Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Advanced Technology Center will be offering the Certified Fiber Optic Installer course through Workforce Development during the summer session.  Currently, four college employees are being trained to teach the class which would be a 40-hour course offered at the Advanced Technology Center in Ellisville.

“We’re always looking for career paths that have a family sustaining wage. Students that successfully complete the course can expect to make $20 to $27 an hour as a starting wage for this in-demand skill,” said Webb Evans, the Dean of the Advanced Technology Center at Jones College. “We know that ‘fiber’ is not going away and most of our electric cooperatives are currently installing the fiber broadband infrastructure.”

The Fiber School is currently training the “trainers” for the new course, which includes Jones College electrical technology instructor, Seth Pierce. With 20 years of experience in the electrical field before becoming a teacher, Pierce is excited about offering this new skill to help meet the growing demand in this field.

“Offering this course on the workforce side means students can take the 40-hour class and go straight into the workforce with a local contractor or the electrical cooperatives,” said Pierce. “Fiber optics is new to me; it is similar to electrical but there’s new equipment involved. However, having this fiber optic skillset may even be added to our electrical program on the academic side because technicians are still going to be needed to service and maintain the fiber optic infrastructure.”

Upon successful completion of the Fiber Optic Installation Training Course, graduates of the program will be able to layout, install or maintain fiber optic cabling systems. The fiber optic installer will be able to demonstrate a practical knowledge of fiber optic theory, codes, standards, and practices widely accepted in the fiber optics industry.  This course includes classroom and hands-on-training, including cable preparations, fusion splicing, OTDR and optic loss testing in addition to all the requirements to safely and competently install, maintain and test fiber optic cabling systems.

Available Certifications after passing the exam include The Fiber School CFI (TFS CFI) Certification, Electronics Technician Association (ETAFOI) Certification and the Optical Dispersion Measurement (ODM) Certification, and all are InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) recognized globally.  For more information about the Certified Fiber Optic Installer course at Jones College, email Webb Evans at webb.evans@jcjc.edu or call the Jones College Advanced Technology Center at 601-477-4114.

ELLISVILLE – Nearly 650 of the more than 700 students eligible to graduate are participating in the 95^th annual Commencement Ceremony at Jones College. Graduates and guests will hear from the Honorable Delbert Hosemann, Mississippi’s Lieutenant Governor, as the keynote speaker for graduation held on Friday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held on the North Lawn of Jones Hall with plans to move the event to the A.B. Howard/Bobcat Gymnasium if there is inclement weather.

This ceremony will also mark the first class of the new, Middle College Program at Laurel High school with seven Laurel High School students earning both their high school diploma and an associate degree from Jones College. These students, Micah Evyn Johnson Hill, Zipporah Kenzie Husband, Gabrielle E. Peters, Leslie Santiago, Milan Shanks, Alayna Kathleen Smith, Aubreney Alexis Stenson and Amiah White finished their high school requirements simultaneously while attending college courses to complete a two-year degree.

Seating will be first come first serve with a large crowd expected to support graduates participating in the ceremony. Graduates will receive either, an associate in arts degree, associate in applied science degree, a technical certificate, or a career certificate. To watch the ceremony live, check the website, http://www.jcjc.edu/   For questions specifically regarding the 2023 graduation ceremony, please contact Kacie Birdsong at 601-477-4137.

The Honorable Delbert Hosemann is serving as Mississippi’s 33rd Lieutenant Governor after previously serving as Secretary of State from 2008 until 2020. He was first elected to the Lt. Governor post in November 2019, after earning more than 60 percent of the vote.

Under his leadership, the Senate has implemented the largest tax cut in the State’s history, raised educator pay, invested more than $1 billion in Mississippi’s roads and bridges, increased training opportunities for high-skill jobs through our community colleges, and retooled economic development incentives to be competitive and performance-based. As the President of the 52-member State Senate, he remains committed to making Mississippi an even better place for our children and grandchildren.

Raised in Warren County, Mississippi, Lt. Governor Hosemann comes to the position with substantial experience in the private sector as a businessman. He is a former partner of Phelps Dunbar, LLP. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, a law degree from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University. Prior to attending law school, Lt. Governor Hosemann served his country in the United States Army Reserve.

