Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE- For the last five years, Jones College Foundation’s Day of Giving event has surpassed its goal with this year being no exception. Thanks to the generosity of the alumni and friends of the two-year college, the $200,000 goal was surpassed before noon on the National Day of Giving event, which is held each Tuesday after Thanksgiving. At the end of the day, $258,727.64 was raised.

“We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our Legacy Donors as well as new donors, whose contributions made these milestones possible. It is an honor to witness such selflessness and dedication. These donors are not only leaving a legacy, but they are also leading the way toward excellence. Their generosity is truly inspiring, and it leaves a lasting mark on the future of Jones College,” said an excited Sabrina Young, Jones College Vice President of External Funding and the Executive Director of the Jones College Foundation.

She continued to explain that the Day of Giving supports the college’s Legacy Giving Campaign which is supporting the Napier School of Art and Design, JC Healthcare programs and career and technical education. Providing scholarships in those specific programs will help students overcome obstacles, succeed and transform their lives.

Representatives from the Ellisville High School Class of 1964 announced they were establishing one of the newest scholarships as part of the Day of Giving at Jones College. The original high school was established in 1911, as Jones County Agricultural High School and began offering college courses in 1927. The high school eventually became known as Ellisville High School, and it remained on the current Jones College campus. As schools were later consolidated, South Jones High School was established in 1965.

“One day, no one will remember the high school because it was closed in 1965. We were the next to last graduating class before consolidation,” explained Tommie Lowery. “Everyone in this group of about 20 or so of us decided we’d start this scholarship. We did not do any fundraisers or anything like that. It was just because we want our Ellisville High School to be remembered through the years and that’s what it’s all about.”

Once the scholarship is endowed, which Lowery expects to be soon, Jones College student recipients will get a brief history about Ellisville High School as a way to continue its legacy.

“I hope that students will realize there were lots of footprints that came before them on this campus, and many of us had the most wonderful experience at Ellisville High School. Many of us stayed and attended Jones for two years and I would have been here for more if they would let me stay!” shared Lowery. “We want JC students to know how important we think the college is because we were here before. The college has grown into such a beautiful campus. It was beautiful then, but it’s extremely beautiful now. We want them to know that we care about education. We care about Jones College; we care about them.”

Scholarships are one way to continue a legacy with a far-reaching impact for decades. Young said she is thankful so many friends and alumni of the college have reached out to support the future of education.

“I want to thank all the donors, and the Jones College Foundation Board members who continuously support the Foundation and the College, not only through their leadership but also through their time and contributions,” Young said. “Without their assistance and support we are limited in the ways we can expand and enhance our student’s ability to serve our community in the areas that are highlighted in healthcare and career and technical education, through professional development for faculty members as well as with scholarships,” said Young. “

As a special thank-you, donors participating in the one-day event were entered into a raffle for the Grand Prize, a Jones College custom grill handcrafted by our talented students in Workforce Welding. Additionally, donors could receive one of three gift baskets packed with items from B&R Industrial Supply, Community Bank, Magnolia State Bank, Adam Trest, Shug’s, Lowes, Alexander’s Hardware, The Knight Butcher, and the Scotsman Company.

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. Tax-deductible donations can be accepted online at any time at the link, https://www.jcjc.edu/alumni_foundation/day-of-giving/  To keep track of the progress goals are reached, follow us on social media at Facebook-JCJC Alumni and Foundation, Instagram @jc_foundation_alumni/,   Facebook-Jones College, and Jones College-Twitter or “X”. For more information contact the Jones College Alumni and Foundation Office at 601-477-4145.

ELLISVILLE –Jones College’s Concert Choir and JC Voices will be spreading a little Christmas cheer in Downtown Ellisville on Thursday, December 12, from 11 a.m. until about noon in the park across from Community Bank and next to Ward’s Pharmacy. The free concert will include some favorite Christmas songs like, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, What Child is This? and Five Favorite Holiday Songs.

“We want to spread a little Christmas Joy to everyone,” said Jones College Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Imgyu Kang. “This is a special time of year, and we hope singing Christmas music would brighten the day as everyone rushes to lunch or shopping.”

For more information about the JC Fine Arts follow Jones College’s School of the Arts, Music, and Performance on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts and on “X” formerly,  Twitter.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College sophomore from Ellisville, Kayla Hamil was crowned Most Beautiful at the Jones College Most Beautiful Pageant held November 8, in the M.P. Bush Fine Art Auditorium. Forty contestants vied for the title this year.

The Top Five winners included: First Alternate-Abigail Trejo of Moselle, Second Alternate-Emma Grace Buckley of Bay Springs, Third Alternate-Kameron Upchurch of Laurel, and Fourth Alternate-Ashlyn Buster of Pachuta.

The ladies making up the group of Top Ten winners were Tashayla Broomfield of Lawrence County, Haley Fortenberry of Collins, Xoe Lockhart of Carriere, Anna Grace Bolivar of Laurel, Cambrey Irby of Enterprise, Abigail Trejo of Moselle, Emma Grace Buckley of Bay Springs, Most Beautiful-Kayla Hamil of Ellisville, Kameron Upchurch of Laurel, and Ashlyn Buster of Pachuta. Additionally, Xoe Lockhart of Carriere won the Most Photogenic award, and Hamil won the Audience Choice award.

Former Jones College Most Beautiful winner, Miss Jones County and Miss Mississippi 2021 contestant, Caidyn Crowder of Ellisville entertained the audience throughout the pageant along with Jones OnStage.

The pageant, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs and the JC Lair Yearbook, uses part of its proceeds to fund the Madge Mailey scholarship, which is offered through the Jones College Foundation.

ELLISVILLE – Twenty-six Jones College students have received $800 in scholarship money from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association’s Round Up for Education program, which has helped more than 2,000 community college students over the past 12 years. This fall, 185 students in total, throughout Pearl River Valley Electric’s 12-county service area received a financial boost as they begin their school year. 

“I am so thankful to all the people that have made the choice to donate to this Scholarship fund, Roundup for Education,” said Jones College freshman, Miranda Barefoot of Sumrall. “It’s going to help me long term, achieve my nursing degree and eventually specialize in labor and delivery to where I can give back to all the people that need it.”

Pearl River Valley Electric’s Round Up for Education program is funded by members who round their bills up to the nearest dollar each month. Scholarships are available to members who participate in the program, as well as for their spouses or dependent children who were enrolled as freshmen this fall.

“I am very appreciative for this opportunity from the community because the change they donate is given back to college students like me, trying to get an education,” said Jones College freshman from Hattiesburg, Sydney Turner who aspires to be a diagnostic medical sonographer.

CEO/General Manager Matthew Ware said he appreciated the dedication of its members who help the electric cooperative do “amazing things” by helping students and building stronger communities.

 “Without our members’ support of the scholarship program, we wouldn’t be able to improve the lives of so many students,” said Ware. “Sometimes the smallest gestures, like donating 50 cents a month, can make the biggest impact in our communities. While it may not seem like your spare change can do much, when combined with the generosity of other Pearl River Valley Electric members, you can help change the life of a fellow member while also improving your local community.  This program shows how working together can make a big difference – and that is the cooperative way.”

Since the Round Up program began in November 2012, nearly 2.5 million has been collected and deposited in an account overseen by the Pine Belt Foundation. Ten percent of each year’s funds are set aside in an endowed fund for future scholarship opportunities. The remaining money is divided equally between the number of eligible applicants, resulting in 185 scholarships worth $800 per student this year. In the program’s 12 years, 2,354 students received scholarships.

Scholarship recipients this year include 110 students attending Pearl River Community College, 31 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and 26 at Jones County Junior College. An additional 18 students are attending six other state community colleges. Overall, students came from 19 different high schools and home school programs.

 Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1, go toward next year’s scholarships. Applications for 2025 scholarships will be available beginning this month.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s School of Art, Music and Performance and the Salvation Army invite the public to join its celebration of, “Christmas with the Arts-Because of Bethlehem” on Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are available for $10 & $15 through the reservation website, https://www.jcjc.edu/tickets/ 

“Reserve your seats now because we do expect the show to be sold out,” said Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith. “If you bring a new, unwrapped toy on the night of the performance, if there are any seats left you can get a discounted ticket. However, we hope people will bring a toy to support the Salvation Army regardless.”

This year’s program will follow 5th grader, Greenly Flowers of Ellisville as she experiences various Christmas events like mall shopping, seeing Santa, midnight mass and other surprises along her journey. As she discovers the true meaning of Christmas, the audience will enjoy performances from the Concert Choir, JC Jazz Band, the Percussion Ensemble, the new Ladies Quartet, JC Voices, the Touch of Gold dancers, and a special piano performance.

“For the first time ever, we’ll hear, JC’s piano professors, Dr. Theresa Sanchez and Dr. Victoria Johnson along with two of their students perform an eight-hand piece on two different Steinway B pianos. Additionally, we’ll hear some wonderful music from our new Steinway Spirio-R piano which will be an impressive moment,” shared Smith.

Even though a new toy is not required for admission to the Christmas performance at Jones College, the Salvation Army toy drive is an excellent opportunity for our students and community to give back at a time when it’s really critical. Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games, and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in the area this Christmas. Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties.

For more information, call the Jones College School of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Jones College’s Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and X formerly Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to https://salvationarmyalm.org/