糖心直播 students inducted into Sigma Kappa Delta Honor Society
ELLISVILLE 鈥� Fifteen 糖心直播 students were recently inducted into the National English Honor Society for two-year college students, Sigma Kappa Delta (SKD) with 11 students participating in the ceremony. Earning a certificate of membership and an honor cord to wear at graduation were, Sakinah Abdul-Shakir, Fuquay-Varina, NC-Elementary Education; Autumn Brock, Petal-Chemical Engineering; (President) Aidan Chisolm, Mize-Mechanical Engineering; (Secretary) Emily Daigle, Seminary-English; Chrishon Ellis, Panola-Agriculture; Dallas Flowers, Ellisville-English; Cameron Forrester, Petal-Biological Science; Laura Gatzman, Laurel-Creative Writing; Mia Huff, Laurel-Biology; Kianna Hunter, Hattiesburg-Early Childhood Education; Lillian Johnson, Petal-Emergency Medical Services; Tavarious Keyes, Bay Springs-General Studies; Kamari Mark, Picayune-Kinesiology; (V. P.) Edna Perez Ambrocio, Morton-Elementary Education and Karli Youngberg, Ellisville-Associates Degree Nursing.
糖心直播 advisor for SKD, Amanda Robertston said only two of these students are English majors and one student is majoring in creative writing. The majority of students are majoring in subjects ranging from biology to kinesiology. However, the English honor society is for students who love reading, writing and literature. What unites them is not their major, Robertson explained, but their shared commitment to exploring what it means to be human.
鈥淪igma Kappa Delta recognizes high achievement in English language and literature and promotes academic excellence in undergraduate studies, fostering engagement with literature, language, and writing. The mission of Sigma Kappa Delta is to recognize and reward outstanding achievement in English language and literature, fostering literacy, and encouraging lifelong learning,鈥� said Robertson who is also an English instructor at 糖心直播. 鈥淭hese students have opportunities for scholarships and academic recognition, among other benefits.鈥�
The requirements for induction in the honor society include completing a minimum of one college course in English language or literature, at least one semester of college coursework, a minimum 3.5 GPA in English and 3.0 in other courses. For more information contact the advisor for SKD, Amanda Robertson via email at: amanda.robertson@jcjc.edu
Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society Inductees March 2026
- Sakinah Abdul-Shakir, Fuquay-Varina, NC Elementary Education
- Autumn Brock, Petal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聽聽聽聽聽聽 Chemical Engineering 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
- President-Aidan Chisolm, Mize聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Mechanical Engineering
- Secretary-Emily Daigle, Seminary聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 English聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
- Chrishon Ellis, Panola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聽聽聽聽 Agriculture聽聽聽聽
- Dallas Flowers, Ellisville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 English聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
- Cameron Forrester, Petal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 Biological Science聽聽聽聽聽
- Laura Gatzman, Laurel聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Creative Writing聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
- Mia Huff, Laurel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聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽 Biology
- Kianna Hunter, Hattiesburg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 Early Childhood Education 聽聽
- Lillian Johnson, Petal聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Emergency Medical Services
- Tavarious Keyes, Bay Springs聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 General Studies 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
- Kamari Mark, Picayune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聽聽 Kinesiology聽聽聽
- V. P.-Edna Perez Ambrocio, Morton Elementary Education
- Karli Youngberg, Ellisville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 Associate Degree Nursing聽
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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 following persons have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policies: (ADA/ Section 504) Sarah Jones, Director of Counseling & ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-4070; email聽ADACoordinator@jcjc.edu聽and (Title IX) Dr. Brittany Barron, Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127; email聽brittany.weatherford@jcjc.edu. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.
糖心直播 FBLA students head to national competition
ELLISVILLE- Twelve of the thirteen 糖心直播 students that competed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State competition in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, came home winners. They all placed first or second in their competitive events, qualifying them for national competition in June, in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the three-day conference, each student competed in two business-related events. The events ranged from Fundamentals of Accounting and Economics to Foundations of Technology and Public Speaking.
