Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE- The Jones County Economic Development Authority in partnership with Jones College’s Workforce College received confirmation from the national organization, ACT Work Ready Communities, that Jones County has met all the requirements to be certified as a Work Ready Community.

“Congratulations to Jones County for becoming an ACT Work Ready Community and joining a growing list of counties dedicated to building a robust workforce,” said ACT Regional Manager of Workforce Initiatives, Tony Garife. “The efforts of the county leadership to achieve WRC certification will provide the community with a tremendous economic development advantage and help it stand out for its workforce development efforts.”

Eighty companies participated in this initiative in Jones County which means they had to agree to either recognize, recommend or require the ACT or NCRC (National Career Readiness Certification) as part of the employment application process. These national standardized certifications through the ACT Work Ready Community program gives counties data and tools to help drive economic growth by identifying skill gaps and quantifying the skill level of the workforce. Utilizing these established indicators helps business and industry quickly determine the success of establishing business and industry in any given area.

“Each county that earns this desired certification is committed to improving an area’s workforce because these guidelines are becoming the industry standard. The ACT Work Ready Certification assists existing and new businesses and industries in developing the future workforce’s capabilities. Jones County looks very appealing now with this certification, “said Ross Tucker, Jones County EDA Executive Director.

This process must be completed within two years however, Jones County met all the goals established by ACT within one year. Tucker attributes this success due to the support from business and industry, and Jones College’s Workforce College.

“One purpose of Jones College Workforce is to assist business and industry with their training needs. This is done through education and developing training programs for pre-employment and continuing education. The ACT Work Ready Community initiative fits nicely within our mission and has been exemplified by the establishment of Jones College’s Work Ready course. This course is required of all Jones College students as it contains vital employability skills and the NCRC. Jones is also expanding the Smart Start Pathway – SSP 1002 course into local high schools. Laurel High School and Enterprise High School are the first two schools to incorporate the class into its course offerings,” said Jennifer Griffith, Dean of Workforce College at Jones College.

According to the ACT Work Ready Community website, the foundation of a community’s certification is based on individuals at the county level across the current, transitioning and emerging workforce earning these credentials and employers recognizing them as a portable, industry-recognized credential that clearly identifies an individual’s WorkKeys® skills in workplace documents, applied math and graphic literacy, which are required skills for 77 percent of jobs based on the ACT JobPro database.

The new designation should have a positive, economic impact soon, according to Tucker. For more information at www.workreadycommunities.org. and Jones County information Jones County or Jones College Workforce College at 601-477-4114.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Fine Arts Department is preparing for an explosion of visual and performing arts in a new event called, “Artrageous.” This blend of visual art with musical performances will be held in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium on Thursday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. free of charge. Every Jones College performing group including the Concert Choir, JC Voices, Jones OnStage, JC Jazz Band, the Theater Department, the Touch of Gold Dance Team, and visual artists will be highlighting their talents in a unique fusion of entertainment. The sensory explosion of art and music is described by Fine Arts Director, Bruce Smith as a layering of the arts, blended into one spectacular night celebrating the many talented faculty and student performers and visual artists.

“You’ll see speed painting to a guitar performance, shadow puppetry while a four-hand, piano piece is performed and there will be Celtic dancing to a flute-choir tune. These are just some of the types of things the audience will enjoy,” said Smith. “We’ll also have student and faculty soloists and an operatic performance.”

Additionally, the “Queen of the Clarinet,” from New Orleans, Doreen Ketchens will perform with the JC Jazz band. JC Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge said he is thrilled to have Ketchens perform with the jazz band.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to perform with a world-class musician. Jones College continues to push the envelope when it comes to providing amazing opportunities for our students. I am proud to be a part of such a spectacular event and to be able to offer it to the community,” said Burge.

The Artrageous event is free of charge and open to the public.  For more information about the Jones College Fine Arts Department or Artrageous, contact the office at 601-477-4203.

Photos by: Jeannie Meyer Photography

 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 29, 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, Orlando di Lasso, Michael Praetorius, Josquin des Prez, Santiago de Murcia, George Frideric Handel, Tylman Susato.

Concert hosts, JC Voices, under the direction of Dr. Susan A. Smith will perform a variety of selections from the Renaissance, including the stately song, Pastyme with Good Companye, the famous German canon, Sing dem Herrn, and Innsbruck, I Now Must Leave Thee. This year, the madrigal singers will highlight French madrigals, motets, and chansons, while not overlooking the ever-popular English madrigal style of Thomas Morley and the historically significant English anthem by William Byrd, Sing Joyfully.

