Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE – Five Jones College sophomore art students earned recognition from the Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association’s annual art competition and show. Carly McInnis from Mize earned first place honors in the 3D category and an Honorable Mention for her drawing entry, “Untitled.” The sophomore graphic design major said this was the first time she entered an art show.

“This is the first time I’ve ever entered anything in an art show, this is the first show! I was very shocked (to learn I won in the 3D category) because there were so many other pieces that were good. It was for the experience, even if I didn’t win anything,” said McInnis.

Her unnamed 3D art figure, her mother calls, “Squidward” was created using sand, cardboard, and mod podge. While time consuming, McInnis says it was fun creating her 3D art project.

“I have really come to love abstract art, 3D art. The project was to cover it in something that didn’t make it look like the cardboard used to create the figure. I thought sand would be cool because it would look rocky, and people would wonder how did that stay up? Mark Brown, my teacher told me to finish it and put it in the show and see what happens. I finished the weekend before entries were due.”

McInnis’s “big” goal is to work for Disney animation after graduating in May from Jones and finishing her degree at USM.

Other winners from Jones College include Bryanna Davidson of Laurel’s “Teeth” drawing which earned 3^rd place. Honorable Mention accolades were bestowed to Laurel’s Aryn Cox, for her drawing, “The Backyard,” and Hattiesburg’s Rebekah Lawless’ drawing, “Untitled 2”.   In the 2D art category, Heidelberg’s Quinton Chapman received an Honorable Mention for his work, “Untitled.”

Best of Show went to Southwest Mississippi Community College sophomore, Darryn Coney for his pencil drawing, “Bessie.” More than 170 pieces of art were submitted for MCCAIA’s competition and art show which was on display in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the Jones College campus in Ellisville in March.

MCCAIA Awards by Category

Best in Show

Darryn Coney, Bessie, SMCC

Painting/Mixed Media:

1st: Mandy Zhang, Brick #2, Holmes Ridgeland

2nd: Theresa Ho, Nightscape, Holmes Ridgeland

3rd: Mia Cossin, Cooper Dyes His Hair, ICC

HM: Theresa Ho, Bricked, Holmes Ridgeland

Why Hewitt, Cupcake, NWCC

Drawing:

1st: Kaitlin Stegall, Plum Tea, ICC

2nd: Jamiah Smith, Decoy, Hinds/Raymond

3rd: Bryanna Davidson, Teeth, Jones

HM: Carly McInnis, Untitled, Jones

Aryn Cox, The Backyard, Jones

Peyton Barr, Self-Portrait, NWCC

Colton Miller, Converse Desktop, Co-Lin

Rebekah Lawless, Untitled 2, Jones

Megan Jeter, Self-Portrait, NWCC

Ella Bowen, Paper Bag, EMCC Golden Triangle

Kaitlin Stegall, Caleb’s Sunset, ICC

2D Design:

1st: Peyton Barr, Gas Masks/Emphasis, NWCC

2nd: Peyton Barr, Balance, NWCC

3rd: Olivia Reed, Self-Portrait, MGCCC

HM: Megan Jeter, Untitled, NWCC

Mia Coggin, Eye, Eye, Captive, ICC

Colton Miller, Local/Expressive Color, Co-Lin

Erin Gullet, Globes on Table, Hinds

Catherine Milford, Void, Holmes

Quinton Chapman, Untitled, Jones

Inya Kirkland, Excitement, Hinds/Raymond

3D Design:

1st: Carly McInnis, Untitled, Jones

2nd: Peyton Barr, Surveillance System, NWCC

3rd: Alissa Ladner, Linear Design Project, Co-Lin

HM: Elliana Parker, Patterned Gogh, ICC

Hailey Hardy, Bumpy Ride, East Central CC

Digital/Computer Art:

1st: Brian Lummus, November Prince, Meridian

2nd: Colton Miller, The Great Daltoni, Co-Lin

3rd: Viskiyya Muhammad, Viskiyya, Meridian

HM: Gabby Ladd, Social Medusa, Co-Lin

Photography:

1st: Nicolas Boerema, Spake Motion, Hinds

2nd: Anwar Alhanshaly, Peace and Quiet, Hinds

3rd: Nicolas Boerema, Revelry, Hinds

HM: Nicolas Boerema, Heaven Wave, Hinds

Anwar Alhanshaly, Antique Boutique, Hinds

Printmaking:

1st: Colton Miller, Oscar, Co-Lin

2nd: Honor Brown, Grammy, EMCC Golden Triangle

3rd: Ella Bowen, Honey, EMCC Golden Triangle

HM: Sarah Banes, Butterflies, EMCC Golden Triangle

Ceramics:

