Category: News

ELLISVILLE- Jones College was thrilled to be able to host WDAM-TV’s annual Top of Class 2022 recognition program with a live event, post COVID-19 which forced the cancellation and modification of the event the past two years. The tradition of honoring the Valedictorians and Salutatorians from 45 high schools in the Pine Belt had never been canceled in the 23-year history of Jones College hosting the event, prior to 2020.

“This group of seniors magnificently adjusted to the changes the COVID-19 pandemic forced upon us all and thrived. Jones College was excited to be able to partner with WDAM-TV to honor the Top of Class 2022 with this special event and recognition program which honors the academic achievements of our high school students in the Pine Belt,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Students heard from Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Rho Sigma Chapter President, Mya McLain of Waynesboro who is a sophomore at Jones College, and the 2020 Wayne Academy Valedictorian. Additionally, the class of 2022 enjoyed wisdom from WDAM-TV General Manager & V.P., Tim Walker and Jones College Provost, Rick Youngblood. Each student was recognized and received a special, Top of Class Certificate of Achievement, commemorative T-Shirt and participated in the traditional, Hat Toss.

Highlights from the event, along with the academic achievements of the Pine Belt’s Top of Class 2022 will be seen daily on WDAM-TV beginning on Monday, May16. The Valedictorian and Salutatorians from two high schools will be featured in a one-minute segment at 5:58 a.m. before WDAM 7 Sunrise Morning News program, through June 17, 2022. Additionally, the Top of the Class videos can be found on the WDAM-TV web page https://www.wdam.com/topofclass/

 

ELLISVILLE – The 2022 Jones College graduates will hear from Ellisville native and Navy “TOPGUN” Major Nick Laviano as the keynote speaker for the 94th Commencement Ceremony held on Friday, May 20, at 8 p.m.  The ceremony will be held on the North Lawn of Jones Hall with plans to move the event to the A.B. Howard/Bobcat Gymnasium if there is inclement weather.

Seating will be first come first serve with about 660 students expected to participate in the ceremony. Graduates will receive either an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, or a Career Certificate. To watch the ceremony live, check the website, http://www.jcjc.edu/   For questions specifically regarding the 2022 graduation ceremony, please contact Kacie Birdsong at 601-477-4137.

Major Nick Laviano is a graduate of South Jones High School. In 2003, he attended Jones County Junior College and earned his Associates Degree in 2005. In 2008, he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University. Upon completion of his degree, he was accepted into the United States Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ensign in January 2009. In June of 2011, after pilot training at multiple bases around the country, Laviano was designated as a Naval Aviator. His first operational assignment was in Lemoore, California, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) where he flew the FA-18E Super Hornet.

As his time at VFA-86 ended, he decided to pursue a lifelong dream and applied to the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He was selected to attend the course in May 2016 and received follow-on orders to remain at the school as an instructor. For three years, Major Laviano flew the FA-18C, FA-18E/F, and F-16A and trained students in advanced tactics for aerial combat. At the conclusion of his tour at TOPGUN, he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 31 (VFA-31) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In his role as the squadron’s Training Officer, he prepared pilots for a wide range of military missions. After his tour at VFA-31, he retired from active duty in the Navy and transitioned to the District of Columbia Air National Guard. Major Laviano is now assigned to the 121st Fighter Squadron where he flies the F-16C. He currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Alicia and son Myles.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College sophomore associate degree nursing students, Lauryn Wheat-Petal; Jalyn Freeman-Waynesboro; Kayla White-State Line; Cassandra Warden-Purvis and Jenna Hillman-Richton were inducted into the Nursing Honor Society, Alpha Delta Nu. Requirements for induction into the Nursing Honor Society include having a “B” average in all nursing courses with no repeats, complete a capstone project prior to graduation and demonstrate conduct on campus and in clinical areas which reflect integrity and professionalism.

“These students are all well thought of at Jones and their knowledge and skills are also outstanding. They are caring individuals and we are proud of their success at Jones College, and in the nursing profession,” said Danielle Matthews, A.D. Nursing instructor and co-advisor for Alpha Delta Nu at Jones College.

Family, friends and students gathered for the induction ceremony to recognize the achievements of the five students. Twenty-eight Associate Degree Nursing students are expected to celebrate completing the program on Thursday, May 19, with a pinning ceremony at Jones College.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College held its annual “Retirement Tea” for six employees who are retiring this year. When combined, these six employees provided 119 years of service to JC, with some having additional years of service working at other professional/educational institutions.

This year’s retirees include Arlena Sullivan who has been teaching business/economics courses at Jones College for 28 years. Rochelle Dahmer has been teaching English at Jones College for 25 years. Diasetta Nelson has 23 years of service to the college in environmental safety. Diane Love has been working in the college Bookstore for 16 years. Lisa Purdum worked in eLearning and marketing for 15 years. Stan Livingston has served as Chief of the Campus Police for 12 years.

Picture Cutline 2022 retiree group: Six Jones College employees were honored at the annual Retirement Tea, celebrating their service to the college and retirement in 2022. Pictured seated left to right are Diane Love, Rochelle Dahmer and Arlena Sullivan. Pictured standing left to right are Lisa Purdum, Chief Stan Livingston, and Diasetta Nelson.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College sophomore, Natalee Ainsworth of Laurel was crowned “Most Beautiful 2022” at the annual Jones College Most Beautiful Pageant, held April 12, in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. JC’s “Most

Beautiful 2021,” Caidyn Crowder returned to bestow the crown upon this year’s winner. Ainsworth competed with 29 JC students vying for the title.

Earning the First Alternate honors was Summer Boyd of Laurel, with Keely Skellion of Ellisville receiving the Second Alternate title. Third Alternate went to Abney Pittman of Waynesboro and Fourth Alternate was Analee Dumas of Petal. Top Ten winners included Isabella Graham of Stringer, Karlee Green of Laurel, Mackenzie Goleman of Moselle, Madalyn Stringer of Laurel, Abigail Stauffer of Laurel, Ainsworth, Boyd, Skellion, Pittman and Dumas.

Other winners included Mary Kebodeaux of Richton who earned the title of “Miss Congeniality,” and Keely Skellion won the title of “Most Photogenic.” The audience chose Bralynn Newell of Newton to win the title of “Audience Choice.”

“I appreciate the JC ‘family’ for coming out to support their friends in the pageant, this year, which seemed more ‘normal’ since the pandemic kept a lot of people home last year,” said Journalism advisor, Kelly Atwood. “I’d also like to thank the Pageant Directors, Dr. Tessa Flowers and Bruce Smith because this event would be impossible without them. Also, I’d like to thank our emcee for the night, Renee Adcock, Jones OnStage for providing entertainment for the evening, Horticulture instructor Wendy Wilkerson and her students decorated the auditorium beautifully, and Patrick Trest provided technical support which helped make the night perfect. There were many more people behind the scenes who also played an important part in creating a beautiful event.”

The Most Beautiful Pageant is hosted by the Jones College Yearbook, The Lair.