ELLISVILLE – In the Jones College Winterguard’s second year of existence, they are beginning the season on solid footing by winning “Bronze” or third place at the WGI Huntsville show in the Independent “A” classification, the last weekend of February. This was the team’s first regional competition of the season, but not the first competition. The Winterguard schedule started in Brandon, before the Huntsville regional competition. They competed in Biloxi and Flowood, and are now headed to San Antonio, Texas, before the season culminates in Jackson, for the state championships.
“This is a moment of immense pride and accomplishment for our program and this achievement in Huntsville becomes even more significant as we stood closely behind two WGI Independent “A” class finalists, demonstrating the caliber of competition we faced as well marking our first national level achievement in this classification. Competing alongside such accomplished groups has been an inspiring experience, and our team’s ability to rise to the occasion is a testament to their hard work and commitment,” said Jones College Winterguard Director, Meredith Owen.
The program is entitled, “The Way it Was,” and features 17 Jones College students utilizing flags and other props. The team consist of, Campbrelle Bryant, Laurel; Ceilia Burkett, Florence; Paige Farve, Laurel; Arielle Grimaldo, Ellisville; Martha Hernandez, Ellisville; Alisha Hudson, Laurel; Jaynia Keyes, Hattiesburg; Gabi Lopez, Ridgeland; Kaylee McWilliams, Magee; Kaylee Moss, Ellisville; Charlee Norman, Ellisville; Adamaris Rivera, Laurel; Gynesis Rivers, Newton; Olivia Roberts, Ellisville; Layken Valentine, Ellisville; Emily Wicker, Magee and Braden Yarber, Ellisville. This team of freshmen and sophomore members competed against teams from Atlanta and Clarksville, Tennessee.
“We are so proud of these students!” said Jones College Director of Bands, Dr. Ben Burge. “They have represented Jones College on the national stage and earned Bronze in a tough line up. I am excited to see how they end up at the San Antonio show and in State Championships.”
As with each competition, team members will build upon the lessons learned from this competition to help fuel their determination to refine skills, enhance creativity, and strengthen their collaborative spirit. Owen said their program has demonstrated its potential, and she is confident that they are well-positioned for continued growth and success moving into the final two weeks of the competitive season.
“We will be traveling over spring break (March 11-15) to compete at WGI San Antonio before returning home to compete in the Mississippi Indoor Association Championships in Jackson, on March 24,” said Owen. “This group has been such troopers! We have overcome many obstacles from facility issues to even worse. They are overcomers and I am proud to be their coach.”
Members of the Jones College Winterguard
Campbrelle Bryant, Laurel
Ceilia Burkett, Florence
Paige Farve, Laurel
Arielle Grimaldo, Ellisville
Martha Hernandez, Ellisville
Alisha Hudson, Laurel
Jaynia Keyes, Hattiesburg
Gabi Lopez, Ridgeland
Kaylee McWilliams, Magee
Kaylee Moss, Ellisville
Charlee Norman, Ellisville
Adamaris Rivera, Laurel
Gynesis Rivers, Newton
Olivia Roberts, Ellisville
Layken Valentine, Ellisville
Emily Wicker, Magee
Braden Yarber, Ellisville