1st: Gabby Ladd, Chaos and Serenity, Co-Lin

2nd: Morgan Rogillio, Crystal Turquoise Bowl, Hinds/Raymond

3rd: Katherine Witsberger, Like Blades of Grass Returning, Hinds

HM: Drew Winter, Brainstorm, Hinds

Photo by Kelly Atwood: Pictured, left to right, back row, are Jones College’s Newspaper staff writers and editors with their awards from the Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest: Shannon Barbin of Hattiesburg, Mackenzie Gunter of Hattiesburg, Megan Matthews of Richton, Erin Fairchild of Seminary, Keenon Simmons of Laurel, Opinions editor Jennifer Shirley of Waynesboro, Photography editor Montanah Middleton of Mize, Copy editor Olivia Norwood of Laurel; front row, News editor Bryce Dupree of Raleigh, Sports  editor Presley White of Quitman, photographer Bralynn Newell of Newton, and Features editor Mikayla Rainey of Ellisville. Not pictured is Kyle Manseill of Waynesboro.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College competed in the Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest for colleges and brought home the General Excellence award in the community college category.

Jones students received 11 awards, with Southwest Community College earning three and Holmes Community College received two awards. For most of the categories, these three participating community colleges competed against universities, including the University of Mississippi, Mississippi College, Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.

The Jones newspaper, the Radionian, won first, second and third place in the news category. Tori Ellis was the second and third place winner for her stories on COVID-19. The Radionian also swept the Features category. Mikayla Rainey received first place, Dariyel Johnson of Leakesville received second place, and Olivia Norwood received third place. In the Feature Photo category, Bralynn Newell won first place and Montanah Middleton won second place.

In the General Interest Column, which included both two and four-year colleges, Mikayla Rainey received third place for her column on mental health. In the Website category, which included both two and four-year colleges, the Jones website bobcatpress.com received third place. Under the Use of Social Media category, which included both two and four-year colleges, Bryce Dupree and Presley White received first place. In all three of these categories, the others who placed were all from universities.

The General Excellence award has both a university and two-year college winner. Mississippi State University joined Jones College in the win.

“I’m happy to see my students are able to successfully compete on the university level,” said newspaper advisor Kelly Atwood. “Newspaper staffs are getting smaller at colleges nationwide, but my students are always in demand. With more people accepting social media, partisan websites and newstainment TV as official news sources, it’s getting harder to find objective journalism, but it is so important for our nation. Today’s guest speakers were perfect examples of why society still needs professional journalists. Regardless of the medium, professional, objective, responsible journalists will always be needed to preserve democracy and place the public good above everything else.”

Before the contest, the 24^th annual O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit was held with speakers Geoff Pender of Mississippi Today, Emily Wagster Pettus from the Associated Press, cartoonist Ricky Nobile and keynote speaker Jerry Mitchell from the Mississippi Center for Investigative reporting.

Atwood is currently taking applications for the Fall 2022 staff. Interested students should email her at Kelly.atwood@jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE – Live, theatrical performances of the popular, Disney movie, “High School Musical,” presented by Jones College’s theater department, are expected to attract large crowds as Covid-19 regulations are easing. Musical performances will be on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years of age. Jones College faculty, staff and students are admitted free of charge with their Jones College ID. Tickets will be available for purchase online. Check the Jones College Arts, Music, and Performance Facebook page for details. Additionally, information regarding current Covid-19 Health Department and CDC guidelines and mask requirements can be found on Jones College and the JC Arts, Music, and Performance department’s social media in April.

Following a smaller cast show, “Godspell” in 2021, and the cancelation of 2020’s musical, “Momma Mia,” because of the Covid-19 pandemic, JC musical theater director/producer, Dr. Jennifer Bruton said she wanted to bring as many students as possible on board for a popular show that would be enjoyed by both the performers and audience.

“This generation of students grew up with the ‘High School Musical’ franchise which includes three blockbuster movies and several spin off series,” said Bruton.  “The original, ‘High School Musical’ movie, which the musical is based upon, was in theaters in 2006, and vaulted Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale to stardom.”

One of the lead characters, Troy is played by Conner Smith of Ellisville. He is portrayed as one of East High’s most popular students and a star basketball player. The new girl in town, Gabriella is played by Natalie DeWitt of Laurel. This shy, smart girl is also a great singer and upstages Sharpay, played by Anna Leigh Ragsdale of Mize. Everyone soon learns Troy has a hidden talent that also threatens Sharpay and her brother Ryan’s (played by Wesley Nelson Carmical of Ellisville) popularity and starring roles in the school’s musical. Troy isn’t exactly ready to shine on the stage but he likes performing with Gabriella as their relationship blossoms.

Musical hits from the original soundtrack include, “Breaking Free,” which landed as #4 on the pop charts. Other songs like, “Wildcat Cheer,” “We’re All in This Together” and “Get’cha Head in the Game,” will also likely have the audience singing along with the cast.

“I knew we were going to have a great turn out for auditions when we started playing, ‘We’re All in This Together’ and the students broke out into the dance moves from the movie!” said Bruton.

The Jones Colleges musical theater production of “High School Musical” features 30 students and a live band. Additionally, Musical Theater incorporates the talents of various Jones College programs, including the commercial and residential maintenance program, and the band and cheerleaders to help make this production come to life.

Familiar to the JC theater stage, is sophomore mechanical engineering major, Conner Smith. As Troy, played by Zac Efron in the Disney movie, the veteran singer and theatrical performer is familiar with playing the lead role in theatrical productions. In fact, Smith has a lot of experience being cast in the lead roles as Jack Kelly in “Newsies,” Kerchak in “Tarzan,” and Doodie in “Grease” during his high school acting career at South Jones. Most recently, last spring, Smith played the double role of John the Baptist and Judas in “Godspell” at Jones College. He said he is looking forward to being the star basketball player in this year’s musical.

“I’ve always loved the Disney movies, ‘High School Musical’ so I thought I would enjoy being in this production,” said Smith. “It’s fun playing a character that’s not that different from who I am.”

His female co-star, Gabriella played by Natalie DeWitt of Laurel, is a freshman, pursuing a degree in speech pathology. She is also no stranger to the theater stage.

“I love being able to bring Gabriella to life and play a character that I haven’t performed before. I feel that we can all see a bit of ourselves in Gabriella, however, as an extrovert, getting the opportunity to play a character like her has been different and exciting,” said DeWitt. “I have had a love for performing and have been involved in many plays throughout my life. It is truly so special to work with such a talented cast like this!”

Feeling insecure about the new girl at East High is the fashionable and feisty, Sharpay. She is portrayed by music education vocalist, AnnaLeigh Ragsdale of Mize.

“‘High School Musical’ has been one of my favorite movies since I was little with Sharpay being my favorite fashionable character. Being able to play her character is a dream come true!” said Ragsdale. “Sharpay’s bitter attitude has been a fun way to step out of my comfort zone during rehearsal.”

Coming to Gabriella’s rescue is her best friend in the movie, Taylor McKessie, played by Wayne County’s Mya McLain. The sophomore pre-law major has no problem playing the smart girl with real-life roles as the President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and being selected for the JC Hall of Fame and Letter “J” academic honors.

“I love Taylor McKessie! She’s too smart for her own good sometimes and she has to show her edginess and strong spirit in subtle ways that don’t put her in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. She’s blunt, hard working and knows what she wants. I get compared to her a lot actually!” said McLain.

As everyone seems to demand Troy and Gabriella’s time, they find little time for each other which works perfectly for Sharpay and Ryan, who devise a plan to disrupt the new couple’s opportunity to shine on the stage.

To learn how the drama at East High unfolds, buy your tickets in advance, online by checking the Jones College Arts, Music and Performance website and social media pages. For more information about the Jones College Arts, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.

Cast, Crew and Ensemble

Sarah Adams, Ellisville – Ensemble

Ni’Riyah Bell, Laurel – Ensemble

Wesley Nelson Carmical, Ellisville – Ryan

Ta’Nyia Cooley, Shubuta – Ensemble

Natalie DeWitt, Laurel – Gabriella

Reagan Gass, Waynesboro – Kelsi

Cameron Glenn, Laurel – Chad

Mackenzie Golemon Moselle – Ensemble

Jordan Grimes, Leakesville – Ensemble

Dasani Hill, State Line – Susan/Ensemble

Christopher Holloway, State Line – Crew

Kamaya Hutton, Laurel – Crew

Kathryn Hyatt, Laurel – Ensemble

Beyonce Kenny, Rolling Fork – Cathy/Ensemble

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian – Martha

Eboni McDonald, Taylorsville – Ensemble

Mya McLain, Waynesboro – Taylor

Mya McLaurin, Bay Springs – Ensemble

Alexis Millwood, Brandon – Ensemble

Briannesha Mingo, Sandy Hook – Costume/Crew

Lee Mixon, Stonewall -James/Ensemble

Brandon Murray, Laurel – Ensemble

Bralynn Newell, Newton – Mrs. Darbus

Abby Nix, Ellisville – Ensemble

Eileen Ortega, Collins – Cyndra/Ensemble

AnnaLeigh Ragsdale, Mize – Sharpay

Phoenix Riley, Petal – Crew

Ethan Robertson, Columbia – Ensemble

Dreamanda Ross, Monticello – Ensemble

John Scott, Hattiesburg – Ensemble

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh – Zeke

Conner Smith, Ellisville – Troy

Matthew Taylor, Richland -Ripper

Payton Voge, Laurel – Stage Manager

Dalton Whitehead, Columbia – Alan/Ensemble

Donovan Williams, Laurel – Jack Scott

ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery in Ellisville is featuring the artwork from community college students statewide who have submitted artwork in the annual, Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association’s (MCCAIA) Student Art Competition and Art Show. More than 170 pieces of artwork is featured from students competing in eight categories of artwork from painting and mixed media to drawing, 2D Design, 3D Design, Digital/Computer Art, Photography, Printmaking and Ceramics. All entries will be on display throughout March, with the winners presented with ribbons and cash awards at the shows’ awards presentation and reception, on April 1, at 9:30 a.m. in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery.

“The quality of the work in the show is an indicator of the excellent art instruction students can receive at the community college level,” said Jones College art instructor and the MCCAIA President, Melanie Eubanks.

The art gallery is filled with the submitted work from full time students from Co-Lin Community College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Gulf Coast Community College, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College, Itawamba Community College, Jones College, Meridian Community College, Northwest Community College, and Southwest Community College.

For more information about the JC art show or to arrange a visit to the gallery call, 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery 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 during the holidays. If you want to know more about the Jones College Art Department, go to the JC Art Department’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s visual arts instructor, Melanie Eubanks was recently honored as Jones College’s 2021-2022 Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher of the Year.  Each community college and university select a faculty representative that the MHC honors with a cash award and certificate.

“In 1972, the MHC Humanities Teacher of the Year program was founded to not only reward our teachers but to also show the importance of the humanities in creating engaged and informed citizens. This is also an investment by the MHC in scholarships at this level. Additionally, the honored teachers create a pool of scholars for our speaker’s bureau,” said Assistant Director of the Mississippi Humanities Council, Carol Andersen.

During Eubank’s presentation, “Getting to Creativity Through Ceramics,” she shared the history of ceramics and pottery and the creative process. The long-time educator even demonstrated her pottery throwing skills for the audience who gathered to see her be honored for her work. Eubanks said she’s overwhelmed by the MHC award which names 30 Humanities instructors across the state that will be honored by the Mississippi Humanities Council during the MHC’s annual gala.

“It’s a little overwhelming but a great honor validating so many things that are important to me, primarily, the role of the arts in examining what it means to be human,” said Eubanks. “I teach art appreciation and hopefully I can instill some appreciation of art for those students who have not been exposed to it before. It is enjoyable spending time with students and working with them and opening their minds.”

During the Pascagoula native and current Hattiesburg resident’s presentation, she explained ceramics may have been discovered accidentally in China in 20,000 BC and in Japan in 10,000 BC.

“Pottery may have been discovered accidentally but it’s continually being developed and changing. People were basket weaving for practical purposes long before pottery, however, chards of baskets with clay contents have been found. It is believed that accidentally or on purpose, these baskets lined with clay to help hold the contents of the basket were dropped in the fire and the clay remained and hardened,” said Eubanks.

As for Eubanks, her love of ceramics began in Mize with her Smith County cousins while playing with the clay from a creek bed.

“As a child, I was OCD about getting my hands dirty. However, I was at my cousin’s house in Smith County and the boys were five or six years older than me and playing in the creek bed. They were making animals out of clay. It was counterintuitive for me to get my hands dirty, but I was hooked! I didn’t even realize my hands were dirty because it was fun creating clay animals!” Eubanks shared. “However, I was a freshman in college before making anything again with clay as an art major.”

While primarily a ceramics artist, Eubanks paints and has tried many different materials and crafts. Amongst her new favorites are weaving and hot glass/lamp work. Over the years, she has worked on several, “Empty Bowls” projects in Laurel and Hattiesburg, she is a board member for the Hattiesburg Civic Light Orchestra, worked in community theater, and Eubanks is a member of the Women’s Art Collective and the Mississippi Art Colony. Eubanks currently serves as the president of the Mississippi Community College Art Instructor Association, which hosts a student competition each year.

In 1992, Eubanks earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting and drawing, and a minor in art history from the University of Southern Mississippi. She earned her master’s degree a year later and began teaching at JCJC in the fall of 1994.

Additionally, Eubanks has been honored with the Lamplighter Award in 2016 and is a ceramics adjunct instructor at William Carey University. For USM’s theater department, she assisted with the set painting for the 2017 play, The Phantom of the Opera. Melanie is married to Mark Rigsby and they have one child, Hank Rigsby who is a sophomore in high school.