ELLISVILLE– For some of the approximately 150 students earning their High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma at Jones College over the last year, the Commencement Ceremony held in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium at Jones College recently was also celebrated as a lifetime achievement and historical moment. Daniel “Ryan” Hampton, the 40-year-old father of 18-year-old Adrienne “A.J.” Hampton of Mize walked across the stage together with diplomas in hand after numerous unsuccessful attempts, “life’s” challenges and medical issues.
“My dad inspired me to go back to school,” shared A.J. “I wasn’t even going to finish. I was just going to get a job and do what he had done; get a job, work hard and get through life. But I wanted a high school education and the college experience. I wanted to be able to say I did it because everyone told me I couldn’t.”
That external challenge by A.J. is what also pushed her dad to go back to school and get his HSE diploma.
“I got tired of her saying, ‘You didn’t get your diploma so why should I?’” shared Ryan. “I also had a neck and hand injury at work and began to realize I may be confined to a wheelchair and without my education, I may not have a job.”
Moreover, Ryan credits his HSE teacher, Terica Chapman at the Jasper County Center in Bay Springs for inspiring him to keep going and keep moving.
“Everybody at Jones College’s Jasper County Center was fantastic about encouraging us and they just kept me uplifted, kept me going forward, and I never let it get in my head,” Ryan explained. “Being an adult, you’ve lived life, so now you know not to let things get in your head anymore because you know it’s the enemy trying to defeat you, to destroy everything within you and you know, being a child of God, the Lord helped me through this. You can ask Miss Chapman. I prayed at every test, even practice tests.”
Leakesville’s Ian Stowers also proudly earned his HSE diploma after some challenges in high school which forced him to be homeschooled. After passing his HSE, the 18-year-old Stowers pursued the workforce electrical program at the Greene County Center in Leakesville.
“I took the Smart Start program and got paid to come to school along with a certificate to help get a job,” said Stowers. “In August, I’m going into the electrician program and earn my associates degree and become an electrician.”
Earning a diploma has impacted the future of Stowers and the Hampton’s lives, just like seeing Jones County and Youth Judge Wayne Thompson’s parents’ diplomas impacted him and his brother growing up. As the Keynote speaker for the HSE Commencement, Judge Thompson explained that his parents dropped out of high school to get married, and his father went to work on a chicken farm. The elder Thompson realized later, a high school degree would be necessary to go into the ministry and Mrs. Thompson would have to get a job. Years later, when they both earned their degrees, Judge Thompson shared the diplomas hanging on the wall always made him think about his future.
“Seeing those diplomas did things to me that words never could. It inspired me because your diploma is not just a piece of paper. It is a symbol of determination and of hope and endless possibilities.” Thompson emphasized. “Look at it. Let it remind you of what can be achieved in this good life we have. Understand that success is not in the one-size-fits-all concept. It’s not about just titles and salaries, material possessions. True success lies in finding purpose, making a positive impact and living authentically. You must define what success means to you and don’t be afraid to sacrifice for it. Looking at my dad’s diplomas growing up would inspire me and my brother to go further in education. I’d go off to law school, he’d go off to medical school. He’d become a vascular surgeon. I’d practice law. My brother’s and my future changed when two teenagers almost 50 years ago decided that they were going to be different and not settle.”
Also determined to make a difference in her two-year old daughter’s life was Phaylon Gandy of Laurel. The 18-year-old said, “The math test was quite the challenge, but I did it for my daughter and my father. They inspired me and motivated me to earn my diploma.”
Eight students with the highest average score on their HSE test at each of the HSE centers in the Jones College eight-county district were awarded scholarships. Jones County’s Portia Jefcoat of Soso learned she was one of the recipients and the recipient of the only Academic Distinction Scholarship for scoring 25-28 on the ACT.
“A scholarship would fund everything for me. It would be a lot of help in my journey to be a cosmetologist,” said an excited Jefcoat. “Today is a big accomplishment for me. My very first big accomplishment, and it’s going to be a big boost, hopefully for my education in my future.”
