Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE – She’s a “High Stepping” Golden Girl from the land of the Laurel Tornadoes and the Jones College Bobcats. While many 30-year-olds tend to settle down and raise their children, Chiquillia Walker-McMellon with three children, hasn’t stopped dancing yet! She is the new Dance Coordinator for the “Golden Goddesses,” the dance team for the Arena Football League’s newest team based in Philadelphia Mississippi, the Magnolia State Spartans. Last year, Chiquillia danced for the Mississippi Raiders’ Dance Team, the Silver Belles and served as Dance Coordinator for that team, too.

“Initially after the pandemic, I was feeling stuck in my job as a teacher and losing my artistry. I literally saw the sign up on Facebook and decided this might be fun to try to see if I still had that performance spark in me,” said Chiquillia.

After submitting a dance video audition, she landed an interview. She not only made the team, but they also offered her the Dance Coordinator position for the Silver Belles.

“When I got in the room and answered questions, they loved my personality and energy and offered me the Dance Coordinator position. As Dance Coordinator, I handled all the affairs for the dance team, from uniforms to choreography, publicity appearances, interviews and pretty much all the behind the scenes work for the team. I also danced with the team to continue living out my dream of continuing to perform and enjoy the art of dance,” said Chiquillia.

The AFL season begins in April and runs through July. Most of the games are played on Saturdays and the dance team often travels with the team.  However, after one year as dance coordinator for the Silver Belles, Walker-McMellon thought she was done dancing professionally.

“I thought I was going to dance with the Silver Belles for a year and just check it off my bucket list but after I gave it up and focused on life changes, I was approached by the Spartans. They offered me another shot at the Arena Football scene again. The first-year dancing again brought back a lot of inspiration in my life and reminded me that I am very capable of doing anything I put my mind to. It is very exciting and I’m able to expand choreography and artistic expression to an older age group versus my day-to-day school aged children,” said Walker-McMellon.

Some of the 30-year old’s spirit and athleticism may be partially inherited. Her mother, Sules Walker graduated from JCJC in 1993 and was a star basketball player for the Lady Bobcats.

“My mom is a 2-time MVP, 2-time All-State, 2-time All-Region and JUCO All-Star,” said Walker-McMellon.

In fact, Sules had the rare opportunity to coach her two younger daughters’ basketball at Laurel High School before they came to Jones. Chikaylla Walker (JCJC 2015) and Nique Cherry (JCJC 2018) were just as tough and successful as their mother. Unfortunately, Chikaylla’s ACL injury ended her basketball career while in high school.

“Nique followed in my mom’s footsteps. At JCJC, Nique’s stats include 41 Double Doubles, she was 3rd in the nation in rebounding, and she was a 5-time MAC Player of the Week,” said Chiquillia.

Even though Chiquillia didn’t play basketball, she was her sister’s biggest cheerleader at all the basketball games. She also followed in her mother’s footsteps by working in education. After graduating from Laurel High School in 2008, Walker-McMellon joined the 2008-2010 Jones College Touch of Gold and Gold Rush dance teams. She earned her bachelor’s degree in dance education and psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2014 and has been teaching some form of dance fitness ever since.

“I love dance because it is the only way of communication that makes perfect sense to me. It allows me to express myself in a positive outlet no matter the emotion. I enjoy teaching others to use movement to create a safe haven for growth and confidence. My motto is to be bold, be confident, and be you. Create your own movement,” said Walker-McMellon.

For the last seven years, Walker-McMellon has been working for the Laurel School District in a couple of different roles. At Oak Park Elementary School in Laurel, Chiquillia is the Arts Infusion teacher. She has also been the dance sponsor and choreographer at Laurel High School for the last five years. She and her husband, Brandon McMellon are newlyweds with three children, 8-year-old Ari Johnikin, 4-year-old Eli Johnikin and 4-year-old Italie McMellon.

ELLISVILLE – Five Jones College sophomore art students earned recognition from the Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association’s annual art competition and show. Carly McInnis from Mize earned first place honors in the 3D category and an Honorable Mention for her drawing entry, “Untitled.” The sophomore graphic design major said this was the first time she entered an art show.

“This is the first time I’ve ever entered anything in an art show, this is the first show! I was very shocked (to learn I won in the 3D category) because there were so many other pieces that were good. It was for the experience, even if I didn’t win anything,” said McInnis.

Her unnamed 3D art figure, her mother calls, “Squidward” was created using sand, cardboard, and mod podge. While time consuming, McInnis says it was fun creating her 3D art project.

“I have really come to love abstract art, 3D art. The project was to cover it in something that didn’t make it look like the cardboard used to create the figure. I thought sand would be cool because it would look rocky, and people would wonder how did that stay up? Mark Brown, my teacher told me to finish it and put it in the show and see what happens. I finished the weekend before entries were due.”

