Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – Four Jones College sophomore music students are inviting the public to hear their last solo performances before graduation.  Sophomores expected to perform are Leo Norman of Ellisville, Madeline Russell of Columbia, Jessica Manning of Quitman and Trinity Williams of Brooklyn.

On Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in the Foote Chapel, soprano, Madeline Russell will join tuba player, Leo Norman for their individual final performances. Dr. Theresa Sanchez will accompany both sophomores on piano for their performances. Dr. Susan Smith has been Russell’s instructor and Caleb Owenby has been Norman’s instructor.

The following Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. in the Foote Chapel, saxophonist Jessica Manning of Quitman will be joining Trinity Williams for their sophomore recitals. Dr. Theresa Sanchez will accompany Manning on piano and Dr. Victoria Johnson will be accompanying Williams. Dr. Ben Burge has been instructing Manning and Owenby has been William’s instructor at Jones College.  

The recitals are free and open to the public. These performances are a part of the sophomore music student’s degree requirements for Jones College. For more information about the JC music program or the sophomore recitals call the College of Arts, Music and Performance at 601-477-4203.

ELLISVILLE – Twenty years have passed since the Jones College spring dance team, “Gold Rush” has competed regionally, but they haven’t missed a beat! The 14-member dance team competed in the American All-Star Mardi Gras Classic held in New Orleans and took home first place in the Jazz and Game Day Categories. Additionally, they won the Overall Technique Award for their Game Day Routine.

“This is a very special group of dancers. They have worked very hard, and it has been a pleasure to coach them,” said Lora Davis, Jones College Dance Team Director. “Sometimes teams come along that capture your heart! I am beyond proud of Gold Rush and they’re representation of Jones College and the Maroon Typhoon! I am beyond proud of these dancers and overwhelmed by their intense work and dedication this semester!  Ben Burge, (Jones College Director of Bands) huge thanks to you for all you do to continue the success of this program!!”

Gold Rush team members are led by sophomore co-captains, Kelly Biglane-Ellisville and Taylor Garretson-Leakesville. The team is made up of Jones College students, Alex Grace Rogers-Copiah County; Sadie Jones-Taylorsville; Xoe Lockhart-Carriere; Mallory Anderson-Petal; Josie Young-Petal; Grace Frey-Petal; Kylee Hicks-Laurel; Isabella Hammond-Laurel; Kayla Hamil-Ellisville; Bailie Bishop-Laurel and Harleigh Fortenberry-Ellisville.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College art students received a “masterclass” from Jackson native and artist, Traci Stover, who spent the afternoon discussing how she developed her skills and what drawing means to her. The University of Southern Mississippi professor currently lives in Hattiesburg and was the featured artist showcasing her artwork at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at Jones College through March 22, 2024.

Stover is known for combining her love for gardening and jazz music, and allowing the music to influence how the lines are drawn in her sketches. Encouraging Jones College students to be freer with drawing, Stover explained, the power of a line in drawing is allowing it to just flow.

In April, Sophomore Art students will have their work on display for the last art show in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery. The Annual Sophomore Art Exhibition will be open to the public beginning on Monday, April 1, through April 26.

For more information about upcoming JC art shows 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. To learn 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 – In the Jones College Winterguard’s second year of existence, they are beginning the season on solid footing by winning “Bronze” or third place at the WGI Huntsville show in the Independent “A” classification, the last weekend of February. This was the team’s first regional competition of the season, but not the first competition. The Winterguard schedule started in Brandon, before the Huntsville regional competition. They competed in Biloxi and Flowood, and are now headed to San Antonio, Texas, before the season culminates in Jackson, for the state championships. 

“This is a moment of immense pride and accomplishment for our program and this achievement in Huntsville becomes even more significant as we stood closely behind two WGI Independent “A” class finalists, demonstrating the caliber of competition we faced as well marking our first national level achievement in this classification. Competing alongside such accomplished groups has been an inspiring experience, and our team’s ability to rise to the occasion is a testament to their hard work and commitment,” said Jones College Winterguard Director, Meredith Owen.

