Author: Teresa McCreery

ELLISVILLE – Perennial top contenders have a couple of new teams to challenge them in Jones College’s Bobcat Math League competition this fall. As the competition begins its 8^th season, Raymond and Petal High Schools have joined the STEM-based contest initiated by the Jones College Math Department.  BML Commissioner, Dr. Jessica Bunch said the new teams will add another level of excitement as they challenge themselves and their competitors for five-weeks of competition.

“We’re looking forward to a great season of competition with returning teams chomping at the bit and new teams vying for a stake in the standings as they gain their footing in the competition. We are thrilled with how high school students are furthering their STEM knowledge and how eager and willing they are to help each other advance their knowledge by practicing and taking part in the Bobcat Math League,” said Bunch.

The high schools have been divided into three divisions, Science, Technology and Engineering. In the first week of competition, Petal High School wasted no time in establishing a dominant presence.  The Panthers trounced on its first competitor, the Raleigh Lions in a brutal “cat fight” within the Science Division, as Petal handily won, 71 to 26, over Raleigh. The Panthers lead its division while the Lions lick their wounds in last place in the Science Division.  Sacred Heart nearly lost to the other newcomers, the Raymond High School Rangers in a close battle. The Crusaders overcame the Rangers, 48 to 42 to take second place in the division with Raymond in fourth place.  Sacred Heart team member, Abby Farris said she’s excited to be facing new teams this season.

“The addition of new teams has already proved to be more challenging, but it is a challenge we are eager to face.  Despite having lost a few seniors, we have a strong team this year with eight returning members and seven promising new members, and an experienced, new coach. I have no doubt we will continue to perform as strongly as ever,” said Farris.

Familiar foes in the Bobcat Math League, West Jones and South Jones began the season in a cross-county rivalry. The Mustangs of West Jones managed to keep the South Jones Braves at bay to land in third place in the division with a, 37 to 28, win over the Braves, who are in fifth place in the division.

Defending 2018 BML Champions, the Oak Grove Warriors managed to take the lead in the Engineering Division by destroying the Columbia Academy Cougars, 80 to 14. The win puts Oak Grove in first place in their division and Columbia Academy ends up in third place. The Warriors proved their team would not be easily defeated this year as Oak Grove Math Coach, Whitney Necessary explained they have a mix of experience and new faces this year.

“We are a young team with a lot of new faces.  We only have two returning team members with any significant playing experience. However, we have a few seniors that I expect to lead the team and I also think we’ll have some younger members step up as key players.  We are grateful to Jones College for organizing and hosting this competition each year!”

Perhaps surprising themselves, the runner-up 2018 BML Champions, the Presbyterian Bobcats annihilated the Perry Central Bulldogs in a merciless matchup. The Bobcats easily outscored the Bulldogs, 68 to 2, placing PCS in second place in the Engineering Division.

In the Technology Division, the Quitman Panthers played a close match with the Wayne County War Eagles who lost by one point.  Quitman won the match, 48 to 47, to lead the division with Wayne County taking third place in the division. The Northeast Jones Tigers also proved they are in the hunt for a return to play-off competition as they defeated the Wayne Academy Jaguars, 44 to 25.

Overall in the individual competition, Oak Grove’s William Mitchell and Presbyterian Christian’s Grayson Nocera tied for first place as the BML’s Most Outstanding Players with a 70 percent accuracy rate during the first week of matches. Eight other students tied for second place with a 60 percent accuracy rate.

Next week, Sacred Heart will discover just how tough the Petal Panthers are in their battle for the top spot in the Science Division.  Raleigh and West Jones will face each other, and the Raymond Rangers will have another chance to prove their prowess against the South Jones Braves.  Engineering Division leader, the Oak Grove Warriors will face the Technology Division’s second-place team, the Northeast Jones Tigers, while Presbyterian Christian will also cross divisions to meet Wayne County.  Perry Central and Wayne Academy square-off while Columbia Academy will take on Technology Division leader, the Quitman Panthers.

Results are posted on the JC Bobcat Math League web page under “Division Standings/Schedules at http://www.jcjc.edu/bobcatmathleague/  and the Facebook page: Bobcat Math League – Facebook as well as local media outlets. For more information about the Bobcat Math League contact Dr. Jessica Bunch (JC Bobcat Math League Commissioner) at 601-477-5422 or email at jessica.bunch@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s 2019 Honor Alumni are leaders in their area of expertise and have served the college and their communities with their talents. Jones County natives, senior vice president and financial advisor for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Tim Lawrence, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A in Laurel, Brittney Pickering and member of The Gaither Vocal Band, Reggie Smith, join Collins native, the president and chief operating officer of Chaparral Energy, Earl Reynolds as JC’s 2019 Honor Alumni. The four will be honored at the annual JCJC Alumni Luncheon on Homecoming Saturday, October 5, at 11:30 a.m. in the A.B. Howard Gymnasium. Reservations for the luncheon can be made through the Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145 or by emailing jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu.

“These four individuals are all outstanding in their own unique way.  I think the diversity of the group is one of the things that makes them special. They have all excelled in their chosen fields of endeavor!” said VP of Advancement and Executive Director of the JCJC Foundation Inc., Charlie Garretson.

Lawrence is a graduate of R.H. Watkins High School, a 1973 graduate of Jones County Junior College and Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi. However, Lawrence said in all of his educational experience, Jones was the most important to him.

“The two years I spent at Jones allowed me time to mature, save money and make friends. I also benefited greatly from the encouragement and motivation provided by the JC faculty, all of which helped to ensure success at MSU and Ole Miss,” said Lawrence. “Coming back to JCJC, I’ve noticed a lot has changed with modern buildings, a beautifully landscaped campus and a larger more diverse student population.  I am also amazed at the scope of educational opportunities that have changed…. JCJC was great when I was here but it’s best days are still ahead!”

In 1976, Lawrence moved to Jackson and served as an assistant to the State Treasurer and later as director of the Mississippi Treasury Bond Division from 1980-1985. For the past 33 years, he has been in the investment business.  Additionally, Lawrence has served as JCJC Alumni Association President in 2001-2002, and the JCJC Foundation Board of Directors from 1999-2008.  As Foundation Board President from 2001-2007, he was involved throughout the entire process of the first JCJC Foundation major gifts campaign, “Reaching New Heights,” as well as a strong supporter of the Foundation sponsored, Economic and Technology Symposium.

His wife Beverly volunteers at Northminister Baptist Church in Jackson’s Wider Net Ministry. Tim is also actively involved in his church and has served as the MSU College of Business Senior Executive Advisory Board, the boards of Mississippi Science Network and the Community Stewpot, and the advisory council of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. Of all his success, Lawrence counts his family as his greatest achievement as a father of three children who with their spouses, have post-graduate degrees and were tops in their class in law, business, finance and engineering.

Brittney Pickering is a fourth-generation Laurel native and is the daughter of entrepreneurs, Phill and Judy Wells. The Chick-fil-A owner and operator began her career in the public as the 2001 Laurel Miss Hospitality. The West Jones High School graduate began her sales career at Kim’s Toyota selling cars her senior year and her freshman year at Jones. At JCJC, she was selected as a 2001 freshman maid and the 2002 Homecoming Queen. Before graduating from Jones, she started a diamond business she operated for seven years while earning her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing in 2005 from USM.

Before her journey with Chick-fil-A, Pickering worked for Wright Medical in orthopedic sales for three years.  As the training director for two years, Pickering commuted from Laurel to Madison before seizing the opportunity to become the owner/operator of Chick-fil-A at the Turtle Creek Mall location in 2010. Two years later, she was able to manage the Sawmill Square Mall location before realizing her 10-year goal of opening a free-standing restaurant on 16^th Avenue in Laurel, in 2017.  Recognizing her accomplishments, Chick-fil-A named her the 2016 recipient of the company’s coveted Symbol of Success Award and Champions Club.

Additionally, Pickering serves the community as a board of trustee’s member for Saint John’s Day School, West Jones Elementary School PTO member and Title-One Committee member. At First Baptist Church of Laurel, she serves on various committees, and at JC, she is a member of the advisory board for the culinary arts program. Brittney and her high school sweetheart, Stan Pickering have been married for 16 years and have three children.