McInnis’s “big” goal is to work for Disney animation after graduating in May from Jones and finishing her degree at USM.

Other winners from Jones College include Bryanna Davidson of Laurel’s “Teeth” drawing which earned 3^rd place. Honorable Mention accolades were bestowed to Laurel’s Aryn Cox, for her drawing, “The Backyard,” and Hattiesburg’s Rebekah Lawless’ drawing, “Untitled 2”.   In the 2D art category, Heidelberg’s Quinton Chapman received an Honorable Mention for his work, “Untitled.”

Best of Show went to Southwest Mississippi Community College sophomore, Darryn Coney for his pencil drawing, “Bessie.” More than 170 pieces of art were submitted for MCCAIA’s competition and art show which was on display in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the Jones College campus in Ellisville in March.

MCCAIA Awards by Category

Best in Show

Darryn Coney, Bessie, SMCC

Painting/Mixed Media:

1st: Mandy Zhang, Brick #2, Holmes Ridgeland

2nd: Theresa Ho, Nightscape, Holmes Ridgeland

3rd: Mia Cossin, Cooper Dyes His Hair, ICC

HM: Theresa Ho, Bricked, Holmes Ridgeland

Why Hewitt, Cupcake, NWCC

Drawing:

1st: Kaitlin Stegall, Plum Tea, ICC

2nd: Jamiah Smith, Decoy, Hinds/Raymond

3rd: Bryanna Davidson, Teeth, Jones

HM: Carly McInnis, Untitled, Jones

Aryn Cox, The Backyard, Jones

Peyton Barr, Self-Portrait, NWCC

Colton Miller, Converse Desktop, Co-Lin

Rebekah Lawless, Untitled 2, Jones

Megan Jeter, Self-Portrait, NWCC

Ella Bowen, Paper Bag, EMCC Golden Triangle

Kaitlin Stegall, Caleb’s Sunset, ICC

2D Design:

1st: Peyton Barr, Gas Masks/Emphasis, NWCC

2nd: Peyton Barr, Balance, NWCC

3rd: Olivia Reed, Self-Portrait, MGCCC

HM: Megan Jeter, Untitled, NWCC

Mia Coggin, Eye, Eye, Captive, ICC

Colton Miller, Local/Expressive Color, Co-Lin

Erin Gullet, Globes on Table, Hinds

Catherine Milford, Void, Holmes

Quinton Chapman, Untitled, Jones

Inya Kirkland, Excitement, Hinds/Raymond

3D Design:

1st: Carly McInnis, Untitled, Jones

2nd: Peyton Barr, Surveillance System, NWCC

3rd: Alissa Ladner, Linear Design Project, Co-Lin

HM: Elliana Parker, Patterned Gogh, ICC

Hailey Hardy, Bumpy Ride, East Central CC

Digital/Computer Art:

1st: Brian Lummus, November Prince, Meridian

2nd: Colton Miller, The Great Daltoni, Co-Lin

3rd: Viskiyya Muhammad, Viskiyya, Meridian

HM: Gabby Ladd, Social Medusa, Co-Lin

Photography:

1st: Nicolas Boerema, Spake Motion, Hinds

2nd: Anwar Alhanshaly, Peace and Quiet, Hinds

3rd: Nicolas Boerema, Revelry, Hinds

HM: Nicolas Boerema, Heaven Wave, Hinds

Anwar Alhanshaly, Antique Boutique, Hinds

Printmaking:

1st: Colton Miller, Oscar, Co-Lin

2nd: Honor Brown, Grammy, EMCC Golden Triangle

3rd: Ella Bowen, Honey, EMCC Golden Triangle

HM: Sarah Banes, Butterflies, EMCC Golden Triangle

Ceramics:

1st: Gabby Ladd, Chaos and Serenity, Co-Lin

2nd: Morgan Rogillio, Crystal Turquoise Bowl, Hinds/Raymond

3rd: Katherine Witsberger, Like Blades of Grass Returning, Hinds

HM: Drew Winter, Brainstorm, Hinds

Photo by Kelly Atwood: Pictured, left to right, back row, are Jones College’s Newspaper staff writers and editors with their awards from the Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest: Shannon Barbin of Hattiesburg, Mackenzie Gunter of Hattiesburg, Megan Matthews of Richton, Erin Fairchild of Seminary, Keenon Simmons of Laurel, Opinions editor Jennifer Shirley of Waynesboro, Photography editor Montanah Middleton of Mize, Copy editor Olivia Norwood of Laurel; front row, News editor Bryce Dupree of Raleigh, Sports  editor Presley White of Quitman, photographer Bralynn Newell of Newton, and Features editor Mikayla Rainey of Ellisville. Not pictured is Kyle Manseill of Waynesboro.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College competed in the Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest for colleges and brought home the General Excellence award in the community college category.

