Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – The “Golden Era,” Jones College’s Homecoming 2024 theme will be on full display with the Typhoon Marching Band debuting its new uniforms to its largest crowd on Homecoming Saturday, October 19. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Terrell Tisdale Library and circles downtown Ellisville, ending on Bush Ave. in front of the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Building. The band’s final performance on Homecoming Saturday is during the Homecoming Court at half-time presentation and through the end of the football game between East Central Community College and Jones College, which begins at 2 p.m.

“It’s been about 11 years since the band has had new uniforms,” explained Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge. “I think these new uniforms are beautiful and I’m very excited to be one of the groups on campus wearing the new colors, Cardinal and Vegas Gold. The band was one of the catalysts for that change when Dr. Jesse Smith (JC President) shared the new color scheme with us while we were looking for a new uniform design. He thought the Typhoon would be a great way to spotlight the new campus colors.”

The Typhoon marched into the Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field on September 19, at the football game with Co-Lin and were greeted with a warm welcome. Jones College Typhoon members were also glowing with pride.

“I absolutely love them!” exclaimed Touch of Gold co-captain, Sadie Jones of Taylorsville. “I love the new, ‘old’ Cats logo, and the Vegas Gold and Cardinal colors go really good together.”

Sophomore tuba player from Ellisville, Leo Norman believes the new uniforms also inspire a better show performance.

“It is definitely the best uniform we’ve had in a few years. The colors blend well together, and I love the new logo,” said Norman. “The old uniforms were kind of confusing being cut off really high on the top, there was a lot of black and there is no black in these uniforms. They look clean, sharp and just beautiful!”

The overall “look” of the new uniforms resembles Iowa State’s, with a few little touches, like gold sprinkled in the cardinal color plumes on top of the hats, and the added side sash with the word, “Typhoon” is a favorite amongst current and older band members. Hannah Latham, a sophomore drum major from Sandersville thinks the new uniforms look great on the field, as is the consensus with sophomore drum major, Braden Yarber of Ellisville.

“They are incredible! I am so happy with how they turned out because they look so much cleaner than just the plain black that we had,” said Yarber. “They turned out beautifully!”

Besides the annual Christmas parades, the Typhoon’s last performance during a home football game will be Thursday, October 24, 2024.

ELLISVILLE – Homecoming on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville will be a celebration of the theme, “The Golden Era.” Numerous activities, reunions and gatherings are scheduled before the culmination of Homecoming celebrations on Saturday, October 19, 2024. During halftime of the football game, Queen Sha’Niyah Turner of Mize, and the entire JC student-elected, 2024 Homecoming Court will be presented. Escorting the ladies will be a Jones College student selected by the student representatives.

Queen, Sha’Niyah Turner of Mize is a Jones College sophomore with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer. In High School, the Mize graduate played volleyball, softball and cheered for her fellow athletes. She was a member of the Beta Club and earned the Rising Excellence Scholarship to attend JC. After college, Turner plans to join the AirForce to become a Special Operation Certified Athletic Trainer. After serving her country for 20 years, she wants to open a gym and be a fitness trainer. Mary and Bobby Applewhite and Henry and Ebonee Turner are her parents.

“Being Homecoming Queen is such a special honor! It means being recognized by your peers for your school spirit, kindness and involvement in the community. It’s a celebration of all the hard work and dedication you’ve put into making your school a better place and it’s an opportunity to represent your school with pride and creating lasting memories,” Turner shared.

Braylon Peters of Quitman will be escorting Turner at Homecoming. At Quitman High School, Peters played baseball, basketball and football. Peters is majoring in business and marketing management at Jones College, while also a member of the Bobcat Basketball team. His parents are Patrick and Bridgett Peters.

Dannah Knighton of Madison is your Student Body Maid. The Germantown High School graduate is majoring in Spanish education. The former varsity softball player earned 1^st Team All-District honors and was a member of the Beta Club, Spanish Club and the National Honors Society. At Jones, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honors Society and serves as Vice President of Leadership. Knighton is also a member of the Student Government Association, Charles Pickering Honors Institute, and a photographer for the JC yearbook. Her future plans include earning her bachelor’s degree in Spanish at the University of Southern Mississippi and teaching students the importance of learning a foreign language. Furthermore, the sophomore JC student serves in youth ministry at Grace Crossing Baptist Church in Madison and locally at Petal Harvey Baptist Church. Her parents are David and Jill Knighton.

