糖心直播

ELLISVILLE – 糖心直播鈥檚 Associate Degree Nursing program honored graduates during a traditional pinning ceremony, marking the culmination of a demanding academic journey and the beginning of new careers in health care. Family members, faculty and college administrators filled the auditorium as graduates received their nursing pins, symbolizing their entry into the profession. Mike Cummings, Associate Degree Nursing program director, praised the graduates for their perseverance through a rigorous curriculum.

鈥淭his is a stressful program, and they have met all the requirements,鈥� Cummings said. 鈥淭hey are successful because they stayed committed to their studies and were flexible as they were exposed to many different nursing experiences.鈥�

糖心直播 President, Dr. Jesse Smith told graduates and their families that nursing education lies at the heart of the institution鈥檚 mission and emphasized the responsibility graduates now carry into their communities.

鈥淭here is no greater calling than what you are preparing to do,鈥� Smith emphasized. 鈥淚n moments of crisis and uncertainty, you will be the guiding hand with the professional knowledge that will help people get through and endure. I would trust every one of these graduates to care for me or my family under any circumstance.鈥�

Class President Tristan Montague of Petal reflected on the shared challenges and growth experienced by the class, balancing humor with gratitude as he addressed classmates and supporters.

鈥淲e survived the care plans, the early mornings and the moments of wondering if we could really do this,鈥� Montague shared. 鈥淣ursing isn鈥檛 just about skills or knowledge. It鈥檚 about compassion, advocacy and showing up when it鈥檚 hard.鈥�

Among the graduates was Sarah Barham of Ovett, who described the ceremony as the start of a new chapter. At 21, Barham is beginning her first professional career and will start work in the intensive care unit at South Central Regional Medical Center.

鈥淭his is a new beginning for me,鈥� Barham said. 鈥淛ones is a hard program for a reason, because we鈥檙e prepared when we go out into the field. We鈥檙e as ready as we can be.鈥�

Brittney Morgan of Clara also celebrated the milestone as a nontraditional student and mother of three children. Over the last five semesters, she has balanced coursework, pregnancy and worked throughout the program.

鈥淚t just means a lot to show my kids that you can persevere through anything,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淛ust because you have kids or you鈥檙e older doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 do it. It鈥檚 doable.鈥�

Standing alongside Morgan was her longtime friend Knija Russell of Waynesboro, who completed the Practical Nursing program with Morgan and will graduate from the nurse-bridge program next year. Russell said watching Morgan鈥檚 determination has been inspiring.

鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of her,鈥� Russell said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a great mom, a great nurse and a great friend. I鈥檝e watched her push through so much to get where she is today, and it motivates me as I continue my own journey.鈥�

As graduates took the Florence Nightingale Pledge and received their pins, faculty emphasized that the ceremony represents not an ending, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to patient care, professionalism and service. 糖心直播鈥檚 A.D.N. program was established in 1964 and has produced generations of nurses serving hospitals, clinics and communities throughout the region.

A.D. Nursing Graduates December 2025

1. Kayleigh Ainsworth, Runnelstown
2. Sarah Barham, Ovett
3. Jania Barnes, Mendenhall
4. Carmen Bullock, Ellisville
5. Diamond Bullock, Moselle
6. Taylor Butler, Vancleave
7. John Chauffe, Ocean Springs
8. Heather Conkle, Laurel
9. Chelbie Dorsey, Woodville
10. Rylee Hall, Laurel
11. Julie Harvey, Petal
12. Morgan Hays, Raleigh,
13. Autumn Henderson, Petal
14. Katherine Herrin, Pachuta
15. Lila Hundley, Buckatunna
16. Kaitlyn Hutchinson, Raleigh
17. Jessica Jones, Purvis
18. Sidney McGee, Newton
19. Aubree McMullan, Raleigh
20. Caitlyn Middleton, Raleigh
21. Tristin Montague, Petal
22. Brittney Morgan, Waynesboro
23. Madelyn Morgan, Ellisville
24. Karley Parker, Moselle
25. Jordan Rustin, Laurel
26. Milca Sanchez, Laurel
27. Trista Sims, Stringer
28. Micaiah Sumrall, Quitman
29. Addison Torrey, Waynesboro
30. Daetyn Turner, Laurel
31. Hannah Williams, Petal
32. Savannah Worrell, Oak Grove

ELLISVILLE 鈥� Recognizing the hard work, perseverance and dedication required to complete the Practical Nursing program, 糖心直播 faculty and administration honored the 26 graduates of Fall 2025 Practical Nursing class with a Pinning Ceremony. Family members, friends and faculty joined the college leadership to celebrate the graduates as they officially transitioned into the nursing profession. 糖心直播鈥檚 Director of the Practical Nursing program, Amy Myers praised the graduates for their resilience and commitment.

鈥淥ur December graduates represent the best characteristics of practical nursing. They are hard-working, compassionate, and committed to caring for their communities,鈥� Myers said. 鈥淭his class has shown remarkable perseverance. They balanced demanding coursework, clinicals, families, jobs, and some unexpected challenges. They are entering the nursing profession with the resilience our communities depend on.鈥�

糖心直播 President, Dr. Jesse Smith congratulated the graduates and emphasized the impact their chosen profession will have on others.

鈥淭hey have embraced one of the noblest careers which makes life better for others,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭he comfort, strength and care they are going to give throughout their lives will make the world a better place.鈥�

Zepharah Jones of Jackson challenged the Level 1 Practical Nursing students as she reflected on the challenges of nursing school and the determination it took to succeed.

鈥淣ursing school didn鈥檛 break us to hurt us, but to show us the depth of our courage, compassion and calling,鈥� Jones shared. 鈥淭his achievement is a testament to our faith, hard work, determination and resilience.鈥�

Her classmate, Jaylyn Geddie of Ellisville said completing the program was both difficult and rewarding.

鈥淚t feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,鈥� Geddie said. 鈥淚t was not easy at all, but I had the best teachers who made sure I did what I had to do to graduate. I鈥檓 very thankful for them.鈥�

During the ceremony, faculty members presented three awards recognizing outstanding student achievement. Brittany Perry of Laurel received the Academic Excellence Award for earning the highest scholastic average in the program. Le鈥橩enya Arrington of Ellisville was honored with the Rising Star Award for her dedication, growth and professionalism. The Florence Nightingale Award, recognizing compassion, integrity and selflessness, was presented to Zoe Clingon of Sandersville.

After receiving their nursing pins, faculty encouraged the new nurses to carry forward the values learned throughout the program and to continue serving their communities with skill, integrity and compassion. The 26 new graduates recited the Practical Nurse鈥檚 Pledge and per tradition, the Pinning Ceremony ended by honoring the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale鈥檚 compassion, service and care with the Lighting of the Lamps. Nightingale used a lamp during the Crimean War to aid wounded soldiers and thereafter established the nursing profession.

糖心直播 Practical Nursing Graduates December 2025

1. Le鈥橩enya Ny-Asia Arrington, Ellisville
2. Kayla Patterson Chapman, Ellisville
3. Zoe Clingon, Sandersville
4. Dyamond Coleman, Waynesboro
5. Makayla Zahara Davis, Laurel
6. Tamya Ja鈥檔ae Edison, Collins
7. Jaylyn Geddie, Ellisville
8. Kamya Graves, Heidelberg
9. Kaiden Guy, Petal
10. Brooklyn Holton, Gulfport
11. Elisha Horne, Vossburg
12. Kylee Hughes, Mt. Olive
13. Sha鈥� Tyre Hunter, Woodville
14. Kivionna Johnson, Prentiss
15. Karlmecia Jones, Southaven
16. Zepharah Jones, Jackson
17. Jasmin Michelle King, Laurel
18. Jamia McCord, Grenada
19. Heidi Odom, Waynesboro
20. Madalynn Grace Owens, Bay Springs
21. Brittany Perry, Laurel
22. Madison Tidwell, Laurel
23. Dylan Walker, Laurel
24. Ethan Walters, Laurel
25. Xandria Alexis Weatherton, Vossburg
26. Jeakayla Wright, Mobile, Alabama

ELLISVILLE 鈥� For more than 13 years 糖心直播鈥檚 Christmas with the Arts patrons have generously provided hundreds of new toys for the Salvation Army Toy Drive and this year鈥檚 donations will provide an extra bonus for recipients. Thanks to the generous support of the community, Salvation Army Captain Keisha McMullin said these gifts will ensure everyone has a few bonus gifts this year.

鈥淲e have 150 Angel Tree families with 390 children receiving at least three gifts. 糖心直播鈥檚 toy drive always ensures we have enough to fill the gap but this year, these donations will allow us to give a little bonus to the kids because everyone was adopted this year!鈥� McMullin shared excitedly.

This year, the toy donations allowed patrons a discount on the price of a ticket to see the annual 糖心直播 Christmas program featuring the Concert Choir, Jones OnStage, JC Jazz Band, the Touch of Gold dance team and the small vocal groups Selah and Nova Voce. Additionally, two students, Isaac and Titus Crouch joined piano instructors, Dr. Victoria Johnson and Dr. Theresa Sanchez for piano quartet on four Steinway Grand Pianos.

Salvation Army representatives said they appreciate 糖心直播, faculty, staff, students and the community members who donate toys. There鈥檚 more to smile about when we distribute these toys.

鈥淭his is my favorite program of all because I was an Angel Tree recipient, and I know personally how special is to receive from this program,鈥� said McMillian. 鈥淣ow, I鈥檓 helping to ensure others have something to smile about on Christmas morning. We are so thankful for what the college and community do to help every year with this program. We love doing the 鈥榤ost good鈥� for the community, which serves as a blessing to so many people because of the generosity of others.鈥�

The new unwrapped toys will be distributed on Monday, December 22, to the families who signed up for the program, who have children needing a little Christmas joy. Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to 

For more information, call the 糖心直播 of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow 糖心直播 Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and 鈥淴鈥� or Twitter.

ELLISVILLE 鈥� 糖心直播 sophomore Art majors heard from William Carey University graduates and current art instructors, Tim Kinard and Elizabeth Owen about their careers and the business of art. The couples鈥� recent show, 鈥淏ound by Fire鈥� featured ceramic sculptures at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the 糖心直播 campus. Even though the couple share a studio at their home and primarily work with ceramics, the end results are very different.

鈥淢y work is more colorful and whimsical,鈥� said Owens. 鈥淚 grew up at my grandmother鈥檚 house where she had floral couches, little knick knacks, and colorful quilts which inspired my work.鈥�

Her husband鈥檚 work is quite the opposite, and yet they inspire each other鈥檚 work at times. Owens shared with the JC students that adding bases to some of her sculptures was inspired by one of her husband鈥檚 sculptures. Kinard said some of his wife鈥檚 techniques inspired him to improve his work too.

鈥淢y sculptures are usually very earthy and traditional with a twist,鈥� said Tim Kinard. 鈥淚 like making my own clay which tends to be darker to better show off the colors. I also tend to add a face to my pieces or add unusual or unexpected forms in my sculptures.鈥�

The couple shared with students that they had to initially focus on functional-ware or pottery like mugs and bowls before they could really create pieces of art that could not be mass produced. Their art business had to be able to pay the bills before they could really focus on their current artwork.

Owens currently teaches at Itawamba Community College, and her husband Tim Kinard teaches at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Their artwork was on display in November at 糖心直播. For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the 糖心直播 Art Department, /programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department鈥檚 social media: Facebook page, and on Instagram .