Jones College’s practical nurse graduates are âfamilyâ
ELLISVILLE âGraduates of Jones Collegeâs practical nursing program often feel like family after spending a year in classes and clinicals together and sharing life events. However, recent practical nursing graduate, Anna Grace Mills of Ellisville not only took classes with her mother, but her sister is also a graduate of the same program.
âI remember watching my sister Lakyn Perry graduate from the practical nursing program last summer. Thatâs when I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps and I knew Jones was one of the best nursing programs in the state,â said Mills.
Perryâs graduation not only inspired Mills to apply for the practical nursing program but it also challenged their 47-year-old mother, Sarita Mills.
âI remember sitting in the audience beaming about my daughters and then realized a challenge was in front of me,â said Sarita who always wanted to be a nurse. For six years, the former Jones College employee watched nursing students pass by her desk daily and was now ready to accept her wisdom.
âI always told my daughters to never give up on their dreams and that itâs never too late.ĚýWhen I saw them going for their dreams, I was encouraged to take my own advice,â said Sarita.
Anna Grace began classes last August as her mother applied for the next class beginning in January. As a result, mom and daughter ended up in a couple of classes together.
âIt was really special,â said Sarita. âOur relationship has grown tremendously through our time together with late-night studying, riding to classes and clinicals together and supporting each other through the tough times. I never thought I would be going to class with my daughter!â
Together, along with the class of 31 graduates, mom and daughter studied, cried, and pushed each other towards their goals. Watching her mother step out and pursue her dreams was inspiring to Anna Grace.
âTo see my mom at her age reaching for her dreams and striving to be the best version of herself is truly humbling.ĚýMy time with my mom at Jones has come to an end but I canât wait to see her walk across the stage and light the lamp,â said the new practical nurse graduate.
At the commencement ceremony, Practical Nursing Director, Teresa McDonaldâs graduation challenge encouraged students to continue their education. Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith noted the nursing profession is not easy and students are successful with a good support system of family and friends.
âIf it was easy, weâd all be nurses,â said Smith. âLife is hard. Learning to be a nurse, a caregiver is very difficult because there is so much you must learn for your profession.ĚýFriends and family, thank you for supporting them because you played a big part in their success.â
Andreaona McLaurin of Petal received her practical nursing pin from program director, Teresa McDonald with instructor Jill Burge, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith and Career & Technical Dean, Rod Tolbert.
Anna Grace will be counting on that support system again as she continues in the associate degree nursing program at Jones. She hopes to join the nursing ranks of the family including her sister Lakeyn Perry, her cousin Harleigh Mills, who is currently in the nursing program and her cousin, Abby Williams who is also attending classes at Jones.
Acknowledging their success and the support of many, three graduates were honored for the special gifts that were revealed during the programâs year of classes and clinical experiences. Kelsey Watts of New
Braunfels, Texas earned the Academic Excellence Award for her continuous dedication and exceptional growth.ĚýThe Rising Star Award was given to Laurelâs Dalton Byrd for his positive attitude and perseverance which has enriched his professionalism and nursing knowledge. Jill Smith of Laurel earned the 
Florence Nightingale Award for professionalism, integrity and selflessness for humanity, all qualities the founder of nursing possessed and were implemented into the nursing profession.
For more information about Jones Collegeâs County Center in Waynesboroâs part-time, day program and the Ellisville campusâ part-time night program, contact Teresa McDonald on the JC campus in Ellisville at 601-477-4102 or email at teresa.mcdonald@jcjc.edu. The application deadline for Januaryâs full-time program is October 1st.
ĚýJones College Practical Nursing GraduatesĚýJuly 31, 2019
Kristen Agee, Bay Springs
Skylar Ainsworth, Ellisville
Koeisha Arrington, Laurel
Sarah Beasley, Laurel
Emily Busby, Soso
Dalton Byrd, Laurel
Hollie Clark, Ellisville
Leah Cooper, Petal
Jerrika Davis, Waynesboro
Anna Draughn, Runnelstown
Alexus FloydĚý Hattiesburg
Brittany Fowler, Vossburg
Jana Graham, Stringer
Tajma Hall, Braxton
Lillian Hosey, Laurel
Lakeisha Johnson, Hattiesburg
Kristin Jones, Taylorsville
Colby Mason, Lucedale
Raven McCormick, Ellisville
Eartha McGowan, Petal
Tyriona McGrew, Waynesboro
Andreona McLaurin, Petal
Anna Mills, Ellisville
Shannon Nicholson, Taylorsville
Alexis Richardson, Cleveland
Ashley Smith, Monticello
Beverly Smith, Laurel
Allie Stogner, Petal
Courtney Tatum, Mount Olive
Rosella Taylor, Ludlow Scott County
Kelsey Watts, New Braunfels, TX
Cathrynn Williams, Laurel
Jones Collegeâs High School Equivalency grads challenged to pursue dreams
ELLISVILLE â About 50 of the 106 eligible graduates of Jones Collegeâs High School Equivalency program who participated in the commencement ceremony, were challenged to continue pursuing their dreams. Before students were handed diplomas, Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith emphasized this is just the beginning of many successful steps in their lives.