“This honor reflects the incredible possibilities that arise when we refuse to let fear hold us back. I am grateful for the privilege of representing my classmates in this way. Jones College has profoundly transformed me for the better, shaping my character in ways I will always cherish. I will forever thank the Lord for this blessing,” Knighton shared.

Escorting Knighton will be Dylan Taylor of Moss. The Stringer High School graduate was the captain of the football team and a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Taylor can often be found in the Baptist Student Union (BSU) or participating in FCA activities at Jones College as well. After earning a degree in ministry and coaching at the University of Mississippi, Taylor aspires to coach high school football and spread God’s word. Currently, he is volunteering at Bethlehem Community Church’s Youth Ministry Leadership. His parents are Travis Taylor and Jennifer Holifield.

Markecia Lloyd of Brandon is your Sophomore Maid, majoring in radiologic technology. The Pisgah High School graduate played varsity basketball and was a member of the track team, Beta Club and Honors Society. Lloyd also enjoyed feeding the homeless and singing in the nursing homes in Jackson. Her future plans include transferring to the University of South Alabama or Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology to earn a degree in radiology and diagnostic medical sonography. Allen and Monica Williams are Markecia’s parents.

Sawyer Griffith of Ellisville will be escorting Lloyd at Homecoming. The South Jones High School graduate was a member of the football team and earned WDAM-TV’s Player of the Pine Belt Award and his peers voted him, Mr. South Jones. At Jones College he is majoring in business and electrical technology and was honored with the Letter “J” Award. His future plans include getting his MBA at Mississippi State University. Greg and Jennifer Griffith are Sawyer’s parents.

Sophomore Maid, Maddie Taylor is a graduate of Raleigh High School and is majoring in elementary education. At RHS, she was a Senior Maid, Class Favorite, and a member of the Student Council, Cheer Squad and the volleyball team. Taylor’s future plans include earning her degree in elementary education at MSU. Her parents are Jamie and Marsha Taylor.

Her escort will be Parks Burt of Enterprise. The aeronautical engineering major played football, and was a member of the National Honors Society, and Beta Club at Enterprise High School. Burt is a member of the Jones College recruiting ambassadors, Bobcat Brigade and the International Honor Society, PTK. Additionally, he volunteers at local church events, mission trips and is a blood donor. Becoming a pilot after earning his degree in aeronautical engineering from MSU are some of Burt’s goals. His parents are Casey and Stacey Burt.

Freshman Maid, Elisa Cook is a Meridian resident majoring in business marketing and management. The Clarkdale High School graduate was an active member of the Student Council, the basketball team, and National Honors Society. Moreover, she was the Drum Major for CHS her junior and senior years in high school. Cook also served as the President of the CHS FBLA club. At Jones College, she earned a spot as a freshman Drum Major for the Typhoon Marching Band, Bobcat Brigade, FCA, SGA, FBLA and she is a member of the Art Club. She serves her community by volunteering at the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library and Wesley’s House Shelter. Also, Cook has earned the Entrepreneurship Small Business Certificate, graduated from the Youth Leadership Lauderdale County’s program and was the 1st runner-up at the Miss Black Mississippi USA Talented Teen Pageant. The future artist and entrepreneur aspires to spread the Gospel and publish fiction and non-fiction books. Henry and Stephanie Cook are her parents.

Escorting Cook will be Elliot Sholtz of Gulfport. At Jones, he is a member of the Student Government Association and Bobcat Brigade and plays recreational volleyball in Gulfport and the Long Beach Volleyball Association. After earning his Associate Degree in Nursing from Jones College, Sholtz plans to work as a nurse on the coast. Stanley Sholtz is Elliot’s father.  

Saylor Sullivan is your Freshman Maid from Mize, and she is majoring in radiology. The Mize High School graduate was a member of the State 2A Cheerleading Team, the 2023 Mize National Cheerleading Champions, earning All-American Cheerleading honors twice. Last summer, she was crowned Mize’s Miss Mississippi Watermelon Queen. The member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church hopes to specialize in ultrasound in the future. Brian and Amanda Sullivan are Saylor’s parents.

