Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – Despite the rainy weather, several hundred super-heroes, princesses and ghouls came out to have fun at the annual Jones College Treats in the Streets on the JC campus. Kids played games for treats in the booths set up by JC faculty and students as a way to give back to the community. Some children participated in the costume contests for babies through teens, with the winners of the creatively dressed kids receiving a variety of goodies and sweet prizes from the JC Office of Student Affairs.

College students who dressed the best received Bobcat Bucks for their efforts. The Overall Winner was Emily Willson from Ellisville dressed in her homemade costume called, “The Cute Furry Animal.” Winning the Most Original costume was Bethany Hayes of Ellisville in her “1980’s Roller Skating Girl” costume. Hebron’s Austin Land won the Scariest Costume prize dressed as Michael Myers from the “Halloween” movie series. Winning the Most in Character category was the group of students dressed as the single women looking for The Bachelor of their dreams on the TV series, “The Bachelor,” with Baili Meadows-Richton, Kate Broom-Ellisville, Jansen Parker-Wiggins and Sydney Whigham-Millry Alabama.

Treats in the Streets is an annual, free, community event that is hosted by the Jones College Student Government Association.

ELLISVILLE-The fundraising goal for the first official, “Day of Giving” at Jones College was exceeded by more than $13,000. The original goal of $15,000 was met by 4 p.m. and by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, the total was $20,000. By 9 p.m., more than $24,000 was raised with an additional $2,000 added overnight and another $2,000 by noon on Friday. Overall, more than $28,000 has been raised with more expected for the one-day fundraising campaign for Jones College’s Foundation.

“We raised almost twice the amount we set as our goal in the 24 hours set aside for the ‘Day of Giving,’ thanks to the generosity and hard work of so many people. This reassures us we are using the funds wisely, and we are good stewards of the gifts given to the Foundation. These funds assist the college and its students and faculty through scholarships, hardship assistance and even classroom and lab modifications. The impact made on this one day will go a long way!” said V.P. of Advancement, Charlie Garretson.

Faculty and students helped to raise funds in various ways leading up to the “Day of Giving” with assistance from friends of the college, like retired, Jones College history instructor, Dr. Jim Read. He dropped off his donation in person to the Foundation Office. The former JC scholarship committee member said he knows how scholarships can impact the future of a students’ career path.

“Jones does a good job of reaching out to help students overcome financial and educational challenges. I felt it was important to contribute,” said Read.

The concerted effort to inform the public about how easy giving can be and who benefits from the JC Foundation’s donations was shared in various media venues. Numerous “Jones Stories” were posted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter highlighting the impact Jones has made on alumni, faculty and students. Social media coordinator, Megan Clark’s work to share these testimonials leading up to the “Day of Giving” prompted alumna and former faculty member, Rebecca Patrick to pay a visit to the JC Foundation Office.

“Social media keeps me connected to the campus. Having a day set aside to give, encouraged me to make the effort to increase the scholarship my husband, Howard and my brother’s (Roy and Bruce) and their wives (Leisha and Belinda) endowed to honor our parents, Wilroy and Kathryn Ratcliff,” said Patrick.  “Our parents were always helping people. Increasing the endowment will allow more scholarship money to help students and I’ve seen first-hand how Jones can make a little go a long way.”

The “Day of Giving” was an opportunity for anyone to help Jones College continue to offer excellence in education and inspire another generation to share the vision Jones College established in 1911. As donations poured in, some students had the opportunity to meet the donors who have invested in them through the Foundation. Laurel freshman, Madison Shoemake said she’s grateful for the support and is inspired by their gifts.

“As a pre-dental major, I will be in school for nearly 12 years. Receiving the James E. King Memorial Scholarship meant a lot to me because it helps me financially. However, I also think it’s important to give back and get involved in the college I love,” said Shoemake. “I’ve been inspired by those willing to help so many people they’ve never met.”

For more information contact the Jones College Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145. Keep up with the Jones College Alumni and Foundation Office through these social media venues: Facebook-JCJC Alumni and Foundation, Facebook-Jones College, Jones College-Twitter, and Instagram-JCFoundation_Alumni

ELLISVILLE- The Jones County Economic Development Authority in partnership with Jones College’s Workforce College received confirmation from the national organization, ACT Work Ready Communities, that Jones County has met all the requirements to be certified as a Work Ready Community.

“Congratulations to Jones County for becoming an ACT Work Ready Community and joining a growing list of counties dedicated to building a robust workforce,” said ACT Regional Manager of Workforce Initiatives, Tony Garife. “The efforts of the county leadership to achieve WRC certification will provide the community with a tremendous economic development advantage and help it stand out for its workforce development efforts.”

Eighty companies participated in this initiative in Jones County which means they had to agree to either recognize, recommend or require the ACT or NCRC (National Career Readiness Certification) as part of the employment application process. These national standardized certifications through the ACT Work Ready Community program gives counties data and tools to help drive economic growth by identifying skill gaps and quantifying the skill level of the workforce. Utilizing these established indicators helps business and industry quickly determine the success of establishing business and industry in any given area.

“Each county that earns this desired certification is committed to improving an area’s workforce because these guidelines are becoming the industry standard. The ACT Work Ready Certification assists existing and new businesses and industries in developing the future workforce’s capabilities. Jones County looks very appealing now with this certification, “said Ross Tucker, Jones County EDA Executive Director.

This process must be completed within two years however, Jones County met all the goals established by ACT within one year. Tucker attributes this success due to the support from business and industry, and Jones College’s Workforce College.

