Jones College costume contest winners

Picture Cutline  costumers 10-21:  The winners of the Costume Contest for JC students are pictured left to right; Jada Austin of Hattiesburg took second place. Jordan Grimes of Leakesville won first place. Aidan Church of Ellisville was the third-place winner.  Honorable Mention winners were Aryn Cox of Laurel; Brandy Patterson of  Ellisville; Braden Cupit of Ellisville and Emilee Heintz of Petal.

ELLISVILLE –Several hundred super-heroes, princesses and ghouls came out to have fun at the annual Jones College Treats in the Streets on the JC campus. Kids played games for treats in the booths set up by JC faculty and students as a way to give back to the community. Some children participated in the costume contests for babies through teens, with the winners of the creatively dressed kids receiving a variety of goodies and sweet prizes from the JC Office of Student Affairs.

College students who dressed the best received Bobcat Bucks for their efforts. Taking first place was Jordan Grimes from Leakesville as “Pebbles Flintstone.”  Jada Austin of Hattiesburg came in second place as “Sushi Roll” and Aidan Church of Ellisville as the “Scary Clown,” took third place.

JC students and winners in the Group category, Grimes, Samantha Dildine as BamBam, and Rashad Bullock and Keasia Andrews of Tylertown as the dinosaurs, were the Flintstones Characters. Also participating as honorable mention winners were Aryn Makayla Cox of Laurel as “Morticia Adams,” Brandy Patterson of Ellisville as “Mercy,” Braden Cupit of Ellisville as an Anime character and Emilee Heintz of Petal as, “Scary Fat Baby.”

Treats in the Streets is an annual, free, community event that is hosted by the Jones College Student Government Association.

Jones College’s Resource and Referral Center open to the public

ELLISVILLE-After nearly two years of waiting because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Resource and Referral Center at Jones College officially opened to serve the community. The ribbon-cutting and Open House celebration allowed daycare providers and community members to see everything the new Center offers for childcare professionals to family members and college students.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Gina Carr, Director of the Resource and Referral Center at Jones College. “We are thrilled to finally be able to share with the community these much-needed resources. Having the Resource and Referral Center on the campus of Jones College brings awareness to the importance of high-quality early childcare and education in our community.”

The mission of the Resource and Referral Center Network is to provide technical assistance, professional development, including a lending library for childcare providers and families, to support a nurturing learning environment in the home and the classroom. Ultimately, the goal is to promote healthy growth and learning for all children.

“So much happens in a young child’s brain early on. It is so critical that we capitalize on those formable years and that is what this new Center is about. In a perfect world, every kid entering kindergarten would be prepared socially and educationally, but sadly that’s not true. So, that is what this center is about, preparing kids both socially and educationally,” said Jones College Executive Vice President, Chief Academic and Financial Officer, Rick Youngblood.

The Center offers free resources, like books, toys, and educational materials including math and math manipulatives, science and STEM kits, language and literacy kits, curriculum enhancement materials, resource books for parenting and curriculum development and dramatic play items. Also, the Ellison Die Cut machine and lamination services are available for early childcare providers, elementary education students, parents, grandparents, and community members. By offering these resources and services free of charge, it allows providers the opportunity to invest back into their programs. Partnering with families and the community creates stronger families and a stronger community. The Resource and Referral Center also offers technical assistance for directors and classroom teachers and hosts training workshops for families and childcare providers.

“We work in conjunction with a different college throughout the state of Mississippi and come together monthly for training and professional development. We are one large network of resource and referral centers that functions together,” said Carr.

The materials provided in the Center are developmentally appropriate and are available to residents in Clarke, Covington, Greene, Jasper, Jones, Smith and Wayne Counties. Additionally, the new Center offers students in Jones College’s Early Childhood Education Technology program a wealth of resources to enhance not only their educational journey but also their student teaching experience, free of charge.

In addition, the ‘R & R’ Center provides a one-stop-shop for families and childcare providers, which includes assisting families to find and choose childcare settings that meet their children’s needs. Sensory sensitive toys and resources which parents can try out for two weeks to ensure their child benefits from that toy or resource are also available.

“We do believe that what we’re doing here is very special. Everything matters. What we are doing here is focused on education and our community,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith.