In his spare time, Lt. Governor Hosemann is an avid hunter and runner, completing both the New York Marathon and

the Boston Marathon. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association and a past recipient of the NRA’s Kirk Fordice Freedom Award, and he is a member of the Delta Wildlife Foundation and Ducks Unlimited.

He and Lynn, his wife of 52 years, are members of St. Richard Catholic Church. They are extremely proud of their three children: Kristen, Chad, and Mark; and grandchildren Grace, Nora Lynn, Carson, Charlie, Manse, Charlotte, Howard Delbert, and Robert.

ELLISVILLE – Two Jones College sophomore art majors earned ribbons for their artwork submitted to the Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association’s statewide student art show. Jonathan Hayes of Ellisville earned the top award with a Blue Ribbon for his 3D sculpture called, “I Told You So.”

“It’s hard to describe but the judges called it shapeless and dark,” explained Hayes. “It’s one of my favorite pieces that is mostly made of paper mâché and some mat boards. Inspired by the newspaper comic strips I had access to, I carefully placed them to produce a feeling, a message about how disappointed I am with the way the current politics are turning now.”

His award winning sculpture, along with some of his drawings will be on display during the Sophomore Art Show, which is open now until May 1, in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery. Viewers will also have the chance to see Laurel’s Bryanna Davidson’s drawings and ceramics. She won a 3^rd place ribbon for her charcoal drawing of teeth. Jones College Art instructor, Melanie Banks said this year’s show features a little bit of everything from the classes students take on campus from drawing and design to ceramics and paintings, we cover all those bases.

“The Exhibit Class art majors are solid artists, producing lots of creative things. The future is bright for them, and I’m excited about where they are going with their art. I hope the public takes the time to see their artwork,” said Eubanks.

Raleigh’s Brice Johnson fills a lot of the gallery with his varied pottery and sculpture pieces in addition to drawings and paintings.

“It’s stuff from my life and what I’ve seen and what it means to me. I’m sharing a little part of me with the community including some of my favorite bowls, bottles, old lanterns, and other uncommon things,” said Johnson.

Other sophomore artists’ work on display this month include the colorful drawings of Nolan Davis of Laurel, Aliyah Denham of Taylorsville, Neena French of Waynesboro, Atlas Hembree of Meridian, and Lindsey Hull of Alvin Texas/currently of Ellisville.

For more information about the JC art show 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. If you want to know more about the Jones College Art Department, go to the JC Art Department’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.

ELLISVILLE – Connections and music seemingly go hand in hand in the world of fine arts according to Jones College Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge. After a recital with the Topaz Trio, Burge’s freshman student, Jessica Manning of Quitman had the opportunity to receive a “masterclass” from a member of the trio and his former Mississippi State University saxophone professor, Dr. Gail Levinsky.

“I think it’s really interesting how connected we are in the music world. To have my former teacher teach my student is an example of that,” Burge explained. “It’s a really special thing and I’m very proud of my student, Jessica. She did a really good job!”

Levinsky focused on a couple of tips that could have a profound effect on Manning’s performance or different styles of playing. Admittedly, Manning said she learned a different style of performance and will have to relearn a few things.

“I really enjoyed how Dr. Levinsky broke it down in a different way I haven’t heard before,” said Manning. “A lot of the things that I’ve been doing for years, she changed which was a really new experience for me because I have been taking lessons in high school. I learned a new technique for everything today, which I have to relearn but I’m super excited about it.”

Levinsky currently serves on the faculty as Professor of Music at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Her performance credits, commissions and premieres include presentations both nationally and internationally. She earned her Master, Artist Certificate and Doctorate degrees from Northwestern University and has published varied saxophone chapters about teaching saxophone and recently completed a solo CD featuring music of women composers.

“It’s always a pleasure to have groups like this showcase their gifts and the students learn a lot,” said Burge.

Additionally, Burge’s college piano accompanist, Dr. Jackie Edwards Henry also performed with the trio. She has been the accompanist for the Topaz Trio since 2019, and has performed with her duet partner, Dr. Levinsky since 1994, nationally and internationally.

The third member of the group, oboist, Dr. Duso-Kitts is currently a professor of double reeds at the University of Central Arkansas and Conway Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with the Orquesta Philharmonica de Santa Cruz in Bolivia, Orquesta Sinfonica de Estado de Mexico and Orquesta Sinfonia de Jalapa in Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Music from Indiana University, her Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music and her DMA from the University of Michigan.  