“One purpose of Jones College Workforce is to assist business and industry with their training needs. This is done through education and developing training programs for pre-employment and continuing education. The ACT Work Ready Community initiative fits nicely within our mission and has been exemplified by the establishment of Jones College’s Work Ready course. This course is required of all Jones College students as it contains vital employability skills and the NCRC. Jones is also expanding the Smart Start Pathway – SSP 1002 course into local high schools. Laurel High School and Enterprise High School are the first two schools to incorporate the class into its course offerings,” said Jennifer Griffith, Dean of Workforce College at Jones College.

According to the ACT Work Ready Community website, the foundation of a community’s certification is based on individuals at the county level across the current, transitioning and emerging workforce earning these credentials and employers recognizing them as a portable, industry-recognized credential that clearly identifies an individual’s WorkKeys® skills in workplace documents, applied math and graphic literacy, which are required skills for 77 percent of jobs based on the ACT JobPro database.

The new designation should have a positive, economic impact soon, according to Tucker. For more information at www.workreadycommunities.org. and Jones County information Jones County or Jones College Workforce College at 601-477-4114.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Fine Arts Department is preparing for an explosion of visual and performing arts in a new event called, “Artrageous.” This blend of visual art with musical performances will be held in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium on Thursday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. free of charge. Every Jones College performing group including the Concert Choir, JC Voices, Jones OnStage, JC Jazz Band, the Theater Department, the Touch of Gold Dance Team, and visual artists will be highlighting their talents in a unique fusion of entertainment. The sensory explosion of art and music is described by Fine Arts Director, Bruce Smith as a layering of the arts, blended into one spectacular night celebrating the many talented faculty and student performers and visual artists.

“You’ll see speed painting to a guitar performance, shadow puppetry while a four-hand, piano piece is performed and there will be Celtic dancing to a flute-choir tune. These are just some of the types of things the audience will enjoy,” said Smith. “We’ll also have student and faculty soloists and an operatic performance.”

Additionally, the “Queen of the Clarinet,” from New Orleans, Doreen Ketchens will perform with the JC Jazz band. JC Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge said he is thrilled to have Ketchens perform with the jazz band.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to perform with a world-class musician. Jones College continues to push the envelope when it comes to providing amazing opportunities for our students. I am proud to be a part of such a spectacular event and to be able to offer it to the community,” said Burge.

The Artrageous event is free of charge and open to the public.  For more information about the Jones College Fine Arts Department or Artrageous, contact the office at 601-477-4203.

Photos by: Jeannie Meyer Photography

 ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s Fine Arts Department invites the public to enjoy an evening of Renaissance music with the JC music department at its annual “Madrigals and More” concert, free of charge. The various small ensembles of JC students and faculty will be performing at First-Trinity Presbyterian Church in Laurel, on Tuesday, October 29, at 7 p.m. This special event spotlights a diverse group of performers from student ensembles and solos, to faculty solos, and faculty-student collaborations, featuring music from composers such as Claudio Monteverdi, Orlando di Lasso, Michael Praetorius, Josquin des Prez, Santiago de Murcia, George Frideric Handel, Tylman Susato.

Concert hosts, JC Voices, under the direction of Dr. Susan A. Smith will perform a variety of selections from the Renaissance, including the stately song, Pastyme with Good Companye, the famous German canon, Sing dem Herrn, and Innsbruck, I Now Must Leave Thee. This year, the madrigal singers will highlight French madrigals, motets, and chansons, while not overlooking the ever-popular English madrigal style of Thomas Morley and the historically significant English anthem by William Byrd, Sing Joyfully.

 In addition to the large ensemble, various small vocal groups and solos will be featured throughout the evening.  Dr. Michael Boyd, JC guitar instructor, will accompany JC students, Bonner Welch of Moselle and Shellie Roberts of Ellisville as they sing the beautiful duet Mignonne allons, voir si la rose. Drs. Boyd, Lindsey Keay, and Theresa Sanchez will also accompany JC student and soprano singer, Reagan Dukes of Laurel as she performs Monteverdi’s, Si dolce è’l tormento.

The audience will also hear somewhat rare instruments, like the harpsichord, played by JC piano instructor, Dr. Sanchez, and the lute, played by Dr. Michael Boyd. Additionally, the Clarinet Choir, Flute Duo, Saxophone Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble will perform led by instrumental conductors, Michelle Graham, Dr. Lindsey Keay, Dr. Ben Burge, and Dr. Patrick Richards.

For more information about “Madrigals and More,” or to find out how to support JC Voices or the Jones College Fine Arts Department call, 601-477-4203.

2019 Members of the Chamber Choir and Madrigal Singers

Kalyn Bales, Stringer

Erin Biglane, Ellisville

Ka’Lisha Carter, Waynesboro

Chicago Collins, Brookhaven

Brittney Darbonne, Laurel

Faith DeCastro, Guam

Lydia Dees, Ellisville

Hayden Dillistone, Laurel

Reagan Dukes, Laurel

Ty Evans, Laurel

Alyssa Garick, Laurel

Kyra Lampley, Laurel

Stephen Langley, Prentiss

Shara Lee-McSwain, Sumrall

Addison Nelms, Brandon

Stuyuncey Nobles, Laurel

Caleb Pearce, Ellisville

Shellie Roberts, Ellisville

Titan Singer, Long Beach

Tellas Smith, Laurel

Michael Thompson, Laurel

Bonner Welch, Moselle