“I am extremely humbled and excited to be named one of Jones College’s Honor Alumni this year. It means a lot to be honored by the college that has given me such a solid foundation for my career as well as my personal life.  For that, I will be eternally grateful,” said Pickering.

Collins High School graduate, Earl Reynolds played football for Coach Sim Cooley and the two, state championship teams before graduating with honors in 1980. At Mississippi State, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering and later, Reynolds earned a Master of Science in petroleum engineering from the University of Houston in 1993.

He joined Superior Oil in Lafayette, Louisiana, as a production engineer before eventually moving into leadership positions with Mobil Oil in 1988.  Two years later, he joined Burlington Resources as General Manager in London, England. While in the United Kingdom, he established an operational office and recruited a team while leading the execution of a major offshore sub-sea development. This development of the oil industry led to his role as senior vice president of strategic development for Devon Energy. Reynolds joined Chaparral Energy in 2011, as an executive vice president and chief operating officer and the company’s president in 2014, and its chief executive officer in 2017.  The New York Stock Exchange publicly traded independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

In addition to his career, Reynolds has served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations in Houston and Oklahoma City.  He currently sits on the board of directors for the Oklahoma City YMCA and the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma.  In 2013, he was named as a Distinguished Fellow of the Mississippi State University Bagley College of Engineering.  He and his wife, Deborah, have five children and one grandson.

Honor Alumnus, Reggie Smith is most famous for his singing career, although he also played football at JC in 1983-1984.  The current Nashville resident is a member of the Grammy Award-winning, Hall of Fame vocal group, The Gaither Vocal Band. Before he joined the Vocal Band in 2017, Smith was a featured vocalist on the Gaither Homecoming TV show and tour for more than fifteen years, with more than 100 million recordings sold around the world.  He and his wife, Ladye Love have been part of the Gaither Homecoming family for more than a decade as back-up singers and as a vocal duet featured at concerts and recordings. As a soloist and duet partner with his wife, Smith has performed in prestigious venues such as the Super Bowl, New York’s famed Carnegie Hall and the Kremlin in Moscow.

His smooth, tenor voice has earned him international recognition with performances with Billy Graham crusades to Disney’s “The Lion King” soundtrack to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Smith has performed in more than 20 countries and has complemented some of the top talents in both country and gospel music, including Dolly Parton, George Jones, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner and Faith Hill.  Reggie’s first solo project, “Collection” debuted in May 2018.

Beyond his singing talent, Smith has also produced recordings for a multitude of top artists including Michael Martin Murphy.  Additionally, he has produced music for more than 25 years for Jones OnStage show choir at JC. While a student at JC, Smith earned scholarships for his football and singing talent at Jones. After graduating in 1984, he earned a degree in music from the University of Mississippi, where he has also completed work toward his master’s degree in vocal performance.

ELLISVILLE – Hattiesburg photographer, sculptor, graphic designer and artist, Kim Pluskota’s work is on display until September 13, at Jones College’s Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery.  The public is invited to a reception in Pluskota’s honor on Friday, September 6, at 4 p.m. in the art gallery on the Ellisville campus.

Pluskota’s recent, Savannah College of Art and Design M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, “Of a Sacred Nature” features carved and painted abstract, wooden sculptures.  Her work is an avenue towards being immersed into the “meditative qualities of simple color, texture, line and form,” as an escape from the busy world.

“It’s important to create art that focuses on aesthetic beauty, abstraction and whimsy in order to offer the viewer a reprieve from the stresses of everyday life,” said Pluskota.

Influenced by her Peruvian heritage and her favorite contemporary artists, her year in Estonia further developed the desire to create traditional handmade objects. Her work embraces the future while also finding a connection to the past.

“My work reflects the significance of nature, heritage, and memories in my life. The sculptures offer a reminder of the sacred qualities of nature and the importance of our harmonious coexistence with it,” said Pluskota.  “While echoing aesthetics of the past, the materials, shapes and overall compositions in my art are inherently embedded with a contemporary influence.”

For more information about the JC art show contact the gallery at 601-477-4148 or visit the gallery which 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 for lunch daily from 11:30 until noon. If you want to know more about the Jones College Fine Arts Department check out the JC Fine Arts Facebook page at JCJCFineArts.