Resource and Referral Center Networks are part of a federal law, required in all 50 states and are funded with federal dollars through the Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood Care and Development. Jones College’s Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. except when Jones College is closed for holidays. For more information about the JC Resource and Referral Center, call 601-477-4139 or email at, eca@jcjc.edu

Jones College presents, “Madrigals & More” at Laurel’s First-Trinity Presbyterian Church

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s Fine Arts Department invites the public to enjoy an evening of Renaissance music with the JC music department at its annual “Madrigals and More” concert, free of charge. The various small ensembles of JC students and faculty will be performing at First-Trinity Presbyterian Church in Laurel, on Tuesday, October 26, at 7 p.m. This special event spotlights a diverse group of performers, from student ensembles and solos to faculty solos, and faculty-student collaborations, featuring music from composers such as Claudio Monteverdi, Francesco Landini and Johann Sebastian Bach, to John Dowland, Thomas Morley, Domenico Cimarosa, and Georg Philipp Telemann, to name a few.

Mackenzie Lacy and Chicago Collins

Concert hosts, JC Voices, under the direction of Dr. Susan A. Smith will perform a variety of selections from the Renaissance period. Additionally, various small vocal groups and solos will be featured throughout the evening including a performance by Assistant Director of Bands and percussion instructor, Dr. Josh Frans. He will add a new dimension to the evening with his performance of the fourth movement of J.S. Bach’s, Sonata No. 1 in G minor for marimba.

Dr. Michael Boyd, JC guitar instructor, will accompany JC students, Chicago Collins of Brookhaven and MacKenzie Lacy of Pass Christian as they sing the beautiful duet, Pur ti miro from Monteverdi’s LIncoronazione di Poppea.

Emily Valentine and Hanna Grace Wood

Also accompanying JC Voices on two instrumental and vocal selections will be Assistant Band Director and flute instructor Dr. Lindsey Keay, and piano instructor, Dr. Theresa Sanchez, and Drs. Boyd and Frans. JC students, Emily Valentine of Taylorsville and Hanna Grace Wood of Laurel will perform the stunning Antonio Caldara duet, Benedictus Deus, accompanied by Dr. Sanchez on organ. Darcy Beech of Ellisville, Savannah Greene of Sumrall, and Jalen Poindexter of Jackson will sing the very complex and intriguing trio, Whither Away So Fast, by Thomas Morley.

Darcy Beech, Jalen Pointdexter, and Savannah Greene

The trumpet ensemble, conducted by JC’s new, brass and music instructor, Caleb Owenby, will play a stately fanfare on the newly purchased, “Herald Trumpets.” The audience will also hear performances by Dr. Sanchez and Dr. Boyd, on somewhat rare instruments like the harpsichord and the lute. Additionally, the Flute Choir, Saxophone Ensemble and Brass Ensemble will perform a variety of early music selections, led by instrumental conductors and the Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge, Dr. Keay, and Owenby.

Faculty members Drs. Keay, Sanchez, and Boyd will each play solo selections, continuing a long tradition of collaborative performances hosted by JC Voices and Dr. Susan A. Smith. The concert will be narrated by JC voice instructor, Gregory Wascoe.

For more information about “Madrigals and More,” or to find out how to support JC Voices call 601-477-4203.

2021 Members of the Chamber Choir and Madrigal Singers

Conductor, Dr. Susan A. Smith

Accompanist, Dr. Theresa Sanchez

Darcy Beech, Ellisville

Chicago Collins, Brookhaven

Savannah Greene, Sumrall

Madison Lanier, Laurel

Kambri Pippin, Laurel

Jalen Poindexter, Jackson

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian

Anna Leigh Ragsdale, Magee

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh

Jacob Strickland, Ovett

Josiah Raine, Picayune

Emily Valentine, Taylorsville

Hanna Grace Wood, Laurel

 

“Treats in the Streets” at JC on the Plaza on Tuesday, October 26

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 26, 2021, 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  22 years ago. Admission is free unless otherwise noted, and the public is welcome to attend all events. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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, and all children must be accompanied by an adult to attend.

The costume contests will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the stage area beside the Visual Arts building and the Library Lawn, for kids ages 0 to 12. At 6 p.m. a costume contest for JC students will begin. D.J. Dace will be set up on the stage before and after the costume contests.

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 $4.75 and for children ages 10 to adults the cost is $8.25 (tax included).

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. For more information, contact Dr. Tessa Flowers at 601-477-4845 or email: tessa.flowers.jcjc.edu.

