ELLISVILLE – Returning to the Jones College campus in Ellisville this fall has been super exciting for many students. Sophomores, Emily Davis of Laurel, and Caroline Whittington of Sumrall are especially thrilled about the opportunity to have a class together for the first time.
“We’re suitemates, living on campus and we’re really excited about going to Comp 1 this morning,” said Davis who is majoring in Elementary Education. Whittington, a communications major, explained. “This is the first class we have together and we’re super happy about it.”
Also returning to campus was Maloree Walters of Seminary, however this is the first time the sophomore is able to walk to classes instead of driving from her home. Never-the-less, the nineteen-year-old Walters knew arranging the traditional first day of class photo tradition may be more challenging.
“When my mom reminded me to take a selfie for my first day of school picture before I go to class, I asked her, ‘Can you come give me a hug and take the picture?’ My mom is my best friend and it means a lot to her, well both of us.”
After taking a few pictures with Maloree posed in front of Anderson Hall before heading off to class, Mrs. Walters wiped some tears, hugged her daughter and sent her off to begin her sophomore year of college.
“She’s my baby, and only daughter,” explained Danielle Walters, who is a 1997 JC graduate and owns The Haven hair salon in Ellisville. “I have always taken pictures of my kids on their first day of school. My 23-year-old son is taking Electromechanical Technology classes on campus and graduates this year, and I have a 26-year-old son too. They are all near and dear to my heart.”
Not wasting any time to make new friends in a new environment, 20-year-old Jacarrio “Rio” Anderson of Macon became friends with a classmate he just met, JC freshmen, Zay Owen and his girlfriend Kemya Wesley of Waynesboro. As they escorted Wesley to her nursing class, Anderson said he wanted to get more experience in the Commercial Construction Technology program at JC even though he just earned his Associate’s degree at another college close to home.
“My cousin and I own a construction company, Bankhead and Sons, and I do some side work on my own. I want to fine tune my skills here because I’ll learn a little of everything. One day, I hope to build houses on site,” said Anderson.
There are a few new courses for anyone still wanting to enroll, like the new, face-to-face course, Drugs and Society which is part of the Criminal Justice program and the Farm and Ranch Management program. Registration continues for traditional classes through Friday, August 22. Online courses begin on Monday, August 25, with registration continuing through August 29. For more information about Jones College, click on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/.
