Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s automotive technology students are working with the Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby in its first-ever partnership with a community/junior college.  Students are conducting inspections and repairing historic vehicles like the Hotchkiss/Willy’s Jeep used in WWII and in the Korean War.

“We are honored for the opportunity to have our talented faculty and students assist with a project that has a direct benefit to our country,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Upon arrival of the first vehicle, Jones College instructor, Barry Bradshaw and his students did a basic check of the various systems and took note of any issues. Looking over the jeep, students were surprised to see some of the original parts.

“I think this partnership will give our students a greater appreciation for newer technology, as well as for what some of their family members might have driven or worked on if they served during WWII, the Korean or Vietnam Wars, or any other conflicts.  Some of our students are interested in off-road vehicles and this will allow them to work on that type of vehicle,” said Bradshaw.

For more information about the Jones College’s Automotive program contact Barry Bradshaw by email at barry.bradshaw@jcjc.edu or by phone at 601-477-4246.

 

ELLISVILLE – Twenty-six Jones College students were able to continue their college education with tuition assistance from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s “Round Up for Education” scholarship program.  A check for $13,000 collected from PRVEPA members who rounded up their bills each month was divided amongst the Jones College students to receive a $500 scholarship.

“I live on campus which means I pay for the dorm and I have to pay for a meal ticket besides tuition,” said Christina Payton, a veterinarian science major from Oak Grove. “This scholarship helps with the expenses.”

PRVEPA Manager of Members Services, Kurt Brautigam said 214 community college students throughout the PRVEPA’s 12-county service area have received a financial boost from the generosity of its members who have more than 50,000 meters. The $500 scholarships are available to any PRVEPA members who are recent high school graduates who want to attend a community college in Mississippi.

“From dimes, nickels and pennies, our members have been changing the lives of nearly 1,500 students who have received financial assistance through the program over seven years. More than $1.4 million has been collected and deposited in an account overseen by the Greater Pine Belt Community Foundation. I’m amazed and appreciate what our members are doing to help improve the lives of these students in our communities,” said Brautigam.

Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith has seen how a college education can change the future of a student, which affects everyone in a community. Statistics from a study commissioned by Mississippi State University proves the value of a community college education.

“Any additional financial assistance our students receive to help them earn a degree impacts everyone in the community. According to this study, a student earns an additional $224 in wages and salaries and $30.61 of additional tax revenue if they finish one college credit hour. On average, 8,876 community college graduates enter the workforce in Mississippi, generating approximately $522 million in total wages or salaries. We are all grateful for PRVEPA’s members support,” said Smith.

Freshman Jones bio-chemistry major, Amanda Bozeman of Foxworth said she is amazed at the generosity of the PRVEPA’s members who see the value of a college education and are willing to chip in to help.

“This is an amazing program and organization because a lot of people don’t have this opportunity and these members give (scholarships) to us for being a member. It really means a lot to me and I appreciate their assistance,” said Bozeman.

To ensure the program continues to be viable in the future, PRVEPA General Manager, Randy Wallace said they have decided to increase the endowment deposit this year.

“In previous years, ten percent of the annual funds collected have been set aside in an endowed fund for future use and the remaining money was divided equally between the applicants. This year, in order to bolster the endowment and help ensure the program’s viability well into the future, each recipient received $500 and more was deposited in the endowment.”

When the program was established in 2012, PRVEPA officials hoped the “Round Up for Education” scholarship program would be beneficial and have some success. However, it has turned out to be even better than they expected. The only requirement to receive a PRVEPA scholarship is to be a current participating association member in the Round Up program. All scholarship funds collected after August 1 each year goes toward the next year’s scholarships. Applications for 2020 scholarships are available now.

2019 Community College Scholars Program (214 Students) 

Community Colleges Students 

Pearl River     127

Gulf Coast        44

Jones                26

Hinds                  5

Southwest          4

Holmes               2

Coahoma            1

Co-Lin                1

Delta                  1

East Central       1

East MS             1

Meridian            1

 

High School Recipients 

Stone                           42

Oak Grove                  34

Forrest Co. AHS         27

Sumrall                       19

Purvis                         19

West Marion               18

Columbia                    9

East Marion                 9

Columbia Academy    9

Lamar Christian           7

Others                         21

ELLISVILLE – After five weeks of securing the first-place ranking going into the Jones College Bobcat Math League Championship Finals, Presbyterian Christian High School’s team managed to fend off newcomers to the competition and the second-seeded team, Petal High School to become the 2019 Jones College Bobcat Math League Champions. Besides a trophy, coach’s plaque and player medallions, the coach was awarded a $1,350 cash prize. The team members will split $1,500 and the high school will receive $250 for the victory.

“I have great students!” said Presbyterian Christian High School Coach, Melissa Brown. “They do all the work. I just help them get here to the competition.”

In fact, Brown’s teams from PCS hold the record for the most championship wins, and runner-up finishes in the Bobcat Math League’s history with three championships in 2019, 2014 and 2013, and two, second-place finishes in 2018 and 2012.

“Last year was tough because both teams knew the answer and Oak Grove just beat us to the buzzer. I think most of the credit goes to the students for their work ethic and their desire to learn new things, but credit also goes to the great math and science teachers we have here at PCS,” said Brown.

Every year, new teams join the League and some dropout. This year, the Petal Panthers proved they were contenders despite their lack of experience in the League.

“It was so fun as a coach to watch these students excel in this competition. Many of them do not get a platform to showcase their academic abilities and for them to have an opportunity to do so is really amazing,” said Petal High School Co-Coach, Melissa Bonner.

Petal High School Senior, Thomas Sanchez said he really enjoyed participating in this unique, STEM-based competition with other high schools.

“This event is one of the very few where I actually get to use my math abilities competitively.  STEM is essentially foundational now because of the new developments we see in the world and for a group to support that and strive for excellence in the field is a great thing in my book.  As for almost winning the whole thing on our first competition year, well, it was pretty cool! said Sanchez.

Both Petal and Presbyterian Christian were both powerhouses during the regular season, as the only undefeated teams, division leaders and the highest cumulative season points with 339 and 354, respectively. However, the PCS Bobcats may have the advantage in the final rounds of the Championship Finals with experience on their side.

“This year we had the dream team,” said PCS sophomore, Sam Powell. “I’m glad I had the chance to be on the team with the seniors.  All of them have competed here before and I will miss them next year.”

In the double-elimination tournament, experience seemed to give the PCS Bobcat team an advantage as they slipped past Quitman in their first round, 24 to 15. In the next round, the third-seeded Northeast Jones Tigers beat the Panthers, 22 to 10, sending Petal to the loser’s bracket. Petal had a chance to rest up before facing the fourth-seeded Sacred Heart Crusaders. By outscoring the Crusaders, 34 to 12, Petal earned the victory. Because Sacred Heart lost to Petal and the fifth-seeded Quitman team in the first round, The Crusaders were eliminated. With a loss to PCS, Quitman tried to regain the opportunity to play in the final championship round by taking the early lead in their match against the sixth-seeded Oak Grove team in the loser’s bracket. The Quitman Panthers challenged the Warriors early to capture the lead but not the win. Oak Grove’s Ethan Choi took control of the match and pulled the Warriors ahead, 24 to 19.

In the quarter-final round, the Oak Grove Warriors tried to dominant the Petal Panthers, but Petal’s Logan Baggett turned the tide by answering correctly and edged the Panthers ahead. A missed daily double by Petal offered a little hope for the Warriors with only three-points between the teams. Then, Petal’s Wyatt Carter and Thomas Sanchez beat Oak Grove to the buzzer and pushed the Panthers past the Warriors, 24 to 19, to seal their spot in the semifinals.

In the semi-final round, the Tigers of Northeast Jones fell flat facing the Panthers of Petal. Meanwhile, the Petal Panthers kept their winning momentum to shut out the Tigers, 19 to 0.

“Clawing our way back from the loser’s bracket up to the championship was definitely tough, as well as something we’re proud of,” said Petal Junior, Raburn Paris. “We have to come in next year stronger and with a more diverse knowledge base.”

Petal and Presbyterian Christian had not faced each other before coming into the championship final round. After playing two rounds prior to the championship round, Petal seemed to lose steam as they entered the second round of the best of three championship matches.  The Petal Panthers won the first round 33 to 24, but PCS turned up the heat with seniors, Matthew Rester, Carson Dorsey, Jennifer Jian and Grayson Nocera racking up the points. The Bobcats slaughtered the Panthers, 44 to 14.

The third and final round would ultimately decide who would be the 2019 Bobcat Math League Champion with PCS gaining momentum. Petal was only able to get a few points from PCS as the Bobcats ran away with the final match, 45 to 12. Individually, the Bobcats had three members of the All-League Team with Grayson Nocera, Matthew Rester and Jennifer Jian, who also earned the Overall Most Outstanding Player. Jian received a laptop from Howard Industries for having the highest average of accurate answers during the regular season. Also, on the All-League Team were Petal’s Wyatt Carter, Northeast Jones’ Lexi Berlin and Oak Grove’s William Mitchell.

Additionally, each of the 13 teams’ Most Outstanding players who competed during the five-week regular season of the Jones College Bobcat Math League were also recognized during the Championship Finals at Jones College. The Leagues’ Most Outstanding Player from each participating team were: Columbia Academy-Ben Mitchell; Northeast Jones-Lexi Berlin; Oak Grove-William Mitchell; Perry Central Ale’Jah Bolton; Petal-Wyatt Carter; Presbyterian Christian-Jennifer Jian; Quitman-Logan Kelly; Raleigh-Emma Jones; Raymond-Joshua McGee and Shaun Williams; Sacred Heart-Javier Parada and Abigail Wiest; South Jones-Shelby Grunig; Wayne Academy-Parker Odom and Jennifer Shirley; Wayne County-Jared Powe and West Jones-Lindsey Cole.

All of the teams, coaches and schools who participated in the playoffs received monetary awards depending upon their final placement in the playoffs. As first-place winners, Presbyterian Christian High School team members said they are excited about the monetary award and feel blessed to have talented team members and excellent faculty. However, this win was especially “bittersweet” for PCS Coach Brown.

“It has been an honor to work with such great students over the years. It is an amazing feeling to be the champions as I am retiring after this year. I am excited to see what our team will do in the future!”

In second place, Petal High School received $150, the team split $1,300 and the coaches split $1,250. Third place winners, the Northeast Jones High School Tigers’ team received $1,000.  The coach earned $1,050 and the school received $100. The fourth-place Oak Grove team received $650 with the coach earning $850 and the high school received $50 for accomplishments. The fifth-place winners, Quitman High School and the sixth-place team, Sacred Heart received the same amount of cash prizes with each team earning $150, the coaches earned $650, and each high school received $25.

Sponsors for this year’s competition include Chisholm Foundation, Howard Computers and Corner Market. For more information about the Bobcat Math League contact Dr. Jessica Bunch (JC Bobcat Math League Commissioner) at 601-477-5422 or email at jessica.bunch@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE – A grant from the Asbury Foundation enabled Jones College’s radiography department to purchase the newest digital equipment available for the student lab at JC. The newly installed laboratory equipment includes a Del Medical FMT18M floor-mounted tube stand, Del Medical OTC18M ceiling-mounted tube support and a Samsung GM85 Lite mobile digital radiographic unit. These additions provide students the opportunity to learn with high-quality equipment found in most area health facilities.

“Most health care facilities now utilize digital technology,” said Jones College’s Radiologic Technology Director, Mandy Pearson M.S. R. T. (R). “Without this donation from Asbury, we would not have the advanced technology to train our students on campus. This new equipment allows Jones students to be well-prepared to enter the clinical environment.”

Sophomore Jones College student, Sara Sadler from Columbus said she is excited to be a part of the change in the radiologic technology department at Jones. Sadler said she also benefitted from using the older equipment because some clinical sites don’t have the newest technology.

“Since technology is advancing and more clinical sites are becoming solely digital-based, it is great Jones has received new, top-of-the-line equipment which helps broaden my knowledge,” said Sadler.  “I strongly feel Jones is doing a great job at preparing me for my future in the workplace to be a radiologic technologist.”

Sadler points out having new equipment is a big plus. However, Jones’ radiologic technology program also has a high success rate and pass-rate for students taking the national registry upon completion of the program. Now, with the new digital equipment in the Jones lab, Pearson said Jones College students should have an advantage in the workplace.

For more information about the Jones College Radiologic Technology program, email Mandy Pearson at mandy.pearson@jcjc.edu or call the department at 601-477-2416.

ELLISVILLE – Jones County Junior College will host its annual Most Beautiful Pageant on Thursday, November 14, at 7 p.m. in the M. P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. The pageant is sponsored by the JC yearbook staff and directed by Dr. Tessa Flowers. Twenty-four contestants will compete for the title of Most Beautiful.

Entertainment will be provided by Jones OnStage show choir members and Joe Mauldin on piano.

Tickets are $5 general admission and $3 for students with a valid JC ID. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and there is no reserved seating. For more information, call 601-477-4084.