 In addition to the large ensemble, various small vocal groups and solos will be featured throughout the evening.  Dr. Michael Boyd, JC guitar instructor, will accompany JC students, Bonner Welch of Moselle and Shellie Roberts of Ellisville as they sing the beautiful duet Mignonne allons, voir si la rose. Drs. Boyd, Lindsey Keay, and Theresa Sanchez will also accompany JC student and soprano singer, Reagan Dukes of Laurel as she performs Monteverdi’s, Si dolce è’l tormento.

The audience will also hear somewhat rare instruments, like the harpsichord, played by JC piano instructor, Dr. Sanchez, and the lute, played by Dr. Michael Boyd. Additionally, the Clarinet Choir, Flute Duo, Saxophone Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble will perform led by instrumental conductors, Michelle Graham, Dr. Lindsey Keay, Dr. Ben Burge, and Dr. Patrick Richards.

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

2019 Members of the Chamber Choir and Madrigal Singers

Kalyn Bales, Stringer

Erin Biglane, Ellisville

Ka’Lisha Carter, Waynesboro

Chicago Collins, Brookhaven

Brittney Darbonne, Laurel

Faith DeCastro, Guam

Lydia Dees, Ellisville

Hayden Dillistone, Laurel

Reagan Dukes, Laurel

Ty Evans, Laurel

Alyssa Garick, Laurel

Kyra Lampley, Laurel

Stephen Langley, Prentiss

Shara Lee-McSwain, Sumrall

Addison Nelms, Brandon

Stuyuncey Nobles, Laurel

Caleb Pearce, Ellisville

Shellie Roberts, Ellisville

Titan Singer, Long Beach

Tellas Smith, Laurel

Michael Thompson, Laurel

Bonner Welch, Moselle

ELLISVILLE-The first official, “Day of Giving” at Jones College has been set for October 24, as an all-day event on campus to encourage faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to help grow and continue the mission of the Jones College Foundation, Inc.  Foundation and college coordinators believe a “Day of Giving” appropriately secures the Foundation’s mission to continue to thrive and it supports the non-profit as it extends assistance to the college, the faculty and its students.

“The initial feedback we have received from faculty, staff, alumni and friends has been very positive and we expect they will rise to the occasion to give back to Jones. The impact made on this one day will go a long way with us all working together,” said V.P. of Advancement, Charlie Garretson.

The main purpose of this concerted effort has two goals explained Jones College Executive Vice President of CMO, CIO, CEMO, Finee’ Ruffin.

“First, build awareness of how the Jones College Foundation serves our students and our communities and second, to show how easy giving can be for our alumni and friends. Giving at Jones College directly benefits the students through scholarships, hardship assistance and even classroom and lab modifications.”

Alumni and friends are usually the first sources for assistance and that’s why many university foundations utilize similar giving events to support both large and small needs within their community. However, if you didn’t attend Jones College, many discover Jones touches their life in some way. Whether it’s through the Jones students working in hospitals helping with your care during their clinicals and as employees after graduation or the many professionals who become teachers, business owners, pharmacists, musicians, welders, engineers, or inventors, Jones College touches communities throughout the U.S. and the world.

“Jones automotive students are repairing ambulances for medical care in rural Africa through a special partnership. Forestry students are benefitting from our partnership with Sweden’s Haglöf Forestry and the athletes who come to America to play for JC, share their Jones experiences. The ‘Day of Giving’ is an opportunity for anyone to help Jones College continue to offer excellence in education and inspire another generation to share the vision Jones College established in 1911,” said Ruffin.

Donations can be accepted online at www.jcjc.edu/dayofgiving on Thursday, October 24, or by phone at 601-477-4145, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., or by stopping by the Alumni and Foundation Office in Jones Hall on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville. Garretson has lined up competitions between the faculty in every division, and some businesses are offering “specials.” Entertainment is lined up for the Day of Giving which will culminate on campus during the last home football game against East Central, which begins at 7 p.m.

To keep track of the progress and when we reach the initial goal of $15,000, follow us on social media at  Facebook-JCJC Alumni and Foundation, Facebook-Jones College, Jones College-Instagram-Twitter. For more information contact the Jones College Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145.

ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s Office of Student Affairs and Student Government Association along with campus clubs, organizations, and the city of Ellisville will host the annual “Treats in the Streets” night of activities on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The trick-or-treat trail event will be held on the front lawn area of Jones Hall. Admission is free unless otherwise noted, and the public is welcome to attend all events. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

From 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., JC clubs and organizations will have treats and games available in front of Jones Hall. This event is for children ages 0 to 12 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult to attend. Also, the JCJC 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 $4.50, and children ages 10 and adults is $7.25 (tax included). Taco Bell will be open until 9 p.m. & the Bobcat Grill will be open until 8 p.m.; both are located behind the A.B. Howard Gymnasium.  Other food items will be available for purchase from various vendors. 

The costume contests will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the center of the grassy area of Jones Hall for kids ages 0 to 12.  At 6 p.m. a costume contest for JC students will begin.

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.