freshman, Elisa Cook of Meridian has been in the spotlight in various ways. In the realm of band, Cook was the Clarkdale High School Drum Major for two years and was honored to earn the MHSAA Superior Drum Major title. Additionally, she has been a member of the Marching and Concert Bands at Clarkdale High School, as well as a member of the basketball team and President of the FBLA. Her peers voted her as the Junior Homecoming Maid in 2022. Currently, Cook is the reigning Miss Black Queen City Talented Teen, and she has her sights on being the next Miss Black Mississippi USA Talented Teen.

“I am competing for this opportunity to promote my platform, ‘Confidence is in You: Leadership Development for the Youth.’ My platform is to encourage children and teenagers to become great leaders which includes learning to communicate, speak in public, be encouraging, and to be an overall role model for others. I was a shy young girl and since then, I’ve been in many leadership roles like being a drum major for the Jones College Typhoon! This opportunity has helped me meet new people, build my leadership skills, public speaking skills, communication skills and create beautiful memories,” shared Cook.  

Northeast Jones High School graduate and member of the marching, jazz and concert bands, Chaz Welborn has distinguished himself in a unique way. The Ellisville resident is a Mississippi Scholars Award recipient and he graduated from Northeast Jones High School with a Distinguished Academic Endorsement, and the Marine Corps “Semper Fidelis” Award. Welborn volunteers his lawn scaping talents with his neighbors and friends and aspires to earn a degree in computer science. These drum majors’ first public appearance leading the Typhoon Marching Band will be on Thursday, August 29, when Jones College hosts Mississippi Delta in football at 7 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field.