Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE – During Jones College’s “Art Talk” with Hattiesburg artist and William Carey University Associate Professor of Art and Department Chair, Chatham Kemp, Jones College art students and guests discovered why she focuses on the use of color in her oil paintings. A collection of Kemp’s large oil paintings influenced by tropical environments and other colorful locations, are currently on display at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the Jones College campus in Ellisville.

“Color is powerful because it’s emotional. I think when we look at color it has a different effect on us than just looking at a drawing, so I hope the work feels joyful and alive. Also, I’ve been kind of interested in flirting with the line between the heat in the paintings feeling comfortable or feeling like the south or a tropical environment, or the heat feeling a little bit uncomfortable or a little bit inconvenient, so I think the exhibit is interesting for that reason,” said Kemp.

Jones College students, Atlas Hembree of Meridian, Ella Young of Laurel, Lillian Hall of Ellisville, and Anna Bufkin of Greene County discussed different aspects of art and design with Kemp prior to the Art Talk with a larger group of art majors and guests. She also offered the opportunities available to art students in the William Carey University art program which has been growing over the past 12 years. Additionally, Kemp offered some advice to the young artists still learning about the various options to market their artwork.

“It’s hard to make a living as an artist so you have to learn the business side, the marketing side and become an entrepreneur. Teaching is also a great way of making a living, along with graphic design but you have to be a self-starter. We teach you how to solve problems on a high level in terms of visual problems in painting and drawing classes which also apply to your life and career. So, don’t get discouraged if you’re not making your way; ask experienced artists for advice,” Kemp offered.

The large and colorful oil paintings by Kemp will be on display in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery until October 20. For more information about upcoming JC art shows 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.

ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s Concert Choirs will be performing at several locations in the Jones County area this fall. The 75-member choral group will begin the concert season with a brief performance at the Alumni Luncheon during Homecoming activities on Saturday, October 28, at about noon in the A.B. Howard Gymnasium.  On Sunday, October 29, Glade Baptist Church will host a 6 p.m. concert called, “Light,” and on Sunday, November 12, the Concert Choir will be hosted by the First Baptist Church of Ellisville at 6 p.m. for the “Lux” concert. The traveling performance season will conclude with a Christmas Concert at Moselle Memorial Baptist Church at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 3.

The Jones College Fine Arts Department will hold its annual Christmas with the Arts, featuring all of the performing groups and special guests on Thursday and Friday, November 30, and December 1, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. For more information about any of these performances check out the social media pages https://www.facebook.com/joneschoir or https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts

Jones College Choir Members Hometown

Trinity Amason, Mize*

Kimberly Arevalo, Pearl*

Marvertrius Arrington, Waynesboro*

Karoline Ayres, Heidelberg*

Daniel Baldwin, Meridian*

James Brashier, Eucutta

Jayen Bridges, Laurel

Hannah Byrd, State Line*

Antarian Chapman, Hebron

Michael Clark, Laurel

Z’marion Cooley, Laurel

Angeleak Conerly, Columbia

Jaylynn Conner, Waynesboro

Walker Dear, Florence*

Jessie Deare, Sumrall*

Britton Dunnam, Sand Hill

Gabriel Elkins, Sandersville

Silas Ensign, Laurel*

Savannah Gatlin, Laurel*

Tristen Goss, Pulaski

Caleb Griffin, Meridian

Molly Griffin, Ellisville

Sam Griffith, Seminary

Loren Hardy, Laurel        

Allari Hernandez, Laurel

Isaac Herrington, Laurel

Kaylee Hines, Waynesboro

Hope Houston, Laurel*

Irish Horne, Petal*

Carson Ishee, Laurel

Sydney Klaire Ivy, Raleigh

Anna Grace Jolly, Laurel*

Kaylee Jones, Raleigh

Samantha Jordan, Mobile, AL*

Hannah Latham, Minden, LA

Bri Lee, Moselle

Kiandra Lopez, Laurel

Cody Lowe, Laurel

Taylor McCraw, Laurel

Dwight McClendon, Hattiesburg*

Micah McSwain, Laurel*

Dasia Newell, Laurel

Kylie Noland, Killeen, TX

Danielle Parker, Laurel*

Ta’Nia Patrick, Columbia

Emilianna Pearson, Laurel

Marlee Pierce, Laurel

Morgan Prestage, Morton*

Sommer Ramsey, Laurel

Rodrick Rankin, Mt. Olive

Samah Ratcliffe, Hebron

Kailee Rogers, Laurel

Karlee Rogers, Laurel

Rustin Rounsaville, Ellisville

Karina Ross, Slidell, LA*

Madeline Russell, Columbia*

Maria Santos, Laurel

Haley Kat Shepherd, Petal

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh*

Marcus Sims, Laurel

Nicholas Singleterry, Hattiesburg

Kena Smith, Laurel

Kailand Snow, Laurel

Isaiah Spradley, Sopo

Kyllee Sumrall, Laurel*  

Thomas Temple, Hattiesburg

Addie Thames, Laurel

Kameron Upchurch, Tupelo

Zoe Vanderslice, Stringer*

Aliyah Watts, Columbia

Skylar White, Laurel*

Kaydence Wilde, Charlevoix, MI

Lillian Wilson, Laurel*

Kaylee Wood, Laurel

Ella Young, Laurel

* Member of JC Voices

ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s Office of Student Affairs and Student Government Association along with campus clubs and organizations will host the annual “Treats in the Streets” night of activities on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The trick-or-treat trail event will be held in front of the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza, the place where the event originated 24 years ago. Admission is free unless otherwise noted, and the public is welcome to attend all events. The annual Treats in the Streets celebration is an outdoor event and may be canceled or modified if it rains or if the weather is not conducive for children.

From 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., JC clubs and organizations will have treats and games available beginning at the Student Center Plaza. The trick-or-treat trail continues around the A.B. Howard Gymnasium, and around the Hutcheson/Hubbard Administration Building, ending behind the Terrell Tisdale Library and beside the Humanities building. This event is for children, ages 0 to 12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult to attend.

The costume contests will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the stage located between the C.L. Neill Student Center and the A.B. Howard Gymnasium, for kids ages 0 to 12. At 6 p.m., a costume contest for JC students will begin.

Also, the Jones College all-you-can-eat cafeteria will stay open for dinner until 7:30 p.m. The cost for children ages 4 to 9 years of age is $5.25 and for children ages 10 to adults the cost is $9.15 (tax included). 

For more information about any of these activities please contact Ashliegh Badley at ashliegh.badley@jcjc.edu or call 601-477-2253.

ELLISVILLE – Plans are underway to make Homecoming at Jones College a spectacular event this year with special reunions for the former Homecoming Kings and Queens, the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band Alumni, the 50^th reunion for the JCJC Class of 1973 and the following football teams: 1968-National Title, 55th Anniversary; 1978-State Championship, 45th Anniversary; 1983-State Championship, 40th Anniversary and the 1998-12-0, 25th Anniversary teams. The weekend of activities will incorporate the Homecoming theme, “IAMJC! Let the Good Times Roll!” beginning with performances at the C.L. Neill Student Center, Centennial Plaza with the Jones OnStage show choir on Tuesday, October 24, at 7 p.m., and a concert by the JC Jazz Band on Wednesday, October 25, at 7 p.m. On Thursday, October 26, at @7:30 p.m., the Homecoming Glow Pep Rally will also be held at Centennial Plaza. The “glow pep rally” is sponsored by the Student Government Association and will provide glow-necklaces and glow-sticks for everyone in attendance. This event will be canceled if there is inclement weather.

Homecoming Day, Saturday, October 28, the day will be filled with numerous activities and fun for all ages. Events will begin at 9 a.m. with a brunch for alumni and friends on the front lawn of the Terrell Tisdale Library. Members of the JCJC 1973 class, former Homecoming Kings and Queens and Alumni Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, will need to come by the JC Alumni Association table and check in during the brunch.

At 10 a.m. the Homecoming Parade will wind through the streets of Ellisville and the campus beginning at the Terrell Tisdale Library. The parade features floats made by the student body incorporating the theme, as well as the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, JC cheerleaders, Touch of Gold, and of course, the 2023 Homecoming Queen and her court.

At 11:15 a.m. the public is also invited to join the Jones family for a pep rally following the parade in front of the C.L. Neill Student Center, Centennial Plaza. At 11:30 a.m. the JCJC Alumni Luncheon will be held in the A.B. Howard Gymnasium.  During this luncheon, the JC Honor Alumni, Alise Mathews, Mason Irby, Jermarcus Ross, Lewis S. Bateman, Austin Smith, Ashley Dean, Dr. Leander Bridges, II, Jim Rasberry and Dewey Garner will be recognized. Additionally, the JC Homecoming Court, the former Homecoming Kings and Queens, and the members of the 50^th Year Reunion for the Class of 1973 will be honored.

“Tailgating under the Tents” for all reunion groups will be held near the Tennis Complex on the Bobcat Football Field/Sim Cooley Field. Reservations for the luncheon and tailgating can be made through the Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145 or by emailing, jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu or the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/events/

The Homecoming pre-game festivities will begin at 2 p.m. with the marching band’s pre-game show in the Bobcat Football Stadium/Sim Cooley Field. The game against Mississippi Delta Community College will begin at 2:30 p.m. 

At halftime, the Homecoming Court will be presented with the crowning of the 2023 Homecoming Queen, Aliyah Watts. Also, during halftime, the 2023 Honor Alumni will be recognized. The festivities will end with a performance by the Maroon Typhoon and Touch of Gold. For more information call the Foundation and Alumni Office at 477-4145 or email jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu.                                                                                                         

ELLISVILLE – Homecoming on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville will be a celebration of the theme, “IAMJC! Let the Good Times Roll!” Numerous activities, reunions and gatherings are scheduled before the culmination of Homecoming celebrations on Saturday, October 28, 2023. During halftime of the football game, Queen Aliyah Watts of Foxworth, and the entire JC student-elected, 2023 Homecoming Court will be presented. Escorting the ladies will be a Jones College student selected by the student representatives.

Queen, Aliyah Watts of Foxworth is majoring in Psychology. The Jones College sophomore attended West Marion High School and finished high school at the Mississippi School for the Arts in Brookhaven. She participated in the high school choir and color guard, earning the role of captain her sophomore year. As a member of show choir, Aliyah received the “Best Performer Award” in 2018 and she was the V.P. of SGA and a Diversity Club member. At Jones College, Aliyah was elected V.P. of the Student Government Association and V.P. of Fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is a Worship Team member for the Baptist Student Union and she performs with the Jones OnStage show choir, Collegiate Choir and Concert Choir. Additionally, Watts was a Freshman Homecoming Maid last year and she is a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute and recipient of the Letter “J” Award. After graduation this May, Aliyah plans to continue her educational journey at William Carey University and eventually earn her Ph.D. in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice for a career as a forensic psychologist. Her parents are Tamara Pittman and Chris Watts.

“Thank you, Jones College for allowing me to be your Homecoming Queen! Thank you to my family and friends for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams and for all your encouragement and prayers,” said Watts.

Seth Walker of Laurel will be escorting Watts at Homecoming. At West Jones High School, he was involved in show choir and theater, in addition to various clubs like Beta Club, Key Club and Student Council. Graduating with a Distinguished Academic Honor’s diploma and a 4.0 GPA, Walker also earned Hall of Fame honors. At Jones, Seth is majoring in journalism and is a member of the yearbook. He was also the V.P. of the Freshman Class and performs with the Concert Choir and Jones OnStage. In addition, he is a member of the SGA, BSU, FCA and PTK. His future plans include graduating in December and moving to North Carolina to intern at Elevation Church before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theology at Liberty University. His parents are Scott and Suzie Walker.

Bailie Bishop of Laurel is your Student Body Maid. The West Jones High School graduate is a sports marketing major, with a minor in pre-law. The former Mustang was a member of several organizations including the National Beta Club, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta and Kiwanis Club. At Jones College, she is a member of the Touch of Gold and Gold Rush dance teams, Bobcat Brigade, FBLA, FCA, Philosophy Club and SGA. Bailie is also the Chief Editor of the Bobcat Broadcast and the Bobcat Podcast. Her future plans include graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, intern for the athletics program and eventually work at ESPN, with the end goal of starting her own sports agency, serving as an agent for professional athletes. Bailie’s parents are Josh and Brandi Ezell.

Escorting Bishop will be Kadin Johnston of Waynesboro, who is majoring in pre-physical therapy. The Wayne Academy 2022 Salutatorian was busy in high school playing football and baseball and received the Jaguar Award. He is the PTK President at Jones College in addition to being a member of the Bobcat Brigade student ambassadors, the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, SGA, FCA, Philosophy Club and participates in Intramurals. After earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, Johnston wants to earn his doctorate degree in physical therapy and open his own practice. His parents are Judd and Teresa Johnston.

Jessica Manning of Quitman is your Sophomore Maid. Majoring in music education, Jessica has been a member of the Mississippi All-State Lions Band in high school and was involved in Beta Club. She was recognized as a Mississippi Scholar, National Honors Society member, and John Phillip Sousa Award Winner. Also, Jessica won the talent competition as a Distinguished Young Woman competition. For the last two years, Manning has been a drum major for the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, a member of PTK Honor Society and on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team. Her future plans include earning her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in music education at William Carey University with the goal of becoming a college band director. Manning’s parents are Douglas and Carla Manning.

Ethan Noffke of Seminary will be escorting Manning at Homecoming. The Seminary Attendance Center graduate was a member of the Bulldog Marching Band, serving as Trumpet Captain and earning the John Philip Sousa Award. The Networking/Programming major at Jones is a member of the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band and is the captain of the trumpet section. He hopes to earn a computer engineering/cybersecurity degree at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and work for Raytheon or BlueTalon software company. His parents are Jeremy Noffke and Miriam Sanford.

Sophomore Maid, Halle Myrick is from Petal and is a Health-Related Professions major. In high school, Halle was a member of the Petal High School tennis team and participated in the Beauty and Beau Pageant. The Mississippi High School Activities Association Scholar Athlete graduated with Honors and has been on the President’s List Honor Roll at Jones College. She has also participated in the Jones College Most Beautiful Pageant and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Her future plans include becoming a cardiac and vascular sonographer after graduating from the Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound in Mobile, Alabama. Myrick’s parents are Shawn and Angela Myrick.

Her escort will be Braxton Thompson of Richton. The electro-mechanical technology major played football at Richton High School. Braxton is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Baptist Student Union at Jones College. He has also earned Dean’s List Honor Roll accolades. Thompson’s future plans include continuing his education at Mississippi State University and becoming an electromechanical technician. Braxton’s parents are Joel Thompson and Susan Jenkins.

Freshman Maid, Mary Taylor Jones lives in Collins and plans to major in business and marketing when she transfers to Mississippi State University. At Prentiss Christian High School, she was voted Homecoming Queen and Miss Prentiss Christian. Mary Taylor was also a member of the Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Cheer Captain, and she was a member of the PCHS Hall of Fame. At Jones College, she is a member of the Student Government Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Andy and Deanna Jones are Mary Taylor’s parents.

Escorting Jones will be Haydyn Pickering of Waynesboro. The graduate of Wayne Academy played football and baseball. Graduating with Honors, he was also a member of the Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Haydyn is a member of the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro and is an active member of the Youth Group. After graduating from Jones College, Pickering plans to attend Mississippi State University. His parents are Tal and Tracy Pickering of Collins and Ricky and Amy Pittman of Waynesboro.

Markecia Lloyd is your Freshman Maid from Brandon, and she is majoring in radiology. The Pisgah High School graduate was a member of the Beta Club, the Basketball Team and was a member of the National Honors Society. Markecia earned an ACT Scholarship at Jones College. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in radiology and then become a diagnostic medical sonographer, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Her parents are Allen and Monica Williams.

La’Marcus Miller of McComb will be escorting Lloyd. The business major from McComb played baseball and football while at McComb High School. At Jones College, La’Marcus is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. His future plans include being a successful businessman. His parents are Marcus Miller and Brandi Everett.

The Homecoming Court will also feature the Flower Girl, five-year-old Norah Smith, the daughter of Caleb and Erin Smith of Ellisville. The Crown Bearer is five-year-old Jase Williams, the son of Cory and Jamie Williams of Laurel.