Category: News

ELLISVILLE – Jones College is hosting a community-wide blood drive, Monday through Wednesday, September 19-21, in the D.O. Thoms Physical Education Building. Jones College students with classes in the Industrial Services Building were able to give blood on Monday with Vitalant’s Blood Mobile conveniently located in the parking lot. On Tuesday and Wednesday, donations will be collected in the P.E. Building from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“Our overall goal for the week is 82 units of blood,” said Benji Sessums, Jones College Blood Drive Coordinator and EMT instructor. “Currently, Vitalant says we are in one of the worst blood shortages we’ve had in the area. With the holiday season fast approaching we’re hoping more people will donate and exceed our goal.”

One way to encourage everyone on the JC campus to give, a competition between faculty, staff and students has been initiated. However, Sessums said the community is welcome to donate along with the JC community and “pick” sides in the friendly competition. Door prizes will be available all three days for donors during random drawings.

“Vitalant suggested that we promote Wednesday as a faculty/staff versus student giving day. Anyone can give on all the days, but since Wednesday was not officially a class day for most students and faculty, we wanted to encourage folks to use the day out of class to come and give. We also thought this would be a good day for the community to be encouraged to give,” said Sessums.

Vitalant strongly encourages blood donors to make and keep appointments to give blood but walk-ins are welcome. Scheduling appointments can be made through the website, www.donors.vitalant.org with JC1 Being the Blood Drive Code.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College was one of eleven educational institutions and the only Mississippi school to receive a $25,000 grant from the American Welding Society’s Foundation. The grant was awarded with the intention of these institutions making improvements, investing in capital items such as welding or metalworking equipment or purchase/upgrade computers or computer-based training systems.

Welding is critical to the American  manufacturing, construction, and energy infrastructure. A skilled welder is a vital component in rebuilding the American workforce. Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the American Welding Society Foundation said, “We applaud the dedication Jones County Junior College has demonstrated in expanding their welding education programs and facilities, their commitment to the welding industry, and cultivating the next generation of welding technicians and professionals through education is inspiring.”

As a professional welder and the Jones College’s Dean of Career and Technical Education, Rod Tolbert said the additional welding equipment will provide additional opportunities for students to get hands-on-training, minimizing down time waiting in the shop.

“This grant will allow the welding program to be more efficient in the flow of work through the shop, as well as giving students the opportunity to utilize the latest equipment available,” said Tolbert. “The workforce gap for trained welders is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. Jones College is here to close that gap by increasing student recruitment, graduates and supplying the welding industry with skilled welders.”

Purchasing three, multi-process welder machines, wire feeders for the machines and two plasma cutters is expected to help mitigate the welding workforce demand by offering more students the opportunity to become skilled welders. This state-of-the-art equipment, along with the updated welding machines and the additional plasma cutters are critical to the manufacturing industry are vital components to rebuilding the American workforce according to Tolbert.

“Typically, Jones College’s welding programs have about 40-50 students complete the program with most being employed upon graduation. The additional equipment purchased with the AWS Foundation Grant will enable JC to enroll up to 120 students in all three pathways,” said Tolbert.

Jones College offers day and night classes and three, degree options for welding students including a two-semester career certificate, a three-semester technical welding certificate, and a four-semester associate in applied science degree. Additionally, there are Welding Certificate options and specialized industry training through Workforce College. For more information about Jones College’s welding programs click on these two websites https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/welding/ or https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/programs/welding/

Photo: USM Interim President, Dr. Joe Paul, (pictured center left) recently met with administrators at Jones College to build upon the institutions’ relationship and future endeavors. Pictured left to right is Jones College’s Chief of Staff, Jon Fennell; Executive Vice President of Business Affairs & Chief Financial Officer, Christy Holifield; Executive Vice President, Chief of Enrollment Management, Information Technology and Marketing Officer, Dr. Finee’ Ruffin; USM President, Dr. Joe Paul; Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith; Provost, Rick Youngblood; Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Tessa Flowers and Vice President of Advancement & Athletics, Dean of Students, Joel Cain.

ELLISVILLE – The University of Southern Mississippi’s Interim President, Dr. Joe Paul met with several Jones College administrators recently to discuss new ways to build upon the two institution’s relationship with students. Some ideas the two presidents discussed included how to make it easier for students to transition to USM and other transfer services, along with 2+2 agreements. This is the first time many of the Jones College administrators have met the new interim USM president and are eager to build more partnerships between JC and USM in the future.