âI appreciate the grit you have to see you come into this moment, facing doubts and sometimes setbacks. Today is about victory and it is just one step of many. Look forward toward the future. Today is just one step in many toward your overall success. Believe in what you do, how you do it and believe that you have the mind that can grow,â said Smith.
Determination and support groups allowed each of the three keynote speakers, Brooke Donald, Cody Robertson and Thomas Johnson to achieve their goals and more. They shared their struggles and encouraged graduates to challenge themselves like HVAC/R instructor, Thomas Johnsonâs mother questioned him after each success in his career.
Johnson told the new graduates, âAfter I graduated from Jonesâ HSE program at the age of 40, my mom asked me, âAre you where you want to be?â I soon realized I wasnât because there was more for me to do so I went back to school,â said Johnson who started college after working in heating/AC for 24 years.
After earning his associate degree in applied science in the HVAC/R program, an associate degree in the electrical technology program and upon completing the commercial truck driving program, his mother continued asking the question. Despite 10 surgeries from a back injury and graduating from four educational programs, Johnson said he knew he couldnât stop. He shared with the audience, he was the only sibling of five that graduated from college and his mother saw him walk across the stage before she passed away.
âIt was a long shot, but I applied for the HVAC/R instructor job at 91ÁÔĆć. I was making good money in Florida working on an air conditioner on the roof of a commercial building when I got the call. It was Jones asking if I was still interested in the job. I said âYes!â Jones College has changed my life and I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to give back as it was given to me,â shared Johnson who has been teaching for the last three years.
Brooke Donald is also a graduate of Jonesâ HSE program and an instructor. Regardless of the fact sheâs working on her bachelorâs degree in nursing and for four years she has been the health care assistant instructor, Donald shared she didnât see herself as a college student, let alone a college instructor. At 17, she thought she had messed up by dropping out of school and being pregnant. Seven years later, after working to help her husband support their family, Donald decided to go back to school.Ěý
âWe didnât have online classes in 2009 but I was determined to work full time and get my degree,â said Donald who later earned an associate of arts degree in 2010 and became an LPN. She also earned her associate degree in nursing. âLife is not free. It is not easy. We had to work hard for everything we have so my encouragement to you is to not give up, whatever it is, do not give up!â
HSE graduates also heard from Cody Robertson, an electro-mechanical technology instructor at Jones who said his High School Equivalency diploma is his most treasured item.Ěý At nine years of age, Robertson was diagnosed with the youth onset of pancreatitis. He spent most of the next few years in hospitals and was behind in school. There was little hope of ever having a ânormalâ life, let alone a high school diploma before God restored his life.
âI was 16 when God gave me the gift of lifeâŚ. In the hospital, I had watched my 
friends on Facebook at prom and graduation and I didnât get to do that. I wanted so badly to let my parents see how hard I worked but I didnât get to. I was lucky to have people around me that cared so I came to Jones to get my high school equivalency,â said Robertson. âThat paper diploma is not sitting in a closet collecting dust. It is sitting on the mantle of my fatherâs fireplace with its due value to show everyone in that room. Iâm proud of that document because it is a token of survival for me.Ěý I attained victory that day.â
A scholarship was awarded to the top-scoring students in each of Jones College eight-county district. Also, the Jones College Foundation awarded the 
overall top-scoring student with an additional scholarship to Jones. Because of a tie, Greene Countyâs Gavin Stowers and Perry Countyâs Rose Smith each earned a $250 scholarship in addition to their individual countyâs scholarship. Other scholarship recipients include Clarke Countyâs Lona Short; Jamien Flowers of Covington County; Harley McCarter of Jasper County; Caleb Saucier of Jones County; Ethan Menzik of Smith County and Malinda Johnson of Wayne County.
“In elementary school in Wayne County, my mom took us out of school because we were bullied,â said Malinda Johnson. âHowever, in January, I completed the HSE program and earned college credit. I was ahead of my classmates. I had faith and lots of people prayed for us.â
Her mother, Rayar homeschooled Malinda and her sister, Maria, before they began HSE classes at Jones. As the family gathered before the graduation ceremony, Rayar was overwhelmed.
âIâm crying today because Iâm relieved, they finished and Iâm happy to see theyâre being successful,â said Rayar Johnson.
Maria hopes to start the cosmetology program at Jones this fall while Malinda 
is uncertain about her career. Both sisters are excited to continue their college education at Jones.
âA lot of people doubted I could make it and graduate. Today, I showed them I accomplished a lot and Iâm not finished,â said Maria.
For more information about JCâs Adult Basic Education programs including the High School Equivalency program and the Out of School Youth Grant, contact Gwen Matuszewski at 601-477-4164 or email gwen.matuszewski@jcjc.edu
Jones College 2019ĚýHigh School Equivalency Graduates
Alabama, Millry: Gina Bennett.
Louisiana Baton Rouge: Brennen Bourgeois.
Clarke Shubuta: Lona Short.
Clarke Stonewall: Ora Rose White
Covington Collins: Jamien Jaied Flowers and Madelyn Elise Howell.
Covington Seminary: Savannah Gabrielle Graham, Susan M Odom and Autumn Danielle Miller.
Covington Mount Olive: Haskel W Sellers.
Forrest Hattiesburg: Huey Griffin Buckhalter, Destany Joe Fugate, Bradley Allen Hobson and Logan MikellĚýOlson.
Forrest Camp Shelby: Aaron Jaque Altman.
Forrest Petal: Maggie Cooper and Erin Shelby Smith.
George Lucedale: Jordan Grimes, Aaron McKissick, Morgan Radavich, Journey Alexis L. Shoemaker, Julia Sanford, Makalyn Stedman and Veronica White.
Greene Leakesville: Shelby Ball, Dale Cady, Amanda Dearman, Colby Dueitt, Taylor Gartman, Justis Gibson,ĚýAdam Grant, Martin McLeod, Tonya Passarelli, Coby Rushing, Gavin Stowers and Desiree Tamez.
Greene State Line:Terrance Jones.
Jasper Heidelberg: Hunter Cole Jefferson, Mason Stepp Roberts and Melissa Jolaine Thomas.
Jasper Louin: Harley McCarter.
Jasper Stringer: Ethan Jackson.
Jeff Davis Bassfield: Latoya C Green.
Jones Ellisville: Kaitlin Wina Adams, Chloe Anna-Grace Bell, Baileigh Dougherty, Chance Nathaniel Harris,ĚýDraton Zachary Jackson, Bryan Chase Mackrell, Devin Lamar Odom, Joshua Caleb Saucier, Donavan O’Neil Walters, Lauren Kay Walters.
Jones Laurel: SkylaĚýĚý Alexander, Michelle Beard Braxton, Kirk Bolivar, Brendan James Boliver, Beverly Lynn Burrow, CearaĚýĚý Dannielle Channell, Reyna Cruz, SamanthaĚý Renee Genthe, Tayden Jones, Mallory Lewis, Jakob Anthony Martinez, Angie Marcela Minyard, Samuel Thomas Mitchell, William Anthony Mitchell, Laura Ann Robinson, Lewis Jacob Schwan, Kaitlin Danielle Strickland, Sara Melissa Swinney, Lauren Grace Thompson, Aaron Dale Williams and Daniel McPherson Yarnell.
Jones Ovett: Heather Nicole Knight
Jones Moselle: Dayton Orion Davis, Destiny Morgan, Lindsey Nicole Patterson, Jerrad Ratliff, Desirae Zamora.
Jones Sandersville: Heather DawnĚýĚý Bliss, Kelsa Elizabeth Myrick and Austin Colby Reeves.
Jones Soso: Maggie Byrd, Dyce Warren Holifield, Emily Faith Smith.
Lamar Purvis: Haley Danielle McCray and Mackenzie Leigh Williams.
Lincoln Bogue Chitto: Austin Adam Thompson.
Marion Foxworth: Abigail Rose Strite.
Perry Beaumont: CourtneyĚý Patrice Beech.
Perry McLain: Nathern Henderson.
Perry Richton: Isa Belle Arrington, Zachary Hall Clinton and Rose Smith.
Rankin Brandon: Icylan Barnes.
Simpson Magee: Amber Alexis Westbrook.
SmithĚý Taylorsville: Alex Mackenzie Davenport and Ethan Matthew Menzik.
SmithĚý Mize: Isabella Maria Magee.
Walthall Tylertown:ĚýRachel A Vicknair.
Wayne Waynesboro: Christian Danielle Whisenhunt.
Wayne Buckatunna: Malinda Johnson and Maria Johnson.
Wayne Waynesboro: Hunter Albert and Jacyln Busby.
High Scores Scholarship
Lona Short – Clarke
Jamien Flowers – Covington
Gavin Stowers – Greene
Harley McCarter – Jasper
Joshua Saucier – Jones
Rose Smith – Perry
Ethan Menzik – Smith
Malinda Johnson – Wayne
Foundation Scholarships
Gavin Stowers – Greene
Rose Smith – Perry
Jones College hosts MS Inter-Alumni Association Conference
ELLISVILLE â Alumni and Foundation representatives from the stateâs 15 community colleges gathered on the campus of Jones College for the annual Mississippi Inter-Alumni Association Conference. The group toured historic 
downtown Laurel before delving into topics of concern for the collegeâs alumni and foundation offices. Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith shared some of the President Associationâs legislative agenda for the upcoming year including the financial health of the stateâs community colleges and how the alumni and foundation associations can help. A list of recommendations was shared with the group after analyzing a socioeconomic report of the nationâs oldest community college system.
âYour college needs you more now, in what I would call a tumultuous time in higher education.Ěý Everything that was up is now down and whoever comes out on the other side is going to be the winners in the future. Itâs imperative we build upon our alumni support if weâre going to make these changes,â said Smith.
Alumni and Foundation representatives also heard from William Carey Universityâs Director of Alumni Relations, Pam Shearer and Magnolia Bankâs Foundation Investments representative, Will Johnson. Jones Collegeâs Digital Media Coordinator, Megan Clark shared social media statistics and tips on how to use the communication medium effectively in her presentation.
Jones College hosts DCIâs Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps
ELLISVILLE âĚýThe World-Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps, the Blue Stars spent a couple of days at 91ÁÔĆć to prepare for a competition in Hattiesburg.Ěý The La Crosse, Wisconsin based group is touring the nation in preparation for an opportunity to compete and to show off the talents of about one-hundred, mostly college-aged musicians. The group travels more than 12,000 miles to perform in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and New York, before ending their summer in Indiana.
The JC band leadership and band directors had the opportunity to see the Blue Stars practice. Director of Bands at JC, Dr. Ben Burge said, âWatching DCI groups perform is amazing but to also have the opportunity to see how these world-class musicians prepare for a physically demanding show is inspiring for my students.â
In the marching band world, this group is in the âMajor Leagues.â The Blue Stars is one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International will be competing with seven other groups at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.
Jones Collegeâs newspaper wins national honor
ELLISVILLE â Every journalist dreams of having their story being picked up by the Associated Press Newswire. Ironically, some journalism students at 91ÁÔĆć discovered the national press-wire featured their newspaper, the Radionian after it earned a national award.Ěý The collegeâs student newspaper advisor, Kelly Atwood said sheâs very proud of her students for accomplishing what seemed to be an impossible honor to attain, especially since this was the first year to enter the newspaper in the national competition.
âWe’ve attended the conference for a couple of years to make contacts, tour companies and bring back ideas, but this year I decided to enter our newspaper in their competition. It was a pleasant surprise to find out we won, and now I honestly wish I’d been entering since we began attending. I have some talented students who deserve recognition. It takes all the staff members and editors working as a team to accomplish something like this. I’m very proud of them,â said Atwood.
Only part of the team of budding journalists attended the Spring National College Media Convention in New York. They had departed for Mississippi when they learned they won the David L. Adams Apple Award.
âIt was the first time we entered this national competition and I didnât expect to win!â said Atwood. âWe didnât stay for the awards ceremony so we could catch an early flight home.â
The Jones newspaper was entered in the best of show contest for two-year colleges which competed against institutions like the Spokane Falls Community College which earned second place and third place winner, Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. A total of 150 two-year colleges and universities were present for the New York conference and awards, such as California State University, Columbia University, Georgia State University, Manchester Community College, Miami Dade College, Missouri Western State University, Mt. San Antonio College, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Pepperdine University, Rutgers University and Westchester Community College.Ěý The convention offered more than 250 sessions, special events and activities for students and advisors in print, online and broadcast. Also offered were tours to places such as Bloomberg, Democracy Now, Good Morning America, Fox News, Sirius XM, Vice and Yahoo Finance.
âAttending this conference is an incredible learning experience for students. Being in New York is a unique opportunity to tour places like magazine headquarters for âMarie Claireâ and Oprah Winfreyâs magazine, âOâ which are part of Hearst Magazines, as well as news agencies. The students were given the chance to ask magazine editors from different departments, questions about the company which publishes 25 U.S. magazines and 300 international publications. Hearst Magazines is also part of Hearst Communications, which is located in the Hearst Tower in Midtown, Manhattan. Not only were students impressed by the publications, but they were also awestruck by the building itself. The wallpaper was made of linen and the art on the walls were from museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art,â said Atwood.
At the state level, the student news publication has won twelve, consecutive 
years as the top two-year college newspaper. The Radionian received 27 total awards and the first place General Excellence Award for two-year colleges at the O. C. McDavid Journalism Conference and the 2018-2019 Better Newspaper Contest, Student Division, of the Mississippi Press Association. Jones students earned eight, first-place awards. The Radionian also swept several categories, winning first, second and third place for General News Story, Feature Photo, General Interest Column, and in the Investigative Package categories.