ELLISVILLE – The inaugural Winterguard performing group, made up of 13 Jones College students ended the season recently earning the Mississippi Indoor Association Regional A Championships in addition to earning a Silver Medal from the Winter Guard International Gulfport Regional competitions. Jones College Winterguard is a team of 13 Cologuard members from the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band under the direction of the new, JC Colorguard Director, Meredith Owen.

“The team goes through an audition process after we finish the Marching Band season in December,” Owen explained. “I’ve started other Winterguard teams in high school and after the fall here at Jones, I thought there was a possibility Winterguard would work here too. After learning what these ladies were capable of, I knew it would be a great opportunity for them.”

Being fully committed in the fall and buying into Owen’s process proved to be very successful for the new team comprised of students from all three Jones County high schools, Mize in Smith County, and Florence and Northwest Rankin High Schools.

“It was very interesting we came from all different high schools, and you can see that in our different technique and personality but it’s also beautiful to see how that all blended,” shared Jones College freshman, Emma Jackson from Flowood. “You would expect a lot of drama, but we worked through it, and it felt more like a family, than a team. We worked so well together because of the relationships we’ve had with each other; we were honest with each other and didn’t hold back. We were open minded. It was wonderful to see how we molded together this perfect show because we were willing to be vulnerable with each other.”

Sophomore, Sheridan White from Laurel explained the group realized they were something different after the first competition. “After that, it was never a question of are we going to be good, we knew we were good, and it was nice to see the results of our hard work. The fact that we showed up and showed out every single day, made it magical because we earned the scores we really worked hard for.”

The Jones College Winterguard team practices three afternoons a week for two to two-and-a-half hours each session. This past season, Jones College competed five times in total with the number of competitions varying from year to year. The Mississippi Indoor Association (MIA) circuit included competitions at Harrison Central HS, Northwest Rankin HS, Pearl HS, and MIA Championships in Jackson, MS. The Winterguard group also performed the competition performance piece, “Silhouette,” a 3:47 minute performance to Grace Carter’s “Silhouette” in the Winter Guard International (WGI) Gulfport Regional. The JC Colorguard members’ show is about the heartbreak of relationships, developed by Owens and choreographer/designer, Mason Barnes.

“We got to tell our stories without saying words, and put everything we had into it. The performance is about being hurt during a heart break, losing somebody. We pulled from those emotions of heartbrokenness and put it into the show,” explained Ellisville freshman, Charlee Norman. “Next year, I’m looking forward to defending our title and getting to do this again. We do have a bullseye on our back, but we’re going to be more than ready as people begin looking for us next year!”

Competition is part of the program’s focus, however, Owen said there’s more to Winterguard, like camaraderie and fun. Also, as the team prepares to compete at the next level next fall, Owen explains it will be a little more challenging for the group with big rewards. Moving up to the Independent A level, has the JC Winterguard setting their eyes on a visit to the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.

“On the state level, there were several teams in the Independent A group, and nationally, there are about 50 teams we could face in Ohio if we make it,” Owen said. “We know of nine ladies who will return next year, and I hope they are just as committed as this group because I’m super blessed to have this group. It is an educator’s dream!”

While it’s Owen’s first year at Jones College, she has spent the last nine years as a freelance choreographer, clinician, adjudicator, and program consultant across the Southeast, as well as being a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in Denver, Colorado and the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in Lafayette, Louisiana. Owen has also been the Colorguard Director at Ridgeland and Petal High Schools in Mississippi and she has served in similar roles in Texas. For more information about the Winterguard program at Jones College contact Meredith Owen by email at, meredith.owen@ymail.com or the Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge at ben.burge@jcjc.edu

JC Winterguard 2023 and Hometowns:

Ar’dajah Pierce – Laurel, MS

Arielle Grimaldo – Moselle, MS

Avery Roberts – Florence, MS

Charlee Norman – Ellisville, MS

Dori Saranthus – Mize, MS

Emma Jackson – Flowood, MS

Gabriella Lopez – Ridgeland, MS

Jay’Nia Keyes – Taylorsville, MS

Kaylee Moss – Ellisville, MS

Layken Valentine – Ellisville, MS

Paige Farve – Sandersville, MS

Rebekah Sudduth – Pearl, MS

Sheridan White – Laurel, MS