Also earning the full-tuition scholarship for two semesters are Covington County’s Marissa Evans of Seminary, Clarke County’s Alareia Smith of Shubuta, Greene County’s Grace Dickerson of Leakesville, Perry County’s Faith Cooley of Richton, Smith County’s Kendaysha Keys of Raleigh, Wayne County’s Angel Ruppel of Waynesboro and Jasper County’s Olivia Conerty of Pachuta, who also earned the Overall High Scorer Scholarship.
“It will make a world of difference to me because I don’t have very much money and my family doesn’t have much money,” said the 16-year-old Conerty who wants to be a lawyer. “We work very hard to get what we have. Right now, getting a scholarship for Jones College to complete my education here would be incredible!”
Ten additional ACT scholarships were announced during the ceremony including Elliot Sholtz of Moselle and Faith Cooley of Richton who each earned an Academic Achievement ACT Scholarship. Rising Excellence ACT Scholarships were awarded to Isabelle Beasley of Ellisville, Kaden Bradley of Ellisville, Memoree Hawk of Laurel, Eli Massey of Moselle, Wyatt Phillips of Bay Springs, Marissa Rogers of Ellisville, and Sarah Jo Rogers of Ellisville.
Director of Integrated Pathways at Jones College, Wendy Evans commended the students for their hard work in not only earning their diplomas but also for earning nearly $75,000 in scholarships. Many of these new HSE grads are still enrolling for college and could earn more scholarships. Even though Kristopher Lee of Hattiesburg didn’t earn a scholarship, the 28-year-old said he is proud he now has his HSE diploma.
“I earned an Occupational Diploma in 2014 but I came back to school because I really wanted my HSE diploma,” explained Lee. “Now that I have this diploma, I can go out and conquer the world as a nurse! I start classes August 19th at Jones College!”
Regardless of the situation that kept these graduates from earning their High School diplomas, Evans is proud of each of them for their accomplishments. With the most HSE graduates celebrating this summer since the Covid-19 Pandemic hit, Evans said the HSE Class of 2023-2024 will always be a little more special to her.
“Each of you has demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience throughout your journey to earning your High School Equivalency diploma. Your commitment to education and personal growth has been truly inspiring, and today we celebrate your accomplishments with great admiration. Behind every successful graduate stands a team of dedicated educators and staff members who have worked tirelessly to support and guide each of you,” said Evans. “Congratulations for doing a great job in reaching this goal!”
The HSE classes are free of charge at Jones College and most tests costs can be covered by grant money. Supportive teachers and counselors at each of the Jones College Centers where HSE classes are taught can help students determine the best pathway for their success for little to no expense. For more information about the Adult Education programs offered at Jones College click on the website: https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/adult-learning/
Jones College HSE 2023-2024 Graduates
Yosalin Makayla Aguilar, Laurel
Christian Jade Alexander, Ovett
Kaya Danyelle Allbritton, Hattiesburg
Katie Leann Barnett, Laurel
Kase Layne Bates, Leakesville
Clay Justin Beard, Laurel
Isabelle Marie Beasley, Ellisville**
Zylan Bernard Bester, Laurel
Nehemiah Joel Isaiah Boone, Waynesboro
Eion Seth Boutwell, Laurel
Kaden Micah Bradley, Ellisville**
Harley Lynette Bridges, Leakesville
