ELLISVILLE – Homecoming on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville will be a celebration of the theme, “IAMJC! Let the Good Times Roll!” Numerous activities, reunions and gatherings are scheduled before the culmination of Homecoming celebrations on Saturday, October 28, 2023. During halftime of the football game, Queen Aliyah Watts of Foxworth, and the entire JC student-elected, 2023 Homecoming Court will be presented. Escorting the ladies will be a Jones College student selected by the student representatives.
Queen, Aliyah Watts of Foxworth is majoring in Psychology. The Jones College sophomore attended West Marion High School and finished high school at the Mississippi School for the Arts in Brookhaven. She participated in the high school choir and color guard, earning the role of captain her sophomore year. As a member of show choir, Aliyah received the “Best Performer Award” in 2018 and she was the V.P. of SGA and a Diversity Club member. At Jones College, Aliyah was elected V.P. of the Student Government Association and V.P. of Fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is a Worship Team member for the Baptist Student Union and she performs with the Jones OnStage show choir, Collegiate Choir and Concert Choir. Additionally, Watts was a Freshman Homecoming Maid last year and she is a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute and recipient of the Letter “J” Award. After graduation this May, Aliyah plans to continue her educational journey at William Carey University and eventually earn her Ph.D. in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice for a career as a forensic psychologist. Her parents are Tamara Pittman and Chris Watts.
“Thank you, Jones College for allowing me to be your Homecoming Queen! Thank you to my family and friends for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams and for all your encouragement and prayers,” said Watts.
Seth Walker of Laurel will be escorting Watts at Homecoming. At West Jones High School, he was involved in show choir and theater, in addition to various clubs like Beta Club, Key Club and Student Council. Graduating with a Distinguished Academic Honor’s diploma and a 4.0 GPA, Walker also earned Hall of Fame honors. At Jones, Seth is majoring in journalism and is a member of the yearbook. He was also the V.P. of the Freshman Class and performs with the Concert Choir and Jones OnStage. In addition, he is a member of the SGA, BSU, FCA and PTK. His future plans include graduating in December and moving to North Carolina to intern at Elevation Church before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theology at Liberty University. His parents are Scott and Suzie Walker.
Bailie Bishop of Laurel is your Student Body Maid. The West Jones High School graduate is a sports marketing major, with a minor in pre-law. The former Mustang was a member of several organizations including the National Beta Club, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta and Kiwanis Club. At Jones College, she is a member of the Touch of Gold and Gold Rush dance teams, Bobcat Brigade, FBLA, FCA, Philosophy Club and SGA. Bailie is also the Chief Editor of the Bobcat Broadcast and the Bobcat Podcast. Her future plans include graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, intern for the athletics program and eventually work at ESPN, with the end goal of starting her own sports agency, serving as an agent for professional athletes. Bailie’s parents are Josh and Brandi Ezell.
Escorting Bishop will be Kadin Johnston of Waynesboro, who is majoring in pre-physical therapy. The Wayne Academy 2022 Salutatorian was busy in high school playing football and baseball and received the Jaguar Award. He is the PTK President at Jones College in addition to being a member of the Bobcat Brigade student ambassadors, the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, SGA, FCA, Philosophy Club and participates in Intramurals. After earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, Johnston wants to earn his doctorate degree in physical therapy and open his own practice. His parents are Judd and Teresa Johnston.
Jessica Manning of Quitman is your Sophomore Maid. Majoring in music education, Jessica has been a member of the Mississippi All-State Lions Band in high school and was involved in Beta Club. She was recognized as a Mississippi Scholar, National Honors Society member, and John Phillip Sousa Award Winner. Also, Jessica won the talent competition as a Distinguished Young Woman competition. For the last two years, Manning has been a drum major for the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, a member of PTK Honor Society and on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team. Her future plans include earning her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in music education at William Carey University with the goal of becoming a college band director. Manning’s parents are Douglas and Carla Manning.
Ethan Noffke of Seminary will be escorting Manning at Homecoming. The Seminary Attendance Center graduate was a member of the Bulldog Marching Band, serving as Trumpet Captain and earning the John Philip Sousa Award. The Networking/Programming major at Jones is a member of the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band and is the captain of the trumpet section. He hopes to earn a computer engineering/cybersecurity degree at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and work for Raytheon or BlueTalon software company. His parents are Jeremy Noffke and Miriam Sanford.
Sophomore Maid, Halle Myrick is from Petal and is a Health-Related Professions major. In high school, Halle was a member of the Petal High School tennis team and participated in the Beauty and Beau Pageant. The Mississippi High School Activities Association Scholar Athlete graduated with Honors and has been on the President’s List Honor Roll at Jones College. She has also participated in the Jones College Most Beautiful Pageant and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Her future plans include becoming a cardiac and vascular sonographer after graduating from the Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound in Mobile, Alabama. Myrick’s parents are Shawn and Angela Myrick.
Her escort will be Braxton Thompson of Richton. The electro-mechanical technology major played football at Richton High School. Braxton is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Baptist Student Union at Jones College. He has also earned Dean’s List Honor Roll accolades. Thompson’s future plans include continuing his education at Mississippi State University and becoming an electromechanical technician. Braxton’s parents are Joel Thompson and Susan Jenkins.
Freshman Maid, Mary Taylor Jones lives in Collins and plans to major in business and marketing when she transfers to Mississippi State University. At Prentiss Christian High School, she was voted Homecoming Queen and Miss Prentiss Christian. Mary Taylor was also a member of the Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Cheer Captain, and she was a member of the PCHS Hall of Fame. At Jones College, she is a member of the Student Government Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Andy and Deanna Jones are Mary Taylor’s parents.
Escorting Jones will be Haydyn Pickering of Waynesboro. The graduate of Wayne Academy played football and baseball. Graduating with Honors, he was also a member of the Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Haydyn is a member of the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro and is an active member of the Youth Group. After graduating from Jones College, Pickering plans to attend Mississippi State University. His parents are Tal and Tracy Pickering of Collins and Ricky and Amy Pittman of Waynesboro.
Markecia Lloyd is your Freshman Maid from Brandon, and she is majoring in radiology. The Pisgah High School graduate was a member of the Beta Club, the Basketball Team and was a member of the National Honors Society. Markecia earned an ACT Scholarship at Jones College. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in radiology and then become a diagnostic medical sonographer, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Her parents are Allen and Monica Williams.
La’Marcus Miller of McComb will be escorting Lloyd. The business major from McComb played baseball and football while at McComb High School. At Jones College, La’Marcus is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. His future plans include being a successful businessman. His parents are Marcus Miller and Brandi Everett.
The Homecoming Court will also feature the Flower Girl, five-year-old Norah Smith, the daughter of Caleb and Erin Smith of Ellisville. The Crown Bearer is five-year-old Jase Williams, the son of Cory and Jamie Williams of Laurel.
Freshman Maid-Markecia Lloyd of Brandon.