ELLISVILLE – Despite the rain this week, Jones College students were all smiles and happy to be back on campus. Many of the students prepared for the drenching rain and said they are ready for the student activities and athletic events to begin. The first event, Meet the Bobcats was scheduled to be held Wednesday, August 24, but organizers moved the event to Thursday, September 1, at 5 p.m. before the first home football game of the season. The Bobcats face the Itawamba Indians at 7 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field, rain or shine!

 

ELLISVILLE – The 160 member Maroon Typhoon Marching Band at Jones College is preparing a memorable half time performance and traditional pre-game show presenting songs that get “stuck in your head.” This year, the half-time show is a mix of music from the most played Karaoke chart toppers. Music from the 70’s through today will be scattered across the show as the Maroon Typhoon brings a night of Karaoke to its audience. Some songs include the music from Outkast, the B52’s, Brittney Spears, Neil Diamond, the Cranberries and Snoop Dogg are on the lineup.

“The band had an incredible band camp learning how to march cohesively and play some new challenging but fun music. I’m proud of how this group of students is working hard and rising to every challenge. They are making some great music and they are already bonding into the Typhoon Family,” said Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge.

The Maroon Typhoon will present its traditional pre-game show consisting of the JCJC Fight Song Fanfares, the National Anthem and the JC Fight Song. The Touch of Gold dancers will be featured during the musical presentation of “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga. The band ends the show with the fan favorite, JC Jam cheer and Hey Song.

“We are super proud of the students’ hard work and all the progress they are making in camp. I am looking forward to a wonderful season,” said Dr. Lindsey Keay.

The band’s first appearance will be on Wednesday, August 24, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. as part of the Meet the Bobcats event in Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field. The public is invited to this free event.

For more information about the Maroon Typhoon contact Dr. Ben Burge by email at ben.burge@jcjc.edu and for the home football schedule featuring the Maroon Typhoon’s performances click on the JC Athletics website at https://jcbobcats.com/

 Name                         City          High School                     Instrument