Brittany Leann Byrd, Seminary
Casey Benet Carson, Shubuta
Rocky Scott Cauley, Leakesville
Dixie Page Cauley, Leakesville
Dalton Keith Churchwell, Leakesville
Carson Alex Cochran, State Line
Julia Cook, Seminary
Jabari Deshaun Collins, Heidelberg
*Olivia Lorraine Conerty, Pachuta
*Faith Alanna Cooley, Richton-Greene**
Myiesha Lachelle Cooley, Shubuta
Jordyn Paige Cooley, Hattiesburg
Dora L Cordoba, Laurel
Yazlynn Daniela Cruz, Laurel
Alexis Diane Davis, Brandon
Natalee Paige Dial, Ellisville
*Grace Ann Dickerson, Leakesville
*Marissa Cherelle Evans, Seminary
Lindsey Nicole Fontenot, Laurel
Destiny Faye Fuller, Meridian
Phaylon Dija’Nea Gandy, Laurel
Rohan Dawson Ghimire, Laurel
Kameron Breanna Gray, Laurel
Hallie Grace Green, Laurel
Harlie Faye Madison Hall, Laurel
Adrienne Jewel Hampton, Taylorsville
Daniel Ryan Hampton, Mount Olive
Darrien Kevontae Harris, Waynesboro
Memoree Elizabeth Cheyenne Hawk, Laurel**
Khamani Khris Heartfield, McLain
Emma Grace Herring, Beaumont
Maciah Terrell Hickey, Laurel
Camron Kentrell Hodge, Laurel
Amelia Joy Holland, Leakesville
Alivia Elaine Houston, Laurel
*Portia Abigail Jefcoat, Soso
Aden Javier Jenkins, Collins
Travis Wayne Johnson, Ellisville
*Kendaysha Camya Keys, Raleigh
Kathryn Paige King, McCool
Tito Tyrone Lanier, Jr., Laurel
Kristopher Alyson Lee, Hattiesburg
Miya Lashae Lee, Columbus
London Jada Long, Laurel
Noah Alexander Loper, Taylorsville
Phillip M Lopez, Ellisville
Jose Manuel Lopez, Petal
Justice Dakota Magee, Heidelberg
Maria Guadalupe Marquez, Laurel
Robert Michael Martin, Ovett
Eli Chandler Massey, Moselle**
Caleb Bryce McDonald, Ellisville
Lee’Davion Jakeilan McDougle, Waynesboro
Ricky Walton McNair, Collins
Alexis Shianne Mercer, Waynesboro
Ally Danielle Morris, Lucedale
Izabella Paige Muraca, Laurel
Erica Julianne Musgrove, Soso
Keyton Deshawn Nixon, Laurel
Wyatt Andrew Phillips, Bay Springs**
Sadie Rachelle Phillips, Waynesboro
Pacely Alise Reed, Ovett
Chase Gavin Reeves, Laurel
Gracie Leshea Robinson, Richton
Sarah Jo Rogers, Ellisville**
Marrisa Nicole Rogers**
Kelsey Rene Rose
*Angel Tiffany Ruppel, Waynesboro
Laquinta Barbaranna DeAnn Russell, Laurel
Jennifer Lynn Saul, Laurel
Ramsus Emmanuel Sauls, Ovett
Katelyn Grace Schilling, Moselle
Austin Paul Sharpe, Leakesville
Elliot D Sholtz, Moselle**
Amber Lynn Smith, Ellisville
Jeremy Adam Smith, Ellisville
Richard Dalton Smith, Seminary
*Alareia Kenijah Smith, Shubuta
Lemuel Howard Solomon, Heidelberg
Compassion River Spurlin, Laurel
Lakeiya Dedrionna Stokes, Waynesboro
Ian Mackenzie Stowers, Leakesville
Sydney Ariel Stringer, Bay Springs
Destiny Ann Stringer, Ellisville
Carson Wayne Sullivan, Laurel
Braden Caine Talley, Beaumont
Aries E Terrell, Laurel
Adyn Lynn Thomas-Wallace, Hattiesburg
Nathaniel Jordan Tucker, Laurel
Alayna Esperanza Vega, Richton
James Dylan Walker, Waynesboro
Allison Faith Walley, Leakesville
Pacey Kale Watford, Beaumont
James Preston Welch, Laurel
Amiria Lashell Janee West, Waynesboro
Devin Gage Williamson, Ovett
** ACT Scholarship
*County HSE High Scorer Scholarship
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Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Statement of Non-Discrimination and ADA Statement: Jones County Junior College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. The (ADA/ Section 504) ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-2673, and (Title IX) Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127, have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policies. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.