Jones students received 11 awards, with Southwest Community College earning three and Holmes Community College received two awards. For most of the categories, these three participating community colleges competed against universities, including the University of Mississippi, Mississippi College, Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.

The Jones newspaper, the Radionian, won first, second and third place in the news category. Tori Ellis was the second and third place winner for her stories on COVID-19. The Radionian also swept the Features category. Mikayla Rainey received first place, Dariyel Johnson of Leakesville received second place, and Olivia Norwood received third place. In the Feature Photo category, Bralynn Newell won first place and Montanah Middleton won second place.

In the General Interest Column, which included both two and four-year colleges, Mikayla Rainey received third place for her column on mental health. In the Website category, which included both two and four-year colleges, the Jones website bobcatpress.com received third place. Under the Use of Social Media category, which included both two and four-year colleges, Bryce Dupree and Presley White received first place. In all three of these categories, the others who placed were all from universities.

The General Excellence award has both a university and two-year college winner. Mississippi State University joined Jones College in the win.

“I’m happy to see my students are able to successfully compete on the university level,” said newspaper advisor Kelly Atwood. “Newspaper staffs are getting smaller at colleges nationwide, but my students are always in demand. With more people accepting social media, partisan websites and newstainment TV as official news sources, it’s getting harder to find objective journalism, but it is so important for our nation. Today’s guest speakers were perfect examples of why society still needs professional journalists. Regardless of the medium, professional, objective, responsible journalists will always be needed to preserve democracy and place the public good above everything else.”

Before the contest, the 24^th annual O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit was held with speakers Geoff Pender of Mississippi Today, Emily Wagster Pettus from the Associated Press, cartoonist Ricky Nobile and keynote speaker Jerry Mitchell from the Mississippi Center for Investigative reporting.

Atwood is currently taking applications for the Fall 2022 staff. Interested students should email her at Kelly.atwood@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE – Live, theatrical performances of the popular, Disney movie, “High School Musical,” presented by Jones College’s theater department, are expected to attract large crowds as Covid-19 regulations are easing. Musical performances will be on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years of age. Jones College faculty, staff and students are admitted free of charge with their Jones College ID. Tickets will be available for purchase online. Check the Jones College Arts, Music, and Performance Facebook page for details. Additionally, information regarding current Covid-19 Health Department and CDC guidelines and mask requirements can be found on Jones College and the JC Arts, Music, and Performance department’s social media in April.

Following a smaller cast show, “Godspell” in 2021, and the cancelation of 2020’s musical, “Momma Mia,” because of the Covid-19 pandemic, JC musical theater director/producer, Dr. Jennifer Bruton said she wanted to bring as many students as possible on board for a popular show that would be enjoyed by both the performers and audience.

“This generation of students grew up with the ‘High School Musical’ franchise which includes three blockbuster movies and several spin off series,” said Bruton.  “The original, ‘High School Musical’ movie, which the musical is based upon, was in theaters in 2006, and vaulted Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale to stardom.”

One of the lead characters, Troy is played by Conner Smith of Ellisville. He is portrayed as one of East High’s most popular students and a star basketball player. The new girl in town, Gabriella is played by Natalie DeWitt of Laurel. This shy, smart girl is also a great singer and upstages Sharpay, played by Anna Leigh Ragsdale of Mize. Everyone soon learns Troy has a hidden talent that also threatens Sharpay and her brother Ryan’s (played by Wesley Nelson Carmical of Ellisville) popularity and starring roles in the school’s musical. Troy isn’t exactly ready to shine on the stage but he likes performing with Gabriella as their relationship blossoms.

Musical hits from the original soundtrack include, “Breaking Free,” which landed as #4 on the pop charts. Other songs like, “Wildcat Cheer,” “We’re All in This Together” and “Get’cha Head in the Game,” will also likely have the audience singing along with the cast.

“I knew we were going to have a great turn out for auditions when we started playing, ‘We’re All in This Together’ and the students broke out into the dance moves from the movie!” said Bruton.

The Jones Colleges musical theater production of “High School Musical” features 30 students and a live band. Additionally, Musical Theater incorporates the talents of various Jones College programs, including the commercial and residential maintenance program, and the band and cheerleaders to help make this production come to life.

Familiar to the JC theater stage, is sophomore mechanical engineering major, Conner Smith. As Troy, played by Zac Efron in the Disney movie, the veteran singer and theatrical performer is familiar with playing the lead role in theatrical productions. In fact, Smith has a lot of experience being cast in the lead roles as Jack Kelly in “Newsies,” Kerchak in “Tarzan,” and Doodie in “Grease” during his high school acting career at South Jones. Most recently, last spring, Smith played the double role of John the Baptist and Judas in “Godspell” at Jones College. He said he is looking forward to being the star basketball player in this year’s musical.

“I’ve always loved the Disney movies, ‘High School Musical’ so I thought I would enjoy being in this production,” said Smith. “It’s fun playing a character that’s not that different from who I am.”

His female co-star, Gabriella played by Natalie DeWitt of Laurel, is a freshman, pursuing a degree in speech pathology. She is also no stranger to the theater stage.

“I love being able to bring Gabriella to life and play a character that I haven’t performed before. I feel that we can all see a bit of ourselves in Gabriella, however, as an extrovert, getting the opportunity to play a character like her has been different and exciting,” said DeWitt. “I have had a love for performing and have been involved in many plays throughout my life. It is truly so special to work with such a talented cast like this!”

Feeling insecure about the new girl at East High is the fashionable and feisty, Sharpay. She is portrayed by music education vocalist, AnnaLeigh Ragsdale of Mize.

“‘High School Musical’ has been one of my favorite movies since I was little with Sharpay being my favorite fashionable character. Being able to play her character is a dream come true!” said Ragsdale. “Sharpay’s bitter attitude has been a fun way to step out of my comfort zone during rehearsal.”

Coming to Gabriella’s rescue is her best friend in the movie, Taylor McKessie, played by Wayne County’s Mya McLain. The sophomore pre-law major has no problem playing the smart girl with real-life roles as the President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and being selected for the JC Hall of Fame and Letter “J” academic honors.

“I love Taylor McKessie! She’s too smart for her own good sometimes and she has to show her edginess and strong spirit in subtle ways that don’t put her in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. She’s blunt, hard working and knows what she wants. I get compared to her a lot actually!” said McLain.

As everyone seems to demand Troy and Gabriella’s time, they find little time for each other which works perfectly for Sharpay and Ryan, who devise a plan to disrupt the new couple’s opportunity to shine on the stage.

To learn how the drama at East High unfolds, buy your tickets in advance, online by checking the Jones College Arts, Music and Performance website and social media pages. For more information about the Jones College Arts, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.

Cast, Crew and Ensemble

Sarah Adams, Ellisville – Ensemble

Ni’Riyah Bell, Laurel – Ensemble

Wesley Nelson Carmical, Ellisville – Ryan

Ta’Nyia Cooley, Shubuta – Ensemble

Natalie DeWitt, Laurel – Gabriella

Reagan Gass, Waynesboro – Kelsi

Cameron Glenn, Laurel – Chad

Mackenzie Golemon Moselle – Ensemble

Jordan Grimes, Leakesville – Ensemble

Dasani Hill, State Line – Susan/Ensemble

Christopher Holloway, State Line – Crew

Kamaya Hutton, Laurel – Crew

Kathryn Hyatt, Laurel – Ensemble

Beyonce Kenny, Rolling Fork – Cathy/Ensemble

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian – Martha

Eboni McDonald, Taylorsville – Ensemble

Mya McLain, Waynesboro – Taylor

Mya McLaurin, Bay Springs – Ensemble

Alexis Millwood, Brandon – Ensemble

Briannesha Mingo, Sandy Hook – Costume/Crew

Lee Mixon, Stonewall -James/Ensemble

Brandon Murray, Laurel – Ensemble

Bralynn Newell, Newton – Mrs. Darbus

Abby Nix, Ellisville – Ensemble

Eileen Ortega, Collins – Cyndra/Ensemble

AnnaLeigh Ragsdale, Mize – Sharpay

Phoenix Riley, Petal – Crew

Ethan Robertson, Columbia – Ensemble

Dreamanda Ross, Monticello – Ensemble

John Scott, Hattiesburg – Ensemble

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh – Zeke

Conner Smith, Ellisville – Troy

Matthew Taylor, Richland -Ripper

Payton Voge, Laurel – Stage Manager

Dalton Whitehead, Columbia – Alan/Ensemble

Donovan Williams, Laurel – Jack Scott

ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery in Ellisville is featuring the artwork from community college students statewide who have submitted artwork in the annual, Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association’s (MCCAIA) Student Art Competition and Art Show. More than 170 pieces of artwork is featured from students competing in eight categories of artwork from painting and mixed media to drawing, 2D Design, 3D Design, Digital/Computer Art, Photography, Printmaking and Ceramics. All entries will be on display throughout March, with the winners presented with ribbons and cash awards at the shows’ awards presentation and reception, on April 1, at 9:30 a.m. in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery.

“The quality of the work in the show is an indicator of the excellent art instruction students can receive at the community college level,” said Jones College art instructor and the MCCAIA President, Melanie Eubanks.

The art gallery is filled with the submitted work from full time students from Co-Lin Community College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Gulf Coast Community College, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College, Itawamba Community College, Jones College, Meridian Community College, Northwest Community College, and Southwest Community College.

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 through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The gallery is closed during the holidays. If you want to know more about the Jones College Art Department, go to the JC Art Department’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.