糖心直播

ELLISVILLE 鈥� While working on research on the Mississippi State Flag this fall with a retired geography professor from the University of Kentucky, 糖心直播 geography and history instructor, Caleb Smith stumbled upon a prize-winning photo opportunity. Driving to work, he passed by the Jones County Courthouse in Ellisville and was inspired by the bare flagpole which had displayed the Mississippi State Flag since the courthouse was built in 1908.

鈥淲hen I drove past the courthouse in October, I realized that the way the sunlight hit the American flag made for a really good photo,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淗owever, what was more intriguing I thought, was the empty flagpole. My photo and essay depict the Ellisville Courthouse when the state did not have a state flag- a flagpole with no flag.鈥�

Realizing the historical importance of such a rare occasion, Smith decided to submit his photo and essay in the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographer鈥檚 contest prior to the November conference. Members of the association voted on their favorite nominated photos and essays on the conference website before the virtual conference. Smith would have to wait until the closing session to learn his entry won the 2020 Southeastern Geographer鈥檚 Photo Essay Contest.

鈥淭his was the first time I ever submitted a photo for a contest,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淎n empty state flagpole is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The same old state flag has flown on a pole outside that courthouse and in the offices of that building since it was built. From July until November, there was no official flag for the state, so there was no flag on that pole, which is significant because it is rare, very rare.鈥�

The photo and a longer version of the essay will appear in one of the four, 2021 issues of the Southeastern Geographer, the academic journal that is the foremost authority on geography in the South. The process of creating a commission to propose a new state flag and the eventual public vote to support the new flag will be included in Smith鈥檚 updated essay.

鈥淚 know we walk past or drive past places like this every day, but we don’t think about the messages that these public places present. As you walk into the courthouse, you walk between these two flagpoles that feature the flags of the U.S. and the State of Mississippi. We go inside and pay taxes, pay fines, register to vote, or attend court cases in a building that has these two poles outside that fly the reminders of where we are, what laws we follow, and where our tax dollars go (The U.S. and the state). I think that鈥檚 part of the reason why the entry struck a chord with so many people,鈥� explained Smith.

ELLISVILLE 鈥� Observing CDC protocols, 41 糖心直播 Associate Degree Nursing graduates celebrated their successful completion of the five-semester program with the traditional, Nurses Pinning Ceremony in the Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Football Field. 糖心直播 President, Dr. Jesse Smith noted today鈥檚 celebration in the football stadium was an odd place for these nursing graduates, but it is also very appropriate considering their adaptable attitudes have allowed them to be successful.

鈥淚f it were easy, we鈥檇 all be nurses. You have chosen the most noble profession we can teach at Jones. We are honored you have made it through and are celebrating today. It makes me very proud that the most important thing we do at the college, you have done very well, and we thank you. We know you are going to impact so many lives,鈥� said Smith.

Completing the rigorous but rewarding nursing program was a dream come true after two years of sacrifice, dedication and perseverance for Keira James of Jackson. One of the biggest challenges for James was juggling her responsibilities at home and school.

鈥淪witching to online learning while balancing a life at home with my husband and young toddler was difficult. However, my instructors were so helpful by providing different time slots where we could join lecture conferences at our convenience because so many of us had busy home lives,鈥� said James. 鈥淎s for working amidst the pandemic, I feel a little more at ease going into a hospital setting with prior education and experience with pandemic protocols and seeing it first-hand. COVID-19 is still concerning, especially as the numbers are back on the rise, but I feel more prepared to help in this pandemic.鈥�

The COVID-19 virus changed these graduates鈥� normal course of study, and everything else, midway through the A. D. N. program. While it threw a few off-track, for Hannah Lott of Petal, it forced her to find a new way of learning.

鈥淎lthough online testing didn鈥檛 numerically affect my grades, it raised my stress level knowing that I was not able to physically write on a test anymore. We also transitioned into online lectures instead of class lectures, which took a toll on me as well as some of my classmates. However, I believe I adapted very well given the circumstances, and I think the pandemic prepared me for the future and being comfortable with the 鈥榰nknown鈥� and just learning how to quickly adjust and adapt. In the end, Jones鈥� nursing instructors and South Central Regional Medical Center provided me with the necessary tools and guidelines needed to help protect myself and others from this virus,鈥�

Being flexible is something graduate, Laura Ellerman of Hattiesburg said she learned as she navigated through the changes the COVID-19 protocols mandated. As both faculty and students worked toward accomplishing mutual goals to attain clinical experience, creative problem solving became more necessary.

鈥淗aving evening clinicals is just one example of how we had to be flexible to meet the educational and clinical requirements for this challenging program,鈥� said Ellerman. 鈥淭he JC A.D. Nursing program not only taught us these abilities, but they also put them in action with us, in real-time.聽 I will be eternally grateful to the JC COVID-19 Task Force and faculty and SCRMC for diligently and successfully creating, monitoring and maintaining environments that allowed our program to continue to thrive during these trying times.聽 It was not an easy feat to accomplish!鈥�

Associate Degree Nursing Program Director, Erin Knight, MSN, RN, acknowledged there have been many changes but these graduates have embraced the changes and thrived.聽 Nurses are well-equipped to best embrace an ever-changing environment.

鈥淭he year 2020 has been such a challenge for all of us in so many ways.聽 We are proud that these students have embraced those challenges and are now able to move out into the workforce.聽 We know they are ready to take NCLEX-RN and be at the bedside taking care of patients where they will make a difference every day and to every patient they encounter,鈥� said Knight.

At the Pinning Ceremony, five graduates were recognized by Knight for their perfect attendance and dedication. Jasmine Hamilton of McComb, Breanna Helms of Hattiesburg, Harleigh Howell of Ellisville, Madison Odom of Ellisville, and Sarah Sherman of New Hebron.

JC nurse graduates, Brianna Helms, Lori Jones of Hattiesburg, Hannah Lott of Petal, Hannah Smith of Heidelberg, Dalton Sumrall of Moselle and Kaelin Vegas of Columbia were also recognized as the newest members of the Gamma Nu chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society.

ELLISVILLE – Each year, the Rho Sigma chapter of 糖心直播鈥檚 Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society takes on a project to assist the college鈥檚 administration, as well as the campus and the surrounding community. The College Project group of PTK students, McKay Lee Bray of Leakesville; Matthew Harrison of Laurel, Caleb Harris of Jackson, Garrett Bradshaw of Raleigh and Isaac Burns of Lucedale, led by Curtis Boleware of Seminary, quickly discovered the needs were many with the arrival of the COVID-19 virus.

鈥淎fter talking with JC faculty and administrators who helped us pinpoint what would have the best impact for the most people, we first focused on the college鈥檚 pantry program which helps our students who need food or personal hygiene items. However, when the campus and community responded to our request for items, we were overwhelmed!鈥� said PTK College Project Director, Curtis Boleware.

Some of the contributions from the community began pouring in after Bobcat Pantry Coordinator, Kristen Register spoke to the Ellis Club. The club鈥檚 contribution of $500 in food and other items, along with individual donations from JC鈥檚 campus grounds crew, allowed PTK to purchase 167 cases of water and other needed items. Colonel Mark Prine, from Camp Shelby, donated 100 cases of drinks and enlisted a platoon from the Youth ChalleNGe program to disseminate the drinks. Additionally, the JC truck driving program鈥檚 students volunteered to pick up donations, and the JC horticultural department delivered some donations. Thankfully, the Baptist Student Union has provided the much-needed storage space for donations to help with future needs.

鈥淭he JC Bobcat Pantry thanked us throughout the entire process for packing the pantry. They emphasized the impact we were making would be helping students who live in their cars and the others who need a little help,鈥� said Boleware. 鈥淲e had no idea so many people were dealing with hunger on campus.鈥�

Once the need on campus was met, the PTK students sought the help of the Beta Clubs in all of the South Jones schools to fill each of their pantries. The JC students discovered the protocols implemented to limit the spread of the virus at the elementary, middle and high schools included cutting off water fountains and closing the cafeteria. About 2,600 students from three public schools, Moselle Elementary, South Jones Elementary and South Jones Middle and High School benefited from the donations.

鈥淭he public schools in the area were astonished to receive the large amount of donations we had gathered,鈥� said Boleware. 鈥淥ur PTK members really enjoyed giving back to the community and volunteering at the drop-off booths at the Baptist Student Union and in the football stadium parking lot.鈥�

PTK Advisor, Mark Brown said he is especially proud of this group of students and their determination to succeed. As they overcame each challenge, they were blessed by their efforts of those who donated.

鈥淭his group had to overcome the fact there were a lot fewer students on campus and they had to physically distance themselves and follow the sanitizing protocols. Unfortunately, the student director of the College Project, Curtis Boleware came down with the COVID-19 virus, but he still managed to take care of business.鈥�

While preparing for the Pantry Drive, JC students said they didn鈥檛 realize the enormity of the problem. However, the impact the drive has made on so many people has been astounding. Surprising the PTK College Project members the most were the reactions from the students and school officials. In fact, one JC PTK member, Lane Douglas of Pearl, was so moved by the whole experience that he donated an entire pallet of water, or 84 cases, to the College Project鈥檚 Pantry Drive.

鈥淚 have firsthand proof that one person really can make a difference, not by his own hands but by connecting those that need help with those that want to help. Leading this project has helped me grow in several aspects. I look forward to continuing our work next semester!鈥� said Boleware.

Phi Theta Kappa鈥檚 College Project team plans to expand their efforts in the spring semester by involving local churches and businesses to聽ensure that the project continues to grow until the needs in the community are met.聽Donations of toiletries, canned foods, non-perishable foods like Ramen Noodles, grits and water will be accepted shortly after the spring semester begins and students return to campus, February 1, 2021.

ELLISVILLE 鈥� 糖心直播 freshman, Emma Burge is one of 31 糖心直播 students who received a scholarship from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association鈥檚 Round Up for Education program this year. The Oak Grove High School graduate received the $500 scholarship, funded by the spare change donated by PRVEPA鈥檚 more than 51,000 members in the electric power cooperative鈥檚 12-county service area.

鈥淚 am grateful for the scholarship money from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association鈥檚 scholarship program. Most of the scholarship is used for school expenses, which is a big help to students during these hard times. My family and I really appreciate this!鈥� said Burge who is pursuing a degree in the music and entertainment industry.

Her family discovered PRVEPA鈥檚 scholarship program two years ago when Burge鈥檚 brother Max came to Jones. Emma鈥檚 father, Dr. Ben Burge said he appreciates the financial assistance. As an educator and the 糖心直播 Director of Bands, Burge knows the value and fully understands the importance scholarships can have in helping students earn a college degree.

鈥淎s a parent with two college-aged children, I sincerely appreciate the financial opportunities that this organization provides. It greatly helped my family get both students off to college,鈥� said Burge. 鈥淚 also know first-hand, as an educator, scholarships go a long way in helping students achieve their educational goals.鈥�

This year, a total of 175 community college students received a $500 scholarship because of PRVEPA鈥檚 generous members. At Pearl River Community College, 107 students received the financial assistance and 27 students from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College were eligible for the scholarship. An additional 10 students are attending four other state community colleges with PRVEPA scholarships.

鈥淭he purpose of electric cooperatives has always been to make life better in the areas they serve,鈥� said PRVEPA鈥檚 General Manager, Randy Wallace. 鈥淥ur Round Up for Education program is an example of how cooperatives can improve the lives of their members through education which is vital to improving the future for all of us in south Mississippi.鈥�

For the last eight years, the electric power cooperative鈥檚 members have been offering up their spare change to collect more than $1.6 million, which is deposited in an account overseen by the PineBelt Foundation. Ten percent of each year鈥檚 funds are set aside in an endowed fund for future use.聽 The remaining money is divided equally between the number of eligible applicants. Over the last eight years, 1,651 students have been helped from the spare change from members of PRVEPA, with a total of 319 糖心直播 students benefitting from the benevolence of PRVEPA鈥檚 members.

鈥淚 hope our members are able to see the effects this program can have, helping more than 1,600 community college students begin their college careers,鈥� said Wallace. 鈥淲e are thrilled with the results and know that members鈥� participation in the program will have a positive impact for years to come.鈥�

糖心直播 President, Dr. Jesse Smith is very grateful for PRVEPA鈥檚 desire to invest in the students living in their service area and believing in them to succeed.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very thankful for their vision and I鈥檓 very thankful their members believe in this scholarship program as well. It is obvious their support will help our state continue to grow,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淎nytime a civic club or organization invests in its people, like the PRVEPA Round Up for Education scholarship program, the whole community benefits.鈥�

Scholarships are available to members, their spouses or dependent children who are enrolled as freshmen each fall, and who participate in the Round Up for Education program. Members round up their bill to the nearest dollar each month. The Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1, go towards next year鈥檚 scholarships. Students can apply for the scholarship beginning in November of each year.

糖心直播 Students聽 Hometown 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 High School

Nyla Zarai Abram聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Foxworth聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 West Marion

Ashely Brooke Allee聽 聽 聽 聽 Purvis聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Presbyterian Christian School

Cameron Aultman聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Sumrall聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sumrall

Emma Burge聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Oak Grove聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Oak Grove

Chandler Burns聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Shaw HS

Sullivan Clark聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Sumrall聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sumrall

Hunter Scott Courtney聽 聽 Bassfield聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Columbia Academy

Bryce Crawford聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Oak Grove

Teel Garcia聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 FCAHS

Johni Graham聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Oak Grove

Justice Hanberry聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Sumrall聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sumrall

Halle Hendrix聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Purvis聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Purvis HS

Kyle Herring聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Columbia Academy

Coleman Kendrick聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Purvis聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 FCAHS

Tytan Lee聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Lumberton聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sacred Heart HS

Tyler Lowe聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Purvis聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Purvis HS

Mackenzie Mauldin聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Sumrall聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sumrall

Jaclyn聽 Mordica聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 FCAHS

William Purser聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Oak Grove

Conner Rayburn聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Purvis聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 FCAHS

Taylor聽 Ready聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sumrall

Ethan Robertson聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Kokomo聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 West Marion

Jacob Rogers 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Brooklyn聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 FCAHS

Kealy Smith聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Oak Grove

Rebecca Speights聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Silver Creek聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 GED

Abigail Swilley聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Oak Grove

Colby Thompson聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Columbia聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Columbia Academy

Laka Till聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Seminary聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Seminary

Benson Trussell聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sumrall

Hannah West聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Purvis聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Oak Grove

Nathan Whitworth聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Hattiesburg聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 FCAHS

ELLISVILLE 鈥揑saac Burns of Lucedale and Dariyel Johnson of Leakesville were recently voted as Mr. & Miss JC by their peers. The sophomores competed for the titles to represent 糖心直播 students and are considered to be the best representation of the student body.

鈥淭o put it frankly, this means the world to me. I came to Jones knowing that I wanted to make the most of it. After the time I鈥檝e spent here and the amazing connections I鈥檝e made, I can confidently say that I have done just that. JC has become a second home to me,鈥� said Johnson.

The broadcast journalism and political science major also holds the titles of Leakesville鈥檚 Miss Hospitality 2019, Greene County High School Homecoming Queen, Miss GCHS and Mississippi Beta Club State Vice President. At 糖心直播, Johnson was also selected as 2019-20 Most Beautiful, Freshman Class President and Homecoming Maid, and she is the SGA Student Body President. In addition, Johnson is a member of the Charles Pickering Honors College, the Concert Choir and the Bobcat Brigade student ambassador program. With her eyes set on being a TV reporter/anchor, Johnson plans to transfer to the University of Mississippi to earn her bachelor鈥檚 degree.

鈥淛ones gives you a university experience with the relationships that feel like you鈥檝e known everyone all of your life. There is no way that you cannot love it here. You just have to make the most of it,鈥� she said.

Mr. JC is interested in the artistic expression of journalism. In high school, Burns was the sports editor and cartoonist for, 鈥�The Student Press鈥� high school newspaper. He won the Mississippi Press Association鈥檚 Best Editorial Cartoon Award in 2017. Also, in high school, Burns was a member of the tennis team, the choir鈥檚 piano accompanist and he graduated in the Top 20 of his class. Burns is majoring in accounting at 糖心直播 while sharing his many talents in several clubs and organizations on campus. As a freshman, he was a Leadership Officer in Bobcat Brigade and he was a member of Jones OnStage show choir. This year, Burns is a Senator representing the Business Department in the Student Government Association. He also serves as the Public Relations Director for Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society鈥檚 Rho Sigma chapter at Jones.

鈥淚 am extremely grateful and honored that the student body has chosen me as an ambassador for the college. 糖心直播 is an amazing place to be partly because the students and faculty are very friendly. My goal has always been to make people feel welcomed and loved which I hope has been accomplished,鈥� said Burns.

The future plans for the George county native include graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Arts for filmmaking with the ultimate career goal of creating the visual effects in the film industry.