ELLISVILLE – Seven, Jones College sophomores were named Tullos Scholars, as well as being members of the student Hall of Fame, including Roderick “Tripp” Alexander of Gulfport; Sydney Clearman of Hattiesburg; William “Cody” Daley of Prentiss; Leilani DeBar of Leakesville; Larissa Hubbard of Gulfport; Ridgeland Jones of Laurel and Adam Nix of Ellisville. These students have received the college’s highest honor for the top JC students, which includes an endowed scholarship for the recipients. All seven students were nominated by faculty members as they distinguished themselves and impressed selection committee members over the past two years.
“This honor means a lot to me because I have worked extremely hard and this accomplishment makes all the hard work worth it,” said Ridgeland Jones who has served as the Team Captain for the Men’s Tennis Team.
Additionally, Ridgeland Jones is the 2024 and 2025 Single and Men’s Doubles Tennis Champion and the 2026 MACCC Men’s Tennis Champion/and 2025 Region 23 Men’s Tennis Champion. Jones is a member of Bobcat Brigade, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He plans to continue his education at USM and major in Kinesiology and then earn his master’s degree at William Carey University to be a coach and teacher. His parents are Donna and Robin Jones of Laurel.
Tripp Alexander is majoring in exercise science and will transfer to Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama to be a pre-medicine major. He is a member of the Men’s Soccer Team where he was honored twice as an NJCAA Academic All-American, and twice he earned the MACCC Championship, in addition to being a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team. Mark and Christina Alexander are his parents.
“I came to Jones to play soccer, and JC means the world to me. It truly made me a different person and I’m so thankful for that!” said Alexander. “It means a lot that a school that poured into me so well would honor me like this!”
Sydney Clearman is an Oak Grove High School graduate who was active in cheerleading and has continued cheerleading with the Bobcats and earned a national championship in the UCA College Nationals in January. She is also involved in the Bobcat Brigade, Charles Pickering Honors Institute, and PTK. With her biological sciences degree from USM, she hopes to continue her education at UMMC Dental School. Kevin and Selena Clearman are her parents.
“This honor inspires me to continue striving for excellence in everything I do. It reminds me that success isn’t just about individual accomplishments, but about the impact you have on others and the legacy you leave behind,” said Clearman. “Jones has grown me and pushed me individually, in relationships with others, and in my relationship with Christ. Even though it wasn’t in my plan to come to Jones, it was in God’s plan, and his way is always better.”
The 2025 Prentiss Christian High School Valedictorian, William “Cody” Daley has continued making a mark for himself academically at JC. Receiving the Letter “J” Award, and being a member of PTK, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, are just a few of his accomplishments. He also maintains his business and volunteers in nursing homes. The construction management major plans to continue his education at USM. His parents are Teddy and Susan Daley.
“This award makes all of the early mornings and late nights of studying worth it. I am also reminded of how grateful I am for everyone who has encouraged and helped me along the way,” said Daley. “Being here has allowed me to build meaningful relationships with my instructors and faculty members. They know me, they care about my success, and they’ve invested time and effort into helping me grow both academically and personally. Choosing Jones is a decision I’ll always value.”
Leakesville’s Leilani DeBar is majoring in accounting with plans to become a lawyer at Mississippi State University. She has been an active member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, PTK, Student Government Association, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Non-Traditional Student Organization, while also earning the Letter “J” Award. Dennis and Kelley DeBar are Leilani’s parents.
“I’m truly grateful and motivated to keep striving for excellence. I hope to use what I have learned here to make a meaningful difference. Jones helped me develop as a student and a leader, and it’s where I’ve built relationships and experiences that will stay with me long after graduation,” said DeBar.
Just like her basketball career, Larissa Hubbard is one of the top of her class. At Harrison Central High School, she graduated 10th in her class and was on the Varsity basketball team. At Jones College, Hubbard has continued to excel academically and athletically as the Team Captain, and she has also earned a spot on the President’s List honor roll every semester and is a member of PTK. She earned NJCAA All-Academic Team and All-MACCC Academic Honors, and NJCAA All-Conference second team honors. In addition to being in class and on the court, Hubbard volunteers with young athletes and volunteers at college events. The accounting major from Gulfport plans to continue her athletic career at Lamar University and then work on the marketing team of a major league sports team. Her parents are Byron and Kristie Hubbard.
Adam Nix of Ellisville is a member of the men’s golf team, Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Homecoming Court. The physics and engineering major, plans to transfer to Mississippi State to major in chemical engineering.
Requirements for the Tullos Scholarship include being a full-time sophomore, submitting a résumé with two-faculty recommendation letters, having outstanding academic achievements, being engaged in college activities, leadership positions and participating in community service. Each student received medallions and $1,000 scholarships in recognition of being named after the scholarship donors, Gene and Nada Tullos of Smith County.