The program is entitled, “The Way it Was,” and features 17 Jones College students utilizing flags and other props. The team consist of, Campbrelle Bryant, Laurel; Ceilia Burkett, Florence; Paige Farve, Laurel; Arielle Grimaldo, Ellisville; Martha Hernandez, Ellisville; Alisha Hudson, Laurel; Jaynia Keyes, Hattiesburg; Gabi Lopez, Ridgeland; Kaylee McWilliams, Magee; Kaylee Moss, Ellisville; Charlee Norman, Ellisville; Adamaris Rivera, Laurel; Gynesis Rivers, Newton; Olivia Roberts, Ellisville; Layken Valentine, Ellisville; Emily Wicker, Magee and Braden Yarber, Ellisville. This team of freshmen and sophomore members competed against teams from Atlanta and Clarksville, Tennessee.

“We are so proud of these students!” said Jones College Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge. “They have represented Jones College on the national stage and earned Bronze in a tough line up. I am excited to see how they end up at the San Antonio show and in State Championships.”

As with each competition, team members will build upon the lessons learned from this competition to help fuel their determination to refine skills, enhance creativity, and strengthen their collaborative spirit. Owen said their program has demonstrated its potential, and she is confident that they are well-positioned for continued growth and success moving into the final two weeks of the competitive season.

“We will be traveling over spring break (March 11-15) to compete at WGI San Antonio before returning home to compete in the Mississippi Indoor Association Championships in Jackson, on March 24,” said Owen. “This group has been such troopers! We have overcome many obstacles from facility issues to even worse. They are overcomers and I am proud to be their coach.”

Members of the Jones College Winterguard

Campbrelle Bryant, Laurel

Ceilia Burkett, Florence

Paige Farve, Laurel

Arielle Grimaldo, Ellisville

Martha Hernandez, Ellisville

Alisha Hudson, Laurel

Jaynia Keyes, Hattiesburg

Gabi Lopez, Ridgeland

Kaylee McWilliams, Magee

Kaylee Moss, Ellisville

Charlee Norman, Ellisville

Adamaris Rivera, Laurel

Gynesis Rivers, Newton

Olivia Roberts, Ellisville

Layken Valentine, Ellisville

Emily Wicker, Magee

Braden Yarber, Ellisville

ELLISVILLE – Southern District Transportation Commissioner, Charles Busby hand delivered a check to Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith and Assistant to the President for Facilities Management, Michael Bradshaw to begin a sixth project using the federal Transportation Alternative Program grant funds which are administered through the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Phase two of the Stadium Circle Sidewalk Improvement project will provide 1,100 feet of sidewalk pathways and lighting from the Home and Health Services Building, along The Community Bank Park Baseball and Softball fields, to the Industrial Services Center parking lot.

“This project will provide walking paths with lighting alongside the athletic fields, making it safer for students and the public to access the stadiums,” said Commissioner Busby. “We have to take applications for these projects, so it is very important to me that they be properly executed, and Jones College has a great track record. The quality of the application packet gives me confidence that this project is going to be as successful as the others.”

The total cost of the second phase of the project is $665,821 with $540,000 coming from federal funds and Jones College matching the remaining 20% of the total amount. In addition to adding the sidewalks, which will be ADA compliant, the improvements will enhance connectivity between the surrounding buildings and recreational facilities on the south side of Jones College’s campus, allowing for safe travel across the streets from the dorms and stadiums.

“The TAP Grant program helps us leverage those available funds with the help of Transportation Commissioner Busby,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith. “We’re thankful Commissioner Busby hand delivered the check and informed us we met the rigid protocols required to receive these funds.”

Phase one of the Stadium Circle Sidewalk Improvements from Smith Hall to the Sim Cooley/Bobcat Football Stadium should begin this summer with the second phase of construction beginning in the summer of 2025. Jones College was awarded the first TAP Grant to close the heavily traveled road in front of the C.L. Neill Student Center and Cafeteria to create the Pedestrian Plaza in 2017. The second and third TAP grants extended the Plaza to include Dan Jones North and South, and College Drive, east in front of the A.B. Howard Gymnasium. The Soccer Pathway Project, which was completed in 2023, was created using funds from the fourth TAP grant secured by the college.