Sertoma Club of Laurel adds to its Jones College scholarships
ELLISVILLE – For the first time in more than 30 years, the Sertoma Club of Laurel held its monthly meeting at Jones College in Ellisville to get an update on the college and to give the Jones College Foundation a $15,000 check to increase the clubs’ endowed scholarship, for a total of $25,000. The Sertoma Club established the scholarship in 2015, after establishing an annual $500 scholarship in 2013. Scholarships are one method of ensuring the clubs’ mission of helping children with speech and hearing issues find resources and assistance.
“We’ve been blessed to have good sponsorships for our golf tournaments and T-Ball programs,” said Vice President of the Sertoma Club, Wayne Myrick. “The Sertoma Club of Laurel has assisted anyone needing help in obtaining hearing aids to cochlear implants. The newest project the Club has been involved with includes installing assistive listening technology in theater auditoriums that can broadcast directly to a wide range of hearing aids to help the hearing impaired enjoy performances.”
The additional scholarship money provided by the Sertoma Club will provide more scholarships and possibly bigger scholarships for Jones College students majoring in speech and hearing related majors. Freshman MaKayla Blakeney of Raleigh was awarded this year’s scholarship during the meeting and shared why she is majoring in audiology or speech pathology.
“I have a family member that is deaf, and growing up around him, I’ve always been very interested in it, and I wanted a job in the health field because I love helping people. Being an audiologist or speech pathologist is a combination of all the things I’m interested in,” said Blakeney, who is also a member of the Lady Bobcat Softball Team. “Receiving my education is very important to me; my parents have always pushed and supported me. This opportunity arose and it’s been amazing! I am very blessed and grateful.”
Head Softball Coach, Tori Dew shared when she was a student at Jones College, she also received a Foundation Scholarship like Blakeney. “Scholarships are one way to get an education and move your life forward for the next 20 to 30 years. My JC Foundation Scholarship helped me further my education and I’m honored to be a part of MaKayla’s life to watch and see how she does in the future.”
The impact of scholarships goes beyond the student recipient. Jones College’s Vice President of External Funding, Sabrina Young explained that the Sertoma Club has established a legacy that is sustaining and far reaching.
“Not only does the student benefit through education, but the community needing these services is also impacted. The Sertoma Club helping the education community brings it all full circle because scholarships impact hundreds of lives as students become professionals providing life-changing services to even more communities.”
During the Sertoma Club’s meeting, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith also shared some of the college’s priorities and current projects that impact services and education. Currently, Jones College provides workforce training for about 9,000 noncredit students in addition to the annual average of 4,600 traditional college aged, university parallel students on campus in Ellisville and at the four County Centers in Bay Springs, Leakesville, Stonewall and Waynesboro. The Jasper County Center in Bay Springs is currently pursuing an expansion to support local industry and current market demands. Additionally, Jones College is embracing the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence and how to safely incorporate it into education to benefit the community. One example includes a new, STEM Center currently being designed to provide interactive, technology laden labs for science, math and technology majors in addition to students majoring in medical related fields.
Students traveling to campus will enjoy the renovations to the Student Union in the back part of the A.B. Howard Gymnasium which will include a Starbucks and a place for students to “hang out.”
Smith ended his update on Jones College by emphasizing, that while you can get a good start at Jones College, it doesn’t mean you have to stop there. “We have people competing at the highest level in most industries because they got a great start and they have aspired to continue to improve. How they make it to the top is all about the journey,” explained Smith.
Jones College hosts annual Fall Blood Drive
ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s annual Fall Blood Drive will be held Monday through Wednesday, September 18, 19 and 20, at Jones College. On Monday, the Mobile Unit will be parked outside of the Industrial Services Building from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Tuesday and Wednesday, Vitalant will be collecting donations in the D.O. Thoms P.E. Building’s Gym from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The public, as well as the JC community is invited to participate by making an appointment on the Vitalant website, https://donors.vitalant.org/
“This is the time of year in which the need for blood products increases as the upcoming holiday season approaches. Both the community and more importantly, our Jones College students, faculty and staff have an opportunity to give back to our community. About 60 of our students assist with the blood drive to get community service hours but we’ve also discovered they are impacted by the drive itself,” said JC Blood Drive Coordinator, JCJC Emergency Technology-Paramedic Program Director and Healthcare Simulation Center Director, Benji Sessums, Ph.D. NR-P.
Last spring, Jones College sophomore, Alexis Kittrell of Mize volunteered and shared, “Jones College can really come together. So many people came to give blood that there were not enough bags! Something as simple as donating a little bit of your blood can be used in such a big way to help someone else.”
The overall goal for the three-days is 105 units of blood stated Sessums. To encourage donations, T-shirts will be given to all donors and Door Prizes will be available all three days for donors during random drawings.
Jones College’s art gallery features works of Bethanie Wilson
ELLISVILLE – The artwork of Bethanie Wilson of Hattiesburg is now on display in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at Jones College through September 15, 2023. She will be sharing more about her work at an “Art Talk” on Wednesday, September 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the art gallery on the Ellisville campus.
Wilson’s large, oil paintings depict portions of her life being raised in rural Forrest County, near Hattiesburg, where she developed an intimate love for drawing the landscapes and life around her, with some of those pieces on display at the free showing at Jones College. Her work is also on display at the Mainstreet Gallery in Hattiesburg, and she is working as an adjunct art instructor at William Carey University.
She began her formal painting career her freshman year of college at William Carey University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and master’s in education degree in Art. Passionately exploring the infinite painting world, Wilson is heavily influenced by artists such as Mark Rothko, Claude Monet, and Joan Mitchell. The energetic color abstractions she creates are sincere spiritual and emotional expressions.
“As an artist, I bring out the life within me, through strokes of paint, I can’t express in words. In my work, it interests me to evoke an intellectual emotion; each element of a piece is thoughtfully composed by strategic theory of color and composition partnered with an embodiment of human experience. Object matter is taken away, but the memories and senses shared remain. I am enlightened through my faith that unapologetically tells a personal journey between creation and Creator. What I veil upon the canvas is evidence of things not seen, literally. When I paint, I am engaged in a visual conversation,” explained Wilson.
The young artist has received art awards including Best in Painting Award at the 2020 Mississippi Collegiate Art competition, winning the 2021 Art Student Exhibition at the Sarah Gillespie Museum of Art, the Best in Show Award at the 2022 South Mississippi Art Association Juried Exhibition. She has been featured in shows held in the Odd Fellows Gallery, Sarah Gillespie Museum of Art, the Hattiesburg Cultural Center, Lucile Parker Gallery and at the University Baptist Church gallery space.
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, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.
Jones College’s Maroon Typhoon led by experienced Drum Majors
ELLISVILLE – Leading the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band at Jones College are four students: two returning sophomores and two new freshmen. Both newcomers are Jones County residents with a long history of musicianship. Northeast Jones High School graduate, Hannah Latham has been playing clarinet since sixth grade and continued until her junior year in high school to become a drum major.
“Being drum major is such a thrilling feeling unlike anything else,” said Latham. “I can’t wait for this season and I’m ready for the experiences and impact that Jones will have on my life. I am currently a vocal major, and I hope to share my love for music with as many people as I possibly can.”
She describes this year’s Maroon Typhoon Marching Band’s half time show as being “super exciting” because there is a lot of popular music that will be recognizable for many.
“This show is a perfect example of how hard we have worked, and I cannot wait for people to be blown away by it. I’m also looking forward to all the friendships I’ll make along with becoming a better leader. I can’t wait to gain more experience with what I love doing!” said Latham.
Joining Latham is freshman Braden Yarber, a South Jones High School graduate. His band experience began in eighth grade playing mallets as a percussionist and continuing through his freshman year of high school. Yarber was named a drum major his sophomore year and continued through his senior year. The Medical Laboratory Science major is pursuing a career in medical studies and research but is enjoying his musical experiences at Jones College.
“Although I have only been a member of the Maroon Typhoon for a short time, I have already enjoyed the new memories and friends I have made. I am looking forward to watching the band grow and improve as performers and as a family throughout this season,” said Yarber.
Returning sophomores to the drum major podium are music education major, Jessica Manning from Quitman who also plays alto saxophone, and Melania Sanders from Columbia. Manning served as drum major for three years at Quitman High School. The alto saxophonist has plans to make music her career and is thrilled to return to the drum major podium this season. Manning’s family is also rooted at Jones. Her parents, Douglas and Carla Manning are JC alumni with their daughter Hannah, being a 2021 member of the Maroon Typhoon as a trumpet player. Jessica said she will also be sharing her vocal talents singing in the Concert Choir at Jones.
Melania Sanders’ family tree also includes several JC Bobcats. Her sister, Kimberly played trumpet in the JC band and convinced Melania to pick up the horn too. Her mother and her cousin came to JC and Sanders said a lot of her friends have made Jones College their choice too. However, her rodeo skills and the agricultural opportunities at Jones are what sold Sanders on being a part of the Bobcat family.
While her career goal is to be a veterinarian, Sanders has been playing trumpet since sixth grade. She was the drum major for her last two years at Columbia High School and is also ready to take the field as a Maroon Typhoon Drum Major for her last season at Jones College. For more information about the JC Band and the Fine Arts program click https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or email Dr. Burge at ben.burge@jcjc.edu
Jones College practical nursing grads fill critical demand
ELLISVILLE – A total of 38 practical nursing graduates completed Jones College’s three-semester program, filling a critical need at area health care facilities and hospitals. The Ellisville campus had 24 graduates while 14 students completed the inaugural program at the Jasper County Center in Bay Springs with a pinning and completion ceremony.
“Class for those students in Bay Springs started as a whirlwind last August, and they have come through with grace. This group also dove right into doing community service that was appreciated by many,” said Jones College Practical Nursing Director, Amy Myers. “At the main campus in Ellisville, 24 graduates are entering the nursing profession during a massive nursing shortage. We welcome them to the healthcare family.”
At the pinning and completion ceremony in Bay Springs, three students earned honors awarded by faculty members. Receiving Jasper County Center’s Florence Nightingale Award for the first, practical nursing class was Kamilia Ross of Louin, while the Rising Star Award went to Lexi Sims of Bay Springs. Shelsea Harden of Stringer received the Academic Excellence Award.
Earning the Florence Nightingale Award for the Ellisville class was Sally Sharplin of Moselle. Monica Lawrence of Hattiesburg earned the Rising Star Award and Lanett Travis of Hattiesburg was awarded the Academic Excellence honor for having the overall highest average.
To learn more about the practical nursing program at the Jasper County Center call, 601-477-5473, email Sonya Ready at sonya.ready@jcjc.edu or check out the Jones College website on practical nursing at https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/practicalnursing/
Jasper County Practical Nursing grads August 2023 (14)
- O’Nett Lorrell Booth, Collins
- Destinee Burton, Mize
- Madalyn Grace Bynum, Stringer
- Shelsea Harden, Stringer
- Anna Grace Dykes, Stringer
- Isabella Graham, Stringer
- Delayna Harris, Stringer
- Jordyn Marie Harris, Bay Springs
- Abigayle Kupperschmid, Stringer
- Kailya L Pierce, Heidelberg
- Kamilia A Ross, Louin
- Victoria (Lexi) Sims, Bay Springs
- Anthony T Steele, Bay Springs
- Sarah Elaine Thompson, Stringer
JC Ellisville Practical Nursing grads August 2023 (24)
- Nickolas Ray Bustin, Laurel
- Leigh Ann Coppins Toomsuba
- Jeralyn Christine Doss, Petal
- Christina Foster, Millry AL
- Renee Hardy, Laurel
- Kassidy K Gray, Waynesboro
- Laura Hendry, Bassfield
- Hines Nicholas M, Poplarville
- Doneja Abrielle Hinton, Waynesboro
- Jada Makyla Holmes, Waynesboro
- Destini Rashanti Keeton, Waynesboro
- Creshona Kenny, McComb
- Monica N Lawrence, Hattiesburg
- Demetria Karin Lewis, Brookhaven
- Kaice Janae Lumpkins, Columbia
- Samantha McGowan, Laurel
- Dayna Miller, Hattiesburg
- McKenzie Moses, McComb
- Sally V Sharplin, Moselle
- Latoya Nevida Steele, Kemper County
- Jameshey Strickland, Hattiesburg
- Lanett S Travis, Hattiesburg
- Annabelle Walters, Laurel
- Chloe White, Waynesboro