ELLISVILLE – Two Jones College students earned individual honors through the International Honor Society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa. Sophomore History major, Hope Houston of Laurel was selected to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Mississippi Academic First Team. Child Development and Family Sciences major from Oak Grove, Baleigh Patton was selected for Second Team honors.
“Hope is an incredibly focused and thoughtful student. She has personal and professional interests that span from health care to history, and being named to the MS All-Academic team is a true testament to her intellectual curiosity and work ethic,” said PTK Advisor and Dean of Science and Technology, Eric Shows. “Baleigh is the most uplifting PTK officer in my recent memory. I always look forward to working with her because of her compassion, her humor, and her approach to life. Her selection to the MS All-Academic Team is a wonderful recognition of her commitment to personal and professional success that will benefit our community.”
As a Jones College student, Houston has been actively volunteering in her community in various ways. She is a dedicated volunteer for the Laurel Veteran’s Memorial Museum and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. She has been selected to the Leadership Academy for the National WWII Museum, and she has been invited to do an internship for Documentary First, with the Normandy Academy through the National WWII Museum for the last two summers. Additionally, the Laurel native has been a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Jones College Concert Choir, JC Voices, and a photographer for the yearbook. She was selected as a member of the Hall of Fame, and she has served as the Phi Theta Kappa VP of Scholarship. Houston’s future plans include double majoring in history and business management at the University of Southern Mississippi.
“I am incredibly thankful and humbled by this honor. Academics have always been extremely hard for me. I have dyslexia and bad vision which is not a good combination when it comes to learning!” shared Houston. “I’ve always had to work twice as hard to understand concepts. The Lord has taught me to rely on Him for all my strength, and I have learned the value of hard work.”
Twenty-year-old Baleigh Patton has helped her community in numerous ways, including as a Governance Board Member of I.M.A.G.E. for Teens, she volunteers for Hope’s Collective Food Pantry and she volunteers for Life Church’s Children’s department and Media Team. At JC, she served as the Phi Theta Kappa VP of Service, has sung in the choir and has been a member of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute. She plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Southern Mississippi before pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Research. Her goal is to research and find ways to fight illiteracy in America.
“As a non-traditional and working student, I felt disconnected from my peers, and in a way, PTK filled that disconnect. To be acknowledged by an organization that gave me a sense of purpose, connection to my campus, leadership experience and lifelong relationships leaves me without words to express my fullest gratitude,” said Patton.
Both students were additionally honored as members of the Distinguished Officer Team from Phi Theta Kappa at both the Regional and International Conferences. For the All-Mississippi Academic Team, Houston and Patton competed with more than 1,800 nominations from each of the 15-community colleges in Mississippi. As part of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s annual academic and workforce competition, each student submitted an essay, answered discussion questions, and described their leadership roles and activities while in college.
The highest scoring nominees from each of the 15 two-year colleges earned First Team All-Mississippi honors and $500 scholarships provided by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges. All team members received special medallions, certificates, and printed resolutions from the Mississippi Legislature.
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Jones County Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Jones County Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 3033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Statement of Non-Discrimination and ADA Statement: Jones County Junior College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its programs, activities, or employment practices. The (ADA/ Section 504) ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-2673, and (Title IX) Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127, have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policies. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.