鈥淭welve of the students will be going to the three-day national conference and competition in Las Vegas,鈥� said 糖心直播鈥檚 FBLA Advisor, David Ray. 鈥淭hese students worked very hard and we are excited to see what they can do at the national level in three months.鈥�
Emma Cash of Soso placed first in Foundations of Accounting. Elisa Cook of Meridian earned second place honors in Business Law, third place in Foundations of Marketing, and partnered with Aiden Chisolm of Mize to聽place first in the State of Chapter event,聽which showcases Jones FBLA clubs鈥� accomplishments for the year.聽Aiden also placed second in Emerging Business Issues and third in Job Interview. Pachuta鈥檚 Jalen Dixon placed first in Foundations of Finance and James Ellis of Hattiesburg placed second in Foundations of Digital Design. Taking first place in CyberSecurity and Foundations of Technology was Tanner Guthrie of Raleigh. Additionally, Jalyn Hair of Petal took first place in Foundations of Communications. Also competing in Communications was Maggie Smith of Laurel who took second place. Waynesboro鈥檚 Bushown Lewis placed first in Customer Service and fourth in Public Speaking. Placing first and second in Foundations of Computer Science respectively were Connor Perkins of Petal and Tanika Norsworthy of Waynesboro. Emily Ponce of Morton received first place in Public Speaking and Retail Management. Rounding out the awards from 糖心直播 students was Nyaisha Rhymes of Monticello who placed fourth in Foundations of Management.
糖心直播鈥檚 music department hosts Spring Recital Series
ELLISVILLE 鈥� 糖心直播鈥檚 music department will be hosting the annual Spring Recital Series in April. This year鈥檚 Spring Recital Series features a musical 鈥渇east鈥� in the Foote Chapel on the Ellisville campus of 糖心直播 at 12:45 p.m. With local musicians who have performed globally, music lovers will be treated to three unique opportunities to enjoy during the short performances on April 2, 9, and 16. The annual Spring Recital Series of concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203 or online at
On Thursday, April 2, at 12:45 p.m. in theFoote Chapel, the Series opens with, 鈥淔rom Longing to Light鈥� with mezzo soprano Dr. Katrina Cox and pianist Dr. Christina Mathis. From 鈥淟onging to Light鈥� traces a musical journey from introspection and yearning toward hope, clarity, and peace. Featuring repertoire in multiple languages, the program brings together works by composers such as Donaudy, Wolf, and Dvo艡谩k, whose music explores the inner life with nuance and emotional depth. Across styles and eras, the recital reflects on how longing, personal, cultural, and spiritual, shapes the human experience.
Laurel native, Dr. Katrina Cox recently made her directing debut at Laurel Little Theatre with the musical The Color Purple. From that musical鈥檚 success, Dr. Cox earned the Key to the City of Laurel for her accomplishment of reviving the theatre scene and diversifying its audience. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Music at William Carey University, where she teaches voice-related studies, musical theatre, and directs the longest-standing ensemble at the Winters School of Music, Carpenter鈥檚 Wood.
Her piano accompanist, Dr. Christina Mathis is a collaborative pianist and educator known for her expressive artistry, refined ensemble sensitivity, and warm, intuitive musical presence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Judson College, a Master of Arts in Music Education from Liberty University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano from The University of Southern Mississippi.
糖心直播 is pleased to host flutist Dr. Danilo Mezzadri, and pianist Dr. Brian Murphy on Thursday, April 9, in the Foote Chapel at 12:45 p.m. The program, 鈥淭radition and Transformation-American Flute Music鈥� will feature the musical selections, Canzone by Samuel Barber and Sonata No. 2 by Samuel Zyman. Although both are modern compositions, they reflect the enduring lyricism characteristic of American concert music.
Danilo Mezzadri is an ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor at The University of Southern Mississippi. He serves as artistic director of the International Flute Workshop and the Southern Flute Festival. Featured as a soloist with more than fifty ensembles worldwide, his playing has been praised for its 鈥済lowing, golden tone,鈥� 鈥渧ivid musicality鈥� (Fanfarre Magazine), and 鈥渆nviable dexterity鈥� (British Flute Society), with performances described as 鈥済orgeous鈥� (Detroit Free Press). He is Principal Flute of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and the New Carolina Sinfonia. An active chamber musician, he performs with the Plurisons Ensemble, Mocking Bird Ensemble, and Southern Highs Trio. A prizewinner in multiple international competitions, Dr. Mezzadri is also the creator of the Spider Log interleaved practice system, which has helped many young musicians achieve technical and artistic mastery.
His piano accompanist, Brian Murphy, is active as a soloist, collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and pedagogue. He has performed as a soloist and collaborative pianist and presented masterclasses across the United States, Mexico, Chile, Germany, and Italy. Murphy is a faculty member at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, where he teaches applied piano, piano-related courses, music history, and collaborates with singers, instrumentalists, choral ensembles, and Carey Opera. In recognition of his teaching, Brian has been awarded numerous Top Music Teacher awards by Steinway and Sons.
Concluding the Spring Recital Series on Thursday, April 16, at 12:45 p.m. in the Foote Chapel will be the group, Seven19, for the program, 鈥淣ew Directions for Trombone and Guitar.鈥� Award-winning trombonist Dr. Ben McIlwain and internationally performing guitarist, Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo, form Seven19. The mission of Seven19 is to champion music – new and old – for trombone and guitar. Genres from pop/rock/metal to classical/modern, Seven19 endeavors to expand the musical horizon of this duo combination. Acoustic and electric guitar plus acoustic and electric trombone equal a new and exciting instrumental combination that up until now has been largely ignored if not avoided.
Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo has won awards at the Tredrez-Locquemau, Gaetano Zinetti, GFA, Portland, and guitar competitions. He now enjoys numerous performances across four continents, playing in such venues as the United States鈥� Jordan Hall, Germany鈥檚 Berliner Dom, and Brazil鈥檚 Teatro Jos茅 Maria Santos. Ciraldo has released three albums for solo guitar. He is a Professor of Music at.
Dr. Ben McIlwain is currently on faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi, and holds degrees from Middle Tennessee State University, Manhattan School of Music, and The Florida State University. He is an avid supporter of modern music and has commissioned and premiered over fifty works for trombone. In 2012, Dr. McIlwain鈥檚 chamber ensemble, Tromboteam, raised $10,000 through Kickstarter.com and commissioned nine new works for trombone ensemble, which have been recorded on the group鈥檚 first album, Last Lap. Dr. McIlwain has performed recently at the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, Southeast Trombone Symposium, the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, and the International Horn Symposium.
More about Dr. Katrina Cox & Dr. Christina Mathis
She began her education earning a Bachelor of Music degree at William Carey University (WCU) in vocal performance. She then earned a Master of Music degree in performance from State University of New York-Binghamton (Binghamton University) with a specialization in opera, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
During her undergraduate studies at William Carey University, Dr. Cox studied with renowned instructor, Dr. Connie Roberts, and performed extensively with the sought-after ensembles, Carpenter鈥檚 Wood and the Chorale. She won the coveted Jenkins-Chastain Award, the highest honor given to a WCU student, served as president of the fraternity, Delta Omicron, and starred in the productions The Boor (Maid) and Into the Woods (Cinderella鈥檚 Mother). At the esteemed National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition, Dr. Cox won both state and regional divisions.
At the State University of New York-Binghamton, Dr. Cox received the prestigious Clark Fellowship, where she studied with renowned soprano Mary Burgess. While in New York, she performed in multiple productions with Tri-Cities Opera and sang with ensembles such as Harpur Jazz and the Big Band Jazz Ensemble. She also participated in various masterclasses given by world-class artists such as comprimario tenor Nico Castel.
She continued her post-degree vocal studies with Marchesi specialist, Mary Lou Muratori, in Binghamton, New York, and was selected to the highly coveted Opera North Program in New Hampshire. There, she performed as Frau Fluth in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, sang in a masterclass with Metropolitan Opera singer Claudia Waite, and performed in the chorus of Turandot and Falstaff. Continuing as a professional oratorio and recital singer, she established a local jazz band, 鈥淭he New Standard,鈥� which performed throughout New York鈥檚 Southern Tier.
In 2012, Dr. Cox returned to Laurel, MS, to work for the Laurel School District as an elementary music teacher and high school choral director from 2013-2018. In 2015, she was a featured artist at the Delta Omicron International Conference in Chicago, IL.
In 2019, Katrina began her doctoral studies in vocal performance at The University of Southern Mississippi, where she studied under the tutelage of soprano Dr. Kimberley Davis. She has performed with the Southern Opera and Music Theatre as the title roles Carmen and Octavian from Der Rosenkavalier in opera scenes and Dame Doleful in the English Comic Opera, Too Many Sopranos. She has been featured as a jazz vocalist for the Partners for the Arts Gala 2019-2020 and the Mississippi Opera Fundraising Gala in 2021. Katrina has been a featured artist for the Natchez Festival of Music and Festival South. She recently appeared in WCU鈥檚 production of Suor Angelica as the Principessa and was also a featured vocalist in the Miss Hospitality Mississippi Pageant 2022-2023.