Julianna Anderson   Petal   Petal High School        01 Flute

Hailey (Ryvanna) Brown Laurel   Northeast Jones High School     01 Flute

Kalilah Cash   Ellisville         South Jones High School   01 Flute

Kendra Collins  Seminary        South Jones High School      01 Flute

Angela Cruz-Diaz   Florence  McLaurin High School    01 Flute

Halie Dunn    Collins  Collins High School  01 Flute

Julie King   Hattiesburg     Seminary High School     01 Flute

Erica Kitchens   Seminary South Jones High School   01 Flute

Jessica Long  Clara   Wayne County High School 01 Flute

Jacey Mangrum Collins Collins High School      01 Flute

Eileen Ortega   Seminary   Seminary Attendance Center  01 Flute

Kristlyn Parker  Collins   Seminary Attendance Center   01 Flute

Kambri Pippin  Laurel  Northeast Jones High School   01 Flute

Brittney Smith  Lucedale  Greene County High School    01 Flute

Kaylea Yates    Collins   South Jones High School   01 Flute

Kaitlyn  Beasley    Ellisville     Wayne County High School   02 Clarinet

Xowi Bush  Laurel      West Jones ones High School   02 Clarinet

Elda Cook    Ellisville  South Jones High School  02 Clarinet

Erin Fairchild  Seminary   Seminary High School    02 Clarinet

Madison Foxworth  Foxworth   West Marion High School    02 Clarinet

Heighlie Frias    Laurel    West Jones High School   02 Clarinet

Dayanara (Michel) Gonzalez Magee    Magee High School    02 Clarinet

Destiny (Lanae) Keyes   Laurel   Laurel High School       02 Clarinet

Isabella Kittrell  State Line  Wayne County High School    02 Clarinet

Kaitlyn  Massie  Ellisville   South Jones High School  02 Clarinet

Alexus McCullum  Ellisville   South Jones High School  02 Clarinet

Lorin Musgrove Soso    West Jones High School      02 Clarinet

Katlyn Myrick     Soso  West Jones High School   02 Clarinet

Zoe Payne  Quitman   Quitman High School   02 Clarinet

Madilyn Pitts   Pachuta    Enterprise High School    02 Clarinet

Aaron Reiher   Soso   West Jones High School   02 Clarinet

Lena Ruble   Petal    Petal High School   02 Clarinet

Katelyn Singley   Mize  Magee High School    02 Clarinet

Darla Williams   Waynesboro    Wayne County High School    02 Clarinet

Logan  Ingram Morton Raleigh   Raleigh High School    03 Alto sax

Tykevia Watson Laurel    Northeast Jones High School   03 Alto Sax

India Dearman    Leakesville  Greene County High School    03 Saxophone

Chloe Entrekin   Ellisville  South Jones High School   03 Saxophone

Eboni McDonald   Taylorsville    West Jones High School 03  Saxophone

Leigha Thompson  Ellisville  South Jones High School    03 Saxophone

Sydney Tisdale    Ellisville   South Jones High School  03 Saxophone

Stacy (Darlene) Villaseca    Laurel   Northeast Jones HS   03 Saxophone

Phoebe Boozer  Seminary   South Jones HS   04 Tenor Saxophone

Tony Ducksworth Taylorsville  Taylorsville High School 04 Tenor Saxophone

Dawson Temple   Mize  Mize Attendance Center  04 Tenor saxophone

Sarah Beavers  Mize  Mize Attendance Center  05 Horn

Zachary Hand     Mize   Mize Attendance Center  05 Horn

Emari Moody   Shubuta   Quitman High School  05 Horn

Camryn Torres   Gautier  Gautier High School   05 Horn

Ethan Ainsworth   Laurel  West Jones High School   06 Trumpet

Hailey Graves   Soso  West Jones High School   06 Trumpet

Julius (Jay) Green  Terry   Terry High School  06 Trumpet

Luis Hernandez  Laurel   Northeast Jones High School   06 Trumpet

Danielle Hollinghead  Glade Northeast Jones High School  06 Trumpet

Summer Hughes  Mize Mize Attendance Center   06 Trumpet

Mersadi McCarter  Louin  Raleigh High School   06 Trumpet

Cambrie McRee    Ellisville   South Jones High School   06 Trumpet

Ethan Noffke   Seminary Seminary High School  06 Trumpet

Isaiah Pleas  Laurel  West Jones High School     06 Trumpet

Summer Satcher     Enterprise   Enterprise High School   06 Trumpet

Kyyora Sidney  Laurel  Laurel High School   06 Trumpet

Reagan Thornton  Laurel   Northeast Jones High School  06 Trumpet

Callie Tisdale Florence    Richland High School   06 Trumpet

William (Kai) Welborn   Petal  Petal High School  06 Trumpet

Trinity Williams  Brooklyn  Forrest County AHS   06 Trumpet

Andres Avalos   Soso    West Jones High School   07 Trombone

Josef Castillo  Laurel     Northeast Jones High School 07 Trombone

Kylan Combest Laurel    Laurel High School   07 Trombone

Keandranique Gilbert  Laurel   Laurel High School     07 Trombone

Jennifer Hernandez   Laurel    Northeast Jones High School  07 Trombone

Briana McGinty Purvis  Purvis High School   Trombone

Ethan Roberts   Collins   Mt. Olive Attendance Center   07 Trombone

Ian Sam   Flowood Northwest Rankin High School  07 Trombone

Miyalexis Douglas  Pearl   Pearl High School   08 Euphonium

TJ May  Mendenhall     Mendenhall High School  08 Euphonium

De’Juan (DJ) Odems    Gautier    Gautier High School  08 Euphonium

James Rigdon   Ellisville  South Jones High School   08 Euphonium

Alyssa (Max) Adams Laurel   West Jones High School   09 Tuba

Trinity Gieger    Laurel   West Jones High School     09 Tuba

Ronald (R.J.)  Hughes   Laurel   West Jones High School   09 Tuba

Nylah (Gabby) McKenzie       Laurel   Laurel High School    09 Tuba

Caleb Nichols    Heidelberg   Northeast Jones High School  09 Tuba

J’Len Noel   Quitman  Quitman High School   09 Tuba

Leo Norman  Ellisville   South Jones High School   09 Tuba

Cameron Pippen    Laurel   Northeast Jones High School  09 Tuba

Xavier Porter  Laurel    Laurel High School   09 Tuba

Aaron Mason    Raleigh  Raleigh High School   10 Bass 1

Conner Smith   Mize   Mize Attendance Center  10 Bass 2

Drake Sellers   Mize  Mize Attendance Center    10 Bass 3

Cody Holliday  Florence  Florence High School   10 Bass 4

Michael Arevalo    Pearl    Pearl High School    10 Snare

Logan Evans   Laurel    Northeast Jones High School    10 Snare

Casie Husack     Moselle  South Jones High School  10 Snare

Adrian Roberts   Shubuta   Quitman High School   10 Snare

Peyton Rowell   Petal   Petal High School   10 Snare

Joshua Evans    Waynesboro    Wayne County High School  10 Tenors

Jeffery Wimbley Chatom, AL  Washington County HS  10 Tenors

Nicolas Barnes  Hattiesburg  Purvis High School  Lamar 11 Front Ensemble

Michael Beasley  Buckatunna  Wayne County High School 11 Front Ensemble

Aidan Brewton  Bay Springs    Bay Springs High School  11 Front Ensemble

Tyler Cash   Ellisville South Jones High School 11 Front Ensemble

Shana Davis  Jayess    Woodlawn Prep High School   11 Front Ensemble

Kaitlyn Huddleston  Laurel    West Jones High School   11 Front Ensemble

Jordan Stianche     Petal  Petal High School   11 Front Ensemble

Lakiriya (Kira) Stokes   Waynesboro    Wayne County HS  11 Front Ensemble

Bradley Tyson Petal  Petal High School  11 Front Ensemble

Haley Robinson   Florence    Florence High School  12 Cologuard

Hayleigh Cantrell  Brandon   Puckett High School   12 Colorguard

Mya Carter    Pearl    Pearl High School      12 Colorguard

Taylor Channell   Pearl Pearl High School  12 Colorguard

Anahi Chercoles    Forest     Forest High School    12 Colorguard

Kaitlin Davis  Meridian  Enterprise High School   12 Colorguard

Emilee (Paige) Farve  Heidelberg  Northeast Jones HS  12 Colorguard

Arielle Grimaldo  Moselle  South Jones High School  12 Colorguard

Gabrielle Hankins Purvis Northeast Jones High School  12 Colorguard

Alisha Hudson  Laurel  Northeast Jones High School  12 Colorguard

Emma Jackson   Brandon  Northwest Rankin High School  12 Colorguard

Jay’Nia Keyes   Taylorsville    Mize Attendance Center  12 Colorguard

Gabriella Lopez    Brandon   Northwest Rankin High School   12 Colorguard

Kaylee Moss (Fulgum) Laurel  West Jones High School      12 Colorguard

Charlee Norman  Ellisville   South Jones High School    12 Colorguard

Ardajah Pierce     Laurel  Northeast Jones High School  12 Colorguard

Haley Robinson  Florence   Florence High School     12 Colorguard

Dori Saranthus   Magee   Mize Attendance Center   12 Colorguard

Rebekah Sudduth  Pearl    Pearl High School     Rankin   12 Colorguard

Christian (Doll) Swindle  Waynesboro Wayne County HS   12 Colorguard

Lily Taylor   Pearl   Pearl High School     12 Colorguard

Layken Valentine   Ellisville   West Jones High School    12 Colorguard

Sheridan White      Soso   West Jones High School   12 Colorguard

Kelly Biglane  Ellisville  South Jones High School   13 Dancer

Bailie  Bishop   Taylorsville    West Jones High School  13 Dancer

Weslyn Blackwell  Ellisville     South Jones High School    13 Dancer

Hanna  Broadwater   Pearl   Pearl High School   13 Dancer

Taylor Garretson Leakesville  Greene County High School    13 Dancer

Haley Gibbs   Laurel    Excellence in Learning Academy   13 Dancer

Karlee Green   Laurel      West Jones High School      13 Dancer

Kendall Johnson   Soso   West Jones High School    13 Dancer

Kelsey Lawrence      Ellisville   South Jones High School   13 Dancer

Kinsey Lawson  Ellisville      South Jones High School   13 Dancer

Meg Matthews   Raleigh    Raleigh High School   13 Dancer

Madi Temple     Pearl   Pearl High School     13 Dancer

Jessie Wallace      Mendenhall     Simpson Academy   13 Dancer

Jessica Manning  Quitman   Quitman High School   15 Drum Major

Melania Sanders    Columbia  Columbia High School    15 Drum Major

Rachel Turner    Petal   Perry Central High School   15 Drum Major

Donna Cameron     Kokomo   West Marion High School   16 Manager

Tyler Dunn     Waynesboro    Wayne County High School   16 Manager

Cameron Freeman    New Augusta    Perry Central High School    16 Manager

Emma Hampton  Petal   Petal High School    16 Manager

Serenity (Cici) Lawson  Petal        Petal High School  16 Manager

Sydnee Mabe   Petal    Petal High School     16 Manager

Marcus Nixon      Laurel    West Jones High School  16 Manager

Brandy Roper     Wiggins    Stone High School     16 Manager

Gracye Tower    Runnelstown   Perry Central High School  16 Manager

Alexandria (Alli) Smith   Waynesboro    Wayne County HS    16 Manager