Jones College Concert Choir performs, “News Season, New Songs”

ELLISVILLE-Jones College’s Concert Choir will begin the fall performance season with the first concert on Sunday, October 17, at 6 p.m. at West Ellisville Baptist Church. The public is invited to attend this free event which is also the first public performance with Dr. Imgyu Kang as the new Director of Choral Activities. Jones College music and piano instructor, Dr. Victoria Johnson will accompany the group on piano.

The 30-year veteran vocalist, conductor and instructor earned his Doctoral Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Alabama. He earned his master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Georgia State University, and his bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Seoul. Dr. Kang previously served as the Director of Choral Activities at Oral Roberts University and Western Nebraska Community College. Dr. Kang also taught Advanced Conducting at the University of Alabama from 2009-2012 and was the assistant conductor of the University of Alabama University Singers. His love of music and talent won him the Korean American Scholars Award in 2003 and 2010 and the Korean American Embassy Award in 2010.

Dr. Kang opens the fall concert choir season with the 71-member Jones College Concert Choir’s, “New Season, New Songs” themed concert. The group will perform a variety of music including, “Come to the Water” arranged by Lynda Hasseler with soloist, Darcy Beech of Ellisville. Bonner Welch of Moselle will be the featured soloist for “Prayer of St. Francis” by Allen Pote. The song, “Order My Steps (In Your Word)” arranged by Jack Schrader will feature soloists, Lazarius Shelby of Laurel and Jaylon Sims of Laurel. Other musical selections include “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood and “William Tell Overture,” arranged by Julie Eschliman.

The next JC Concert Choir performance will be Sunday, November 7, at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Laurel. The final concert of the semester will be a Christmas Concert with the JC Fine Arts Department on Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. For more information contact the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203 or email joneschoir@jcjc.edu

JC Concert Choir

Soprano

Natalie Dewitt, Laurel *

Bayleigh Hill, Laurel

Charity Miller, Brooklyn

Bralynn Newell, Newton

Anna Pickering, Laurel

Abigail Thrash, Laurel

Madison Windham, Mize

Ashley Allee, Oak Grove

Victoria Ball, Laurel

Sabrina Turner, Vinegar Bend, AL

Rachel Carlino, Waynesboro

Mackenzie Golemon, Moselle

Gracee Green, Laurel

Amberlyn Holifield, Leakesville

Destiny Lewis, Laurel

Abby Nix, Ellisville

Laiklynn Roberts, Waynesboro

Darcy Beech, Ellisville

Savannah Greene, Sumrall

Abigail Smith, Richton

Trinity Williams, Brooklyn

Kamaya Hutton, Hattiesburg

Alto

Sarah Ables, Laurel **

Virginia Fortenberry, Lawrence County

Lily Hendrix, Sumrall

Samantha Bishop, Florence

Hannah Manning, Quitman

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian

Kathryn Hyatt, Laurel

Hannah Johnson, Laurel

Madison Lanier, Laurel

Bailey Rowell, Wayne

Molly Waldrop, Laurel

Natalie Walker, Laurel

Hanna Wood, Laurel

Annaleigh Ragsdale, Magee

Jennalyn Purvis, Petal

Payton Voge, Laurel *

Morgan White, Laurel

Jaelynn Peak, Foxworth

La’Lexia Murrell, Laurel

Kristen Jordan, Laurel

Tenor

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh

Michael Decou, Chatham, LA

Petara Jo’i Jones, Hattiesburg **

Jalen Poindexter, Jackson *

Josiah Raine, Picayune

Elijah Gray, Heidelberg

Jacob Strickland, Ellisville

Lazarius Shelby, Laurel

Bonner Welch, Moselle

Tellas Smith, Laurel

Wesley Carmical, Ellisville

Bass

Judah Capers, Laurel

Vincent Brown, Moss Point

David Ishee, Laurel

Alejandro Jarillo, Laurel

Donovan Williams, Laurel

Cameron Beech, Laurel

Cameron Glenn, Ellisville

Colby Marsh, Petal

Samuel Rodgers, Petal

Jarrett Darden, Seminary

Xavier Porter, Laurel

Marcus Sims, Laurel

Isaiah Spradley, Laurel

Damarie Windham, Laurel

Rayshawn Gamblin, Waynesboro

Jonah Holland, Ellisville*

Conner Smith, Ellisville

Dylan Waters, Laurel

*Section Leader

**Director’s Assistant