Talan Warren of Mize will be escorting Sullivan. The electrical technology major played football and earned ACT and Build Mississippi Scholarships to attend Jones College. The future electrician is a member of Oak Grove Church’s Mission and Maintenance Team. His parents are Donovan Hays and Tabitha Pope.  

The Homecoming Court will also feature the Flower Girl, six-year-old Lydia Anne McLeod, the daughter of Hunter and Amanda McLeod of Ellisville. The Crown Bearer is seven-year-old Preston Bryan Walters, the son of Mark and Megan Walters of Hattiesburg. 

ELLISVILLE – A partnership with the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy located at the Meridian Naval Airbase, Laurel’s Diamondback Commercial Vehicle Training and Truckworx Kenworth of Laurel, are making it easier for law enforcement to interrupt the flow of drug and human trafficking, and other criminal activity with hands-on training hosted at Jones College. Officers from Wayne County, Jones County, Forrest County, Meridian, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Highway Patrol spent three days learning about the commercial trucking industry and how criminals are exploiting it. Knowing what to look for can prevent drugs like fentanyl from infiltrating the U.S. border and even small communities in the Pine Belt, according to Ray Herndon, former law enforcement, trucker and owner of Diamondback CMV Training.

“We like to sponsor training like this for local and state law enforcement officers to come tuition-free thanks to the RCTA. It’s designed to educate the officers on the transportation industry, how it operates daily, and how common criminal enterprises can infiltrate that industry unknowingly to the trucking industry. Officers don’t get a lot of training on commercial vehicle searches, and we have years of experience in both trucking and in law enforcement that can help these officers and communities,” said Herndon.

Additionally, Herndon explained the terrorist threat that could accompany some of these large vehicles is real. The Oklahoma City bomber in 1995, used about a 5000-pound explosive device and a moving truck. Diamondback offers training nationwide about 25 times a year and is based in Laurel.

“It means the world to us to get to train our people here at home. We use our industry knowledge to train these officers on the things to look for without delaying truck drivers for long periods of time while they search,” said Herndon. “It’s not these officers’ goal to hold up the transportation industry or to cause undue time delays, as much as it is to be able to recognize when something is not right, or what doesn’t belong when they see it.”

The next RCTA course will focus on roadside interview techniques held on Friday, September 27, at Jones College.

ELLISVILLE – According to the Mississippi Community College Board’s statewide-enrollment report, Jones College had the most significant growth in student headcount since the Fall of 2011, with 4,995 students reporting on the 10th day of classes. The report shows Jones College had a 10.4 percent increase in student headcount from fall semester 2023 to 2024, compared to the state’s 14 other community colleges. Additionally, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Dr. Finèe Ruffin, said the report also shows Jones College had the highest semester credit hours in a fall term since the Fall of 2020.

“This achievement is a direct result of our dedicated faculty and staff, who are committed to providing exceptional experiences. By fostering a student-centered campus environment, we have been able to attract and retain students,” said Ruffin. “Our team has been relentless in exploring and implementing innovative strategies to promote growth. This year’s record-breaking enrollment is a testament to the effectiveness of our efforts. By focusing on initiatives that address the specific needs of our students, we are creating a more accessible pathway to educational and career success,” said Ruffin.

The largest increases in enrollment at 12.73 percent, are in the Career and Technical Education programs with 17 of the 31 CTE programs being completely full at Jones College. The biggest increase of all of the CTE programs at 26 percent can be found in the Industrial Services programs like welding, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, diesel mechanics and the utility lineman programs.

“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 Vice President of Instruction, Rod Tolbert.

A lot more students are opting for career paths that have not traditionally been spotlighted nationally and are in demand according to Tolbert. Partnerships with our district high schools have also been instrumental in driving enrollment success stated Ruffin.

“Together, we have worked tirelessly to create innovative programs and streamline the transition from high school to college, making higher education more accessible to students from all backgrounds. We are grateful for the continued trust and support of our students, their families, and the community. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to providing a world-class education that prepares our graduates for success.”

The MCCB’s statewide enrollment report also shows that the statewide Community College system’s enrollment headcount average is up by 2.4 percent from fall 2023 with the total statewide enrollment headcount at 67,547 students enrolled. With increases in students, the Community College’s statewide average in the number of credit hours being taken from fall 2023 to now, is also up by 2.1 percent with 830,235 credit hours.

As more people are being trained for skilled jobs in addition to the increased number of academic courses completed, lifetime salaries are more likely to improve according to the Community College President’s findings in the Mississippi Community College Return on Investment Report in 2020.

Registration for the spring semester classes begins on October 10, at Jones College with classes beginning on Monday, January 13, 2025. The Spring 2025 Mississippi Virtual Community College online, eight-week short-term classes, and Dual Enrollment classes begin on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. For more information on enrolling in courses at Jones College click on the website and learn how to become a student, https://www.jcjc.edu/

ELLISVILLE – Plans are underway to make Homecoming at Jones College a spectacular event this year with gatherings honoring the 50th reunion for the JCJC Class of 1974, and the 60th reunion for the Ellisville High School Class of 1964, along with the 1979 Championship Football Team and 10 Honor Alumni.

The weekend of activities will incorporate the Homecoming theme, “The Golden Era” beginning with Jones College students and faculty constructing floats on Monday, October 14, then a “Jones Got Talent” Show showcasing student talent will happen on Tuesday, October 15, outside on Centennial Plaza at 7 p.m., then the JC Jazz Band and Jones OnStage will entertain everyone on Wednesday, October 16, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. On Thursday, October 17, at @7 p.m., the Homecoming Glow Pep Rally will be held at Centennial Plaza. The “Glow Pep Rally” is sponsored by the Student Government Association and will provide glow-necklaces and glow-sticks for everyone in attendance. This event will be canceled if there is inclement weather.

The 60th reunion for the Ellisville High School Class of 1964 will take place on Friday, October 18, in the C.L. Neill Student Center Banquet Hall. Class members are encouraged to meet and greet from 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Contact Jo Anna Newcomb in the Alumni Office for more information by calling 601-477-4145.

Homecoming Day, Saturday, October 19, will be a day filled with numerous activities and fun for all ages. Events will begin at 9 a.m. with a brunch for alumni and friends on the front lawn of the Terrell Tisdale Library. Members of the JCJC 1974 class will need to come by the JC Alumni Association table and check in during the brunch.

At 10 a.m. the Homecoming Parade will wind through the streets of Ellisville and the campus beginning at the Terrell Tisdale Library and will end outside of the M.P. Bush Fine Arts building on Bush Drive. The parade features floats made by the student body incorporating the theme, as well as the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, JC cheerleaders, Touch of Gold, and of course, the 2024 Homecoming Queen and her court.

At 11 a.m. following the parade, the public is also invited to join the Jones family for a pep rally in front of the C.L. Neill Student Center, Centennial Plaza. At 11:30 a.m. the JCJC Alumni Luncheon will be held in the A.B. Howard Gymnasium.  During this luncheon, the JC Honor Alumni, Hans Van Houten, Sawyer Taylor, Dr. Reyn Clark, Dr. Ben Stevens, Michael and Katye Howard, Dr. Jeffrey Carter, Ben and Erin Napier and Dr. Larry Guthrie will be recognized. Additionally, the JC Homecoming Court, and the members of the 50th Year Reunion for the Class of 1974 will be honored. Reservations for the luncheon can be made through the Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145 or by emailing, jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu or the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/events/

“Tailgating under the Tents” will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the North Endzone of Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field for the Bobcat Club and the 1979 Championship Football Team.

The Homecoming pre-game festivities will begin at 2 p.m. with the marching band’s pre-game show in Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field. The game against East Central Community College will begin at 2 p.m. 

Before the 2^nd quarter, the 2024 Honor Alumni will be recognized and during halftime, the Homecoming Court will be presented with the crowning of the 2024 Homecoming Queen, Shaniyah Turner before the Typhoon Marching Band and Touch of Gold perform. The festivities will end with the announcement of Mr. and Miss JC before the 4^th quarter. For more information call the Foundation and Alumni Office at 477-4145 or email jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu