Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE- A collective partnership with the Jones County EDA, Mississippi Power, and PG Technologies in Ellisville will help ensure some Laurel High School Students are successful at work and school. A $25,000 grant from PG Technologies to Jones College will allow the Work Ready Initiative the two-year college began for its career and technical students to be expanded to Laurel High School students.

“We’re sending an instructor to Laurel High School to teach the Smart Start class or soft skills to 18 students. This includes things like being at work every day and show up on time, resume´ building and financial literacy, to how to fill out an application. These are basic things students need to know to be successful in the classroom or the workplace,” said JC Dean of Workforce College, Jennifer Griffith.

Laurel High School principal, Michael Eubanks said this class will help Laurel High School meet its goal of supporting students to be successful because this is amazing support from the community and from Jones College.

“We really need to excel and swing the pendulum of our district and school to where we want to be. This is the momentum we need,” said Eubanks.

The eighteen students who successfully complete the class will earn dual credit, along with the national NCCRC certification and a Smart Start credential. Most importantly, PG Technologies managing director, Derek Hileman, said this training should open more doors for these students.

“The more we do now (to train people), the less we have to do when they are inside our doors working for us.  It’s critical they learn these skills. It is hard to find talent and we’re working with colleges and high schools, so we’ll all benefit in the long run,” said Hileman.

The check presentation was held in conjunction with the EDA’s Education in Industry Day partly because Jones College’s Work Ready Initiative was an idea resulting from the gathering of business and education leaders.

“Training today is very different in the workforce compared to 10 or 20 years ago,” said Sandy Holifield, director of the EDA of Jones County’s Existing Industry, Leadership Development & Workforce Training. “Educators need to know the difference and industry needs to express what they’re looking for, or what skills are important.”

Hileman said he encourages more businesses to support the efforts of the Work Ready Initiative and the Smart Start Class in the future. For more information about the Workforce College at Jones College call the Whitehead Advanced Technology Center at 601-477-4114.

ELLISVILLE – The Mississippi Business Journal has named Jones College as the “Best Two-Year College” in Mississippi.  Ranked first in the state among the two-year colleges, the publication honored college representatives, Executive Vice President of Chief Enrollment Management, Information Technology, and Marketing Officer, Finee’ Ruffin; Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith and Assistant to the President for Government Relations, Jim Walley at a special event held at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson. Being the best is an honor Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith said reflects every employee’s hard work to ensure our students are successful.

“On behalf of our college faculty, staff, students, and board of trustees, we are delighted to be recognized for the quality of our work. Teaching the ideals of a democratic society, while at the same time ensuring our students are ready to enter the workforce or are prepared for university transfer is very challenging.  Receiving this recognition from the Mississippi Business Journal makes our efforts more worthwhile,” said Smith.

Among the recent accomplishments college officials cited as examples of success included the Gold Medal three Jones students earned at the National SkillsUSA competition after taking first place in the engineering and technology category in July, the college newspaper, the Radionian winning first place in the two-year newspaper category at the Spring National College Media Convention in New York City and the Associate Degree Nursing programs’ May 2019 graduates achieving a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. The 2019 MBJ’s Best of Mississippi listed the Top-3 in each of the 25 Best of Mississippi Business reader poll categories in it’s September 12, 2019 edition.

ELLISVILLE – A Jones College freshman from Waynesboro, Matthew Williams won tuition for a year and a laptop for attending Convocation and Hall of Fame events on September 12. The nursing major’s name was randomly drawn to win tuition and compete for a Microsoft Surface laptop while attending the Hall of Fame football game against Hinds Community College.  To win the laptop, donated by Coca-Cola, Williams had to win the football throwing competition against Oak Grove’s Ja’Darius Sims, who was also randomly chosen to win a year of tuition.  The computer engineering major came up short against

Williams in the competition but said he is blessed to be chosen to participate in the event.

“Winning tuition will push me to do well in college. I don’t have any scholarships, so this is really a gift from God,” said Sims.

Williams said his parents are happy to have tuition paid for this year. Upon graduation from Jones, Williams plans to get his bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center or Southern Miss.

“I didn’t know what to do when they called my name,” said Williams. “Financially, winning the tuition will relieve some stress, however, I hadn’t thrown a football in a long time, so I’m a little surprised to also win that competition.”

Jones College and the Student Government Association also awarded Cole Mozingo of Laurel an Apple Watch, who was randomly chosen during the football game.

ELLISVILLE– D’Iberville’s baton twirling sisters, Alyssa and Kayla Webb have been members of the elite, “Dixie Doll Twirlers” team based in Biloxi, for more than 10-years together. As Jones College students, and the feature twirlers for the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, the Webb sisters are performing together for the first time ever, in the “dreamy” half-time performance called, “What Dreams May Come.”

“We never had a routine together, so this is our debut!” said Alyssa Webb. “You don’t see sister twirlers in college performances. It’s very unique and it’s good because we understand each other. We know what we’re both capable of doing and we ‘read’ each other well.”

During their competition days with the Dixie Dolls, the Webb’s traveled throughout the southeastern region collecting trophies from numerous regional, state and local competitions. The team captured 1^st place in Nationals and Kayla earned individual 1^st place honors in a national competition while they were both at D’Iberville High School. Using their award-winning experience, the Webb sisters incorporated a few of their favorite moves into their Jones College performances on the football field this fall.

“We have a move that looks like a double cartwheel while tossing the baton. We’re also exchanging batons, and twirling fire batons and blades,” said Kayla. “During the pre-game and half-time shows, we perform during the Eurythmics song, ‘Sweet Dreams’ and Van Halen’s, ‘Dream On.’”

Alyssa journeyed to the Ellisville campus first and then convinced Kayla to join her at Jones. “Alyssa had fun here and really liked it at Jones so I thought I would join her,” said Kayla. “A lot of the Dixie Dolls have performed at Jones. I don’t expect that will end.”

Several members of the “Dixie Doll Twirlers” have dazzled Jones audiences over the last 15 years, including Carly Carpenter 2017-19, Autumn Dunnaway 2017-18, Sabrina Sagers 2015-17, Megan Crager 2009-10, Ashleigh Richardson Fulton 2008-10, Ashton Rushing 2008-10, Olivia Purvis Hall 2007-09 and Lauren Byrd 2003-04.

For Alyssa, her last performance may be at the last Jones home football game on October 24.  She plans to graduate in May and work on her bachelor’s degree in accounting at USM. Kayla will spend another year as a Jones Bobcat before heading to the University of South Alabama to pursue a degree in physical therapy. The D’Iberville High School graduates said they plan on enjoying the spotlight for as long as they can twirl the baton, or their careers prevent them from performing.

 

ELLISVILLE–Homecoming on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville is set for Saturday, October 5, with the theme, “Bobcat Revolution.”  Earlier this month, JC students elected its 2019 Homecoming Court with the following ladies representing them during Homecoming festivities.

Queen, Jazmin King of Bay Springs is majoring in biology with a pre-med emphasis, with aspirations of becoming an endocrinologist.  The Jones College sophomore is a member of the Bobcat Brigade, a student recruiting organization, Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, the English Honor Society, the Presidential Task Force, the Charles Pickering Honors Institute and the Student Government Association where she serves as Secretary. The Bay Springs High School graduate participated in basketball and track where she was a four-time state qualifier in discus and shot-put. King also cheered for the Bay Springs Bulldogs and earned All-American Cheerleader honors all four years, as well as Cheer Captain her senior year in high school. As President of her class and a 2017 Rural Medical Scholar, King graduated the top of her class with highest honors and she was named Star Student. Her peers voted her to be Miss Bay Springs High School, Most Intellectual and Most Likely to Succeed. After completing her studies at Jones, King plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in English with a minor in Spanish before going to medical school. Mike and Carressia King are her parents.

Escorting King will be W.C. Washington of State Line. The accounting and business administration major is a member of the business organization, Phi Beta Lambda and he participates in intramural sports and he has been a member of the Engineering Club. The Wayne County graduate intends to further his education at the University of Southern Mississippi. Washington’s parents are W.C. and Tammie Washington.

Abby McNeil is your Student Body Maid. The Bay Springs resident is majoring in kinesiology. She is a member of the Student Government Association and the student athletic fan club, “Bleacher Creatures.” She is also an athletic trainer for the football team and the women’s basketball team. At Stringer High School, McNeil graduated in the Top-10 of her class with highest honors and she was a member of the Hall of Fame and a Mississippi Scholar. McNeil’s aspirations include pursuing a career as an athletic trainer after earning her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at USM. Her parents are Chris and Stacey McNeil.

Escorting McNeil is her younger brother, Tate McNeil.  The Stringer High School graduate is a freshman at Jones, majoring in civil engineering. In high school, Tate graduated in the Top-10 of his class with highest honors, as well as being honored as a Mississippi Scholar. At JC, he is a member of the “Bleacher Creatures,” intramural flag football, and he was voted as a Freshman Class Favorite. His future plans include graduating from Jones and earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University. His parents are Chris and Stacey McNeil

 Ashley Allen is your Sophomore Maid. The Puckett resident is majoring in kinesiology. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa honor society. At Puckett High School, Allen was a member of the softball and track teams and she was a member of FCA. She also graduated in the Top-10 of her class. Allen’s aspirations include being a physical therapist after earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology. Her parents are Annette and Billy Allen.

Escorting Allen is Otoniel Duran.  He is originally from La Vega, Dominican Republic but he is currently living in Hattiesburg.  The polymer science and engineering major is a graduate of Presbyterian Christian High School where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He also played basketball for the PCS Bobcats and he was voted, Most Likely to Brighten Your Day and Prom King.  At Jones College, Duran is the Student Government Association President, a member of PTK, the Engineering Club, and the Baptist Student Union. He also plays intramural sports and is on the practice squad for the women’s basketball team. Future plans for Duran include earning a bachelor’s and doctoral degree in polymer science at USM. His parents are Antonio Duran and Rosalba Hernandez.

Sophomore Maid, Hallie Meadows lives in Piave and is studying to be an athletic trainer. While at Greene County High School, she played softball and was a cheerleader, earning Hall of Fame honors and graduating in the Top-10 of her class. She was also voted as Miss Greene County High School. At Jones, Meadows is a member of the Concert Choir, and she is a member of the Student Government Association. After graduating from Jones, Meadows will attend USM to earn her bachelor’s degree in athletic training. Chris and Micah Meadows are Hallie’s parents.

Meadow’s escort is Leakesville resident, Brent Dearman who is an electrical technology major. The Greene County High School graduate was active in SkillsUSA, placing 3rd in the state in welding. Additionally, Dearman took 2nd place in a forestry competition hosted by FFA in high school. The sophomore is already getting experience in his career choice working with Universal Services in Leakesville, on the Greene County Center expansion project. After graduating next May, He plans to begin a career in the oilfield as an electrical technician. Bryan and Kim Dearman are his parents.

Freshman Maid, Caidyn Crowder of Ellisville is majoring in biochemistry.  At South Jones High School, Crowder was involved in the South Jones show choir, “Company,” the Drama Department, Smart Club, and the volleyball team.  She was elected as President of the Senior High Beta Club, South Jones High School’s 2018 Most Beautiful, Student Body Maid and “Most Talented.” The Mississippi Scholar represented Jones County in the 2019 Distinguished Young Women state competition. At Jones College, Crowder is a member of the Concert Choir, Jones OnStage and SGA. Her future plans include attending Mississippi State to earn a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and business and then apply for the physician assistant program. She also hopes to continue singing. Caidyn’s parents are Grant and Anita Shawn Crowder.

Escorting Crowder is Peyton Griffin a music major from Ellisville. The South Jones High School graduate was active in Showchoir, Drama, Beta Club, First Priority and FCA. Griffin was voted as Most Talented and was a Senior Class Favorite. The Mississippi Scholar graduated with Honors and is a member of the Hall of Fame. At Jones, he is a member of the Concert Choir, Jones OnStage and SGA. Griffin’s future plans include earning a degree in music education to be a choir director after pursuing a career performing. Brad and Keri Griffin are his parents.

Dariyel Johnson is your Freshman Maid from Leakesville. She is majoring in marketing and musical theater. The Greene County High School graduate was active in cheer, soccer, volleyball, marching band, Theatre Club, WILDPAT, Hall of Fame member, and Beta Club where she served as the 2018-19 Senior Beta Club State Vice President. Johnson was voted as Miss Greene County High School and she represented her hometown in the Miss Hospitality competition. At Jones, she was elected as Freshman Class President and she is a member of the Bobcat Brigade recruiting organization, SGA, and Concert Choir. At the University of Mississippi, Johnson will be majoring in the integrated marketing program. Her parents are Darryl and Latrina Johnson.

Johnson’s escort is her twin brother, Da’Rell Johnson.   The Greene County High School graduate was on the varsity basketball team, Beta Club and WILDPAT. The 2019 Hall of Fame member plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi after graduating from Jones.  Darryl and Latrina Johnson are his parents.

The Jones College Homecoming Court will also have represented as the flower girl, Greenly Massey Flowers, the daughter of Austin and Tessa Flowers of Ellisville. The five-year-old is in pre-kindergarten at Jones College’s Early Learning Center. Beau Brewer, the 2019 Homecoming Court crown bearer is a first-grader at Pecan Park Elementary School in Ocean Springs.  The six-year-old is the son of Callie and Ron Brewer.  For details about Homecoming events and activities check out the Jones College website: http://www.jcjc.edu or the news page, Jones College celebrates Homecoming 2019