Dr. Cox made her directing debut at WCU in 2022 with Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway hit, Pippin (2022). Audiences were just as eager for her direction of the thriller, Jekyll and Hyde (2023). Dr. Cox has been honored to be the featured vocalist for William Dawson expert, Dr. Mark Malone’s lecture series on the 鈥淟ife and Works of William Dawson.鈥�
Dr. Mathis has more than twenty-five years of experience partnering with vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles, Christina is recognized for her rhythmic clarity, nuanced voicing, and ability to create a grounded, confident environment for every musician she collaborates with. Her work spans classical, contemporary, and musical theatre repertoire, and she is especially valued for her insightful rehearsal approach and her gift for musical communication.
A college piano professor and the founder of a thriving music academy, Christina blends high-level artistry with purposeful pedagogy. She is deeply committed to cultivating passion and purpose at the piano – whether mentoring young musicians, guiding teachers, or supporting performers in bringing their best to the stage.
Christina鈥檚 collaborative work reflects her core belief: music is a shared story, and the pianist鈥檚 role is to listen deeply, support fully, and elevate the artistry of the entire ensemble
糖心直播 hosts MCTM Jr. H.S. Math Competition
ELLISVILLE – 糖心直播鈥檚 Math department along with the Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics recently sponsored the district level MCTM Math Contest for Jr. High School students. Thirty-two students from eight Pine Belt area schools spent the morning working out various math problems to earn a spot in the state competition. The following winners of the regional competition will meet at the Mississippi School for Math and Science in Columbus, on April 11, to compete on a state level.
Seminary seventh grader, Fernando DePaz-Sorto took first place with West Jones鈥� Caleb Stewart earning second-place honors. Eighth-grader Sydney Russell from West Jones won first place and Andrew Albritton from West Jones achieved second place. Each of the 32 participants received a certificate from 糖心直播 and the MCTM.
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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) 聽Director of ADA Coordinator, Student Affairs, phone 601-477-4070, 聽and (Title IX) Title IX Coordinator, Hutcheson Hubbard Administration Building, phone 601-477-4127, 聽have been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding the non-discrimination policies. Jones County Junior College, 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.
Francis Lee reveals how emotions surface in art with 糖心直播 students
ELLISVILLE 鈥� During Hattiesburg author and artist Francis Lee鈥檚 鈥淎rt Talk鈥� with 糖心直播 art majors and the art community, she revealed how she visually represents her emotions on canvas. Using her works of art currently on display in the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery at 糖心直播 as examples, Lee shared how she layers quotes and colors in her designs as a way of expressing her emotions while painting.
鈥淏ecause we are very complicated people, each layer of my art represents a part of our human condition, from the inward, the soul, the emotion, into the way that we think, and then obviously outwardly how we present ourselves to the world. I felt like each piece should be telling a story of an individual person,鈥� explained Lee. 鈥淚 want you to be drawn into the piece and look and wonder what that person is feeling, and what was that person thinking and then think about, what was that person鈥檚 life and history as you come upon each painting.鈥�
Lee said she often listens to music while creating, which can influence her art. One example of layering her emotions is reflected in the mixed media artwork, 鈥淩esistance鈥� which is part of her exhibit, 鈥淔eelings: An Exploration in Texture, Memory and Figurative Abstraction,鈥� currently on display at 糖心直播 through March 12, 2026.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a piece of the music I was listening to that kind of went into my work. The idea of resistance and struggle being beautiful, was interesting to me,鈥� said Lee. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to paint flowers and beautiful things but to find the beauty in things that maybe most people wouldn鈥檛 see as beautiful, that intrigues me.鈥�
Another lesson Lee wanted students to learn from her Art Talk was the fact that while technical skills are important to creating art, without expression, there鈥檚 something missing.
鈥淭here has to be some expression in there, a piece of yourself. I feel like a piece of me goes into literally everything that I do. So, if you鈥檙e not putting yourself into the work, then what鈥檚 the point?鈥� Lee said.
Every work begins through an intuitive, non-representational process. Layers of collage and modeling paste establish the physical foