Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE –SkillsUSA 2019 Gold Medalists and Jones College sophomores, Preston Hammonds of Leakesville, C.J. Hood of Ellisville and Lakelin Smith of Lucedale were honored for their accomplishments by Jones College, their SkillsUSA teammates, along with their organization’s competition technical advisors and Jones faculty, Ryan Hearn and Karen Kirk. Each of the team members and Hearn and Kirk received Championship Rings during the career and technical organization’s last meeting of the year. The three CAD-engineering technology students won first place at State competition in April 2018, and first place at the National competition in July 2019.

“Welcome to ‘Winnersville’ because that’s exactly where you’re at. Four gold medals came back to Mississippi from the SkillsUSA national competition and guess where three of them are? Right here at Jones College,” said JC Career and Technical Dean, Rod Tolbert. “I commend you for your dedication to your project and for your dedication to this organization”

Jones College’s 2018 team won the state competition the first year SkillsUSA added the Engineering Design and Technology category, and then placed seventh at Nationals. The 2019 team of Hammonds, Hood and Smith also won first place at the State competition and Nationals with the “Standi-Strap.”  Made from a 3-D printer, the Standi-Strap is a guitar stand and strap. Confident in their product, the student engineers and musicians said they were also confident in their presentation. However, their competitors from Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, had difficulty grasping a team from Mississippi could defeat them.

“Not only did these students have a great design, but it was also a project they actually believed in. I think that’s why they won first place,” said Ryan Hearn, a JC SkillsUSA advisor and JC civil engineering technology instructor. “Any questions about their project were answered with certainty.”

C.J. Hood said when the team won in Louisville, Kentucky, the college received medals and a banner. Receiving his own banner and championship ring at the meeting amongst friends and family, meant a lot to him.

“This was really cool to receive the rings and banner. It means a lot to the college and it means a lot to me,” said Hood. “I dedicated a big chunk of my life into this project and to win was great. It was also a lot of fun.”

The three students and their advisors proudly showed off the Championship rings and the SkillsUSA 1^st place banners they received as friends and family congratulated them for their accomplishment.

“Having my family here means more to me than the ring, but the ring is still pretty cool!” said Preston Hammonds.

As for next year, Hammonds will not be participating in SkillsUSA. He was accepted in the Disney College Program and will be taking classes online while working in Orlando. Part of the appeal, Hammonds said is the opportunity to work with Disney’s Imagineers.

“It’s an amazing opportunity getting accepted since I want to be an Imagineer. Nothing will look better than working at Disney and getting to work with the Imagineers for a week,” said Hammonds.

Despite the replacing a member of the team, Lakelin Smith said he and C.J. are already working on ideas to submit for the 2020 SkillsUSA competition. Their project will be different from the Standi-Strap, which they said has been improved upon and will go into mass production next year.

“It doesn’t make me nervous to have to come up with a new idea with somebody new. We are looking for someone we can work with in the same major. We have some ideas and we appreciate the support everyone has given us,” said Smith.

The State SkillsUSA Competition in Jackson is April 14 and 15. Only the first-place winners will continue to compete in Louisville, Kentucky at the National SkillsUSA competition, June 22-26, 2020. Hood and Smith said they hope they can continue the winning streak.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College students working towards an Associate of Applied Science degree in the more than 20 career and technical programs will now have the option to continue their education with Mississippi State University.  A memorandum of understanding signed by the presidents of MSU and Jones gives community college students more opportunities in technical education to meet current and future workforce demands. MSU President Dr. Mark E. Keenum emphasized to the Jones College students in the robotics lab, MSU now has opportunities for them on the university level and offered this advice to all students.

“Get as much education beyond your associate’s degree. All the great technical knowledge and education you will receive here attaining your A.A.S. degree will give you more opportunities in this 21^st century,” said Keenum. “We need more two-year and four-year graduates to move Mississippi forward and this agreement will increase the education attainment for all our citizens. High school students need to know they can pursue an associate degree in robotics or any of these technical programs, and if they choose, they can now continue their education and get a bachelor’s degree.”

The Institutes of Higher Learning passed a measure in August allowing universities to create this new pathway towards a bachelor’s degree for career and technical education students through the applied baccalaureate degree completion program. MSU was the first in the state to develop this program for community college students.

Expanding the pathways partnership between Jones College and MSU not only benefits Jones students, but it also benefits the broader economic development needs of this area according to Mississippi State University Associate Vice President and Head of the Meridian campus, Dr. Terry Dale Cruse. Additional opportunities to advance at work with increased earnings is appealing to Jones College freshmen, Luis Jimenez of New Augusta. He currently enjoys the various aspects of technology in the electro-mechanical technology program at Jones and he looks forward to the chance to excel after graduation.

“I really like working with robots and virtual reality technology. Knowing this agreement with Mississippi State will allow me to continue my education to position me for a better future is also very appealing,” said Jimenez.

To help students understand the economic impact of their Associate in Applied Science degree, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith shared the new research from a study published by MSU’s NSPARC on the impact of community colleges in the state.

“We know every college credit hour a person takes, they earn $224 annually, in their pocket for their life.  By earning the A.A.S. degree you’ve added about $1.5 million dollars of lifetime earnings to your salary. We know the impact, so it’s only logical that we take this next step,” said Smith.

Additionally, career and technical program graduates seeking the new Bachelor of Applied Science degree are more likely to be considered for management positions in addition to advancing their skills to improve their financial futures.

JC students will be assisted through the new Bachelor of Applied Science program pathways by the current MSU advisor at Jones College, Kevin Entrekin.  Additionally, Jones College and MSU-Meridian will work together to provide classroom space for the delivery of synchronous online courses. Credits in the degree program can be earned through online or traditional on-campus classes, providing flexibility for students. For more information on the Bachelor of Applied Science program, visit https://www.msstate.edu/students/bachelor-of-applied-science.

Jones College is an open-door, two-year institution, granting Associate in Arts degrees, Associate in Applied Science degrees, Career and Technical certificates, Adult Education credentials and Workforce credentials. For more, visit www.jcjc.edu. Information about MSU is available online at www.msstate.edu.

ELLISVILLE-Receiving a scholarship often changes a student’s future. Endowing a scholarship can impact generations. Such is the case for retired Dean of Music at Samford University, Dr. Milburn Price and his sister, Nevalyn Price Moore who is a retired professor emeritus of music at Campbellsville University. The former Ellisville residents and Ellisville High School graduates honored their parents, Dr. Shelby M. Price and Neva Trapp Price by endowing a music scholarship in their memory. They came to Awards Day this year for the first time since the scholarship was established in 2006 to meet this year’s recipient.

“Being in tune as a dean of music, scholarships are a good way to honor someone that is close to you, like a family member or someone you appreciate,” said Dr. Milburn Price.

The Prices grew up next to the Jones campus as they attended high school classes when Ellisville High School (formerly Jones County Agricultural High School) was part of the college campus. As high school students, both Milburn and Nevalyn participated in the college’s music department. Milburn sang in the college’s Concert Choir and Quartet and he had the lead role in the college operetta as a high school senior. Nevalyn was the college’s concert choir accompanist.

“Our parents were chaperones for the marching band trips to all of the ball games. We went on every trip including the trip to Los Angeles for the Jr. Rose Bowl game in 1955,” said Nevalyn.

Dr. Shelby M. Price was a science instructor for about 20 years at Jones County Junior College before retiring in 1966. Their mother, Neva was a music teacher at Ellisville Elementary School and the church pianist for First Baptist Church of Ellisville. For several years, Dr. Shelby Price also volunteered as the song leader and choir director for the church. When both parents passed away, Dr. Milburn Price said his sister and their spouses thought endowing a scholarship would be the best way to honor their parents.

“Scholarships are the best ways to support the next generation and we need scholarships and musicians,” said Nevalyn Price Moore. “Continuity and reward for good work were really important to our dad and I think he’d be really, really pleased by establishing a scholarship.”

Milburn added, “Even though our father taught biology, because of his interest in music, when we established the scholarship in our parent’s honor, we thought we should designate it as a music scholarship. We thought that would please both of our parents.”

As retired musicians and instructors, Nevalyn and her husband have five children and six grandkids who are all involved in music. However, the impact of the Price’s parents extends beyond their immediate family to current and past Jones College instructors and students, like Jones College music instructor, and former division chair, Dr. Susan Smith.

“I would sit in the front row at church to watch their mother (Neva Price) play piano because I couldn’t see her when I was really little,” said Smith. “That was the impetus of my music career. I was too young to take piano lessons from Mrs. Price, but my sister Patty had Mrs. Price as an elementary school music teacher.”

Smith eventually studied piano under Martha Tisdale and voice with former, JCJC Fine Arts Division Chair and Choral Director, Dr. Milfred Valentine. Both retired music faculty endowed music scholarships at Jones. Dr. Smith said she proudly followed in the steps of Dr. Valentine serving as Fine Arts Division Chair and hired Martha Tisdale as an adjunct piano instructor. Currently, Smith directs the vocal ensembles, JC Voices and The Bridge, and she teaches music theory, recital class and applied voice. In fact, Smith is teaching Caleb Pearce of Ellisville who is this year’s student recipient of the Dr. Shelby M. Price and Neva Trapp Price Music Scholarship.

“The Prices’ story about endowing a music scholarship really shows me the power of music. How music is a part of life for everyone and how it connects everyone,” said Pearce, who hopes to have a career as a composer, conductor and music educator.

Pearce said his parents inspired him to pursue a career in music. Receiving this specific scholarship, Pearce said, motivates him to pursue his dreams more vigorously.

“This inspires me to push much harder. It reminds me that in my lifetime, I want to make as many lives better, richer, and fuller as I am physically capable of doing through music.”

The impact of one gift, from one family, has resonated across the many generations through music and education with Jones College serving as a catalyst for a unique opportunity to give generously. The Prices are hopeful others will help them to continue a legacy of generosity and music.

ELLISVILLE –Greene County’s Dariyel Johnson claimed the “Most Beautiful” title at the annual Jones College “Most Beautiful” competition.  The freshman marketing major competed against 24 contestants to win the crown. Winning the title of “Miss Congeniality” was Petal’s Madelyn Pace with Ellisville’s, Caidyn Crowder earning the “Most Photogenic” title. The “Best Essay” was written by Waynesboro’s Gilneshiakee Pope, and the “People’s Choice” award went to Brandon’s Kirby Williams.

The “Top Five” ladies were 4th Alternate, Ruth Odom of Sylva Bay; 3rd Alternate, Caidyn Crowder of Ellisville; 2nd Alternate, Rylee Gavin of Ellisville and 1st Alternate was Karsyn Ulmer of Laurel. The ladies rounding out the Top Ten include A’Lea Rogers of Waynesboro; Madelyn Pace of Petal; Kirby Williams of Brandon; Layne Boykin of Waynesboro and Reagan Todd of Laurel.

The pageant is sponsored by the JC yearbook staff and directed by Dr. Tessa Flowers. Entertainment was by Jones OnStage show choir members and Joe Mauldin on piano.

Photos by Hunter Heath, JC Yearbook.

ELLISVILLE –The annual Jones College Christmas Celebration featuring the Concert Choir will offer the audience the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas season musically and through giving this year.  Concert Choir Director, Dr. Joel Dunlap is asking the audience to bring one, new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Toy Drive as admission to either of the two concerts on Thursday, December 5, or Friday, December 6, at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Laurel.

“We’re happy to help the Salvation Army in their efforts to make Christmas a special time for the kids in the Pine Belt,” said Dunlap.

This year’s theme, “I’ll be Home for Christmas” will be highlighting the popular Christmas songs from World War II such as, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Sleigh Ride.” The concert will also feature well-known Christmas classics such as, “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World” and Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”  The concert will conclude with the choir’s signature finale, “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

“This year’s Christmas Concert Celebration will be spectacular! We have such a tremendous group of students in our choir and I am looking forward to sharing the unique theme, ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ with our audience. We also have a superb orchestra and as always, I am delighted that the Laurel Ballet Academy will be joining us. This has been a highly-anticipated event each year and we’re especially proud to be able to assist the Salvation Army this year,” said Dunlap.

Additionally, the concert choir will feature two soloists, Alexandra Arnold and Reagan Arnold. Laurel’s Alexandra Arnold was the Southaven Junior and Senior High School choir director from 2013 until 2016, before moving to Glade Elementary school to teach music and theater for the last three years. Reagan Arnold is a 2017 Jones graduate from Collins and is currently in his last semester at the University of Mississippi. Additionally, he is on scholarship with the St. Andrews United Methodist Chancel Choir under the direction of Dr. Bradley Robinson. At Ole Miss, he is a member of the University Choir and Concert Singers and plans to pursue a graduate degree in vocal performance after completing his B.M.E.

Arnold said he is thrilled to rejoin the group at Jones where he had so many “mountaintop musical moments.” One of his favorites while a member of the JC Concert Choir is singing John Rutter’s, “Gloria.”

“Coming back as a guest soloist is a dream fulfilled for me as a vocal performer,” said Arnold, who was also a member of JC Voices and theater productions at Jones.

For more information about Jones College’s Concert Choir contact Dr. Joel Dunlap via email at joel.dunlap@jcjc.edu or the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203.

Jones College Concert Choir Members 2019

Sarah Acosta, Hattiesburg

Olivia Adkins, Laurel

Zailen  Allen, Liberty

Keara Altman, Quitman

Carolyn Barlow, Laurel

Sharityn Beasley, Mississippi

Erin Biglane, Ellisville

Layne  Boykin , Waynesboro

Mckay Lee Bray, Leakesville

Vincent Brown, Moselle

Sarah Brownlee, Laurel

Desi Brunty, Laurel

Hannah Byrd, Laurel

Zikeya Byrd, Saraland, AL

Patrick Callen, Laurel

Coriana Carmichael, Laurel

Ka’Lisha Carter, Waynesboro

Krimel Chandler, Liberty

Jada Clark, Waynesboro

Ebony Cole, Laurel

Chicago Collins, Brookhaven

Erica Cooley, Waynesboro

Jalen Cooley, Quitman

Caidyn Crowder, Ellisville

Alexander Dailey, Buckatunna

Faith De Castro, Tamuning, Guam

Lydia Dees, Ellisville

Brittani Dozier, Laurel

Seth Estes, Ellisville

Ty Evans, Laurel

Lexie Floyd, Quitman

Christen Ford, Ellisville

Kaneisha Fortenberry, Laurel

Haley Gable, Laurel

Alyssa Garick, Laurel

Shedrick George, Laurel

Allison Gibson, Lucedale

Cortland Goff, Ellisville

Peyton Griffin, Ellisville

Rasheed Griffin, Jackson

Haley Guy, Laurel

Kayla Hannah, Byram

Hunter Heath, Ellisville

Hannah Henderson, Millry, AL

Rondaisha Henry, Bay Springs

Khalil Herron, Laurel

Mackenzie Hoffman, Laurel

Madison Hoffman, Laurel

Haley Holifield, Laurel

Chandon Johns, Ellisville

Dariyel Johnson, Leakesville

Tiannia Johnson, Louisville

Rayshawn Johnson, Laurel

Jourdon Joshua, Laurel

Lacoby Keys, Moselle

Peyton King, Petal

Kyra Lampley, Petal

Jada Lee, Sumrall

Shara Lee- McSwain, Sumrall

Janna Lewis, Enterprise

Madeline Lott, Columbia

Kelsey Malone, Richton

Kaylee Manning, Laurel

Hunter Mason, Laurel

Clairrease McClendon, Ellisville

Bryce McDonald, Richton

Kamryn McGee, Hattiesburg

Anna-Claire McKellar, Vicksburg

Sarah McMillan, Millry, AL

Luke McMurphy, Leakesville

Hallie Meadows, Piave

Makaila Mims, Laurel

Eden Murphy, Petal

Chelsea Musgrove, Soso

D’vonte Myers , Louin

Stuyuncey Nobles, Laurel

Caleb Pearce, Ellisville

Jalin Phillips, Waynesboro

Olivia Pippin, Laurel

Zyion Pittman, Soso

Mackenzie Rolison, Long Beach

Avyana Russell, Hattiesburg

Larsen Sanford, Seminary

Connor Shivers, Lena

Titan Singer, Long Beach

Josarah Slover, Laurel

Savanah Smith, Raleigh

Tellas Smith, Laurel

James Smith, Hattiesburg

Alex Snowdy, Madison

Jenna Sumrall, Laurel

Janna Swanner, Taylorsville

Rebecca Taylor, Magee

Shaylee Thames, Petal

Jesse Thomas, Smithdale

Michael Thompson, Laurel

Reagan Todd, Laurel

Karsyn Ulmer, Laurel

Bonner Welch, Moselle

Jasmine Wells, Mendenhall

Morgan Westmoreland, Laurel

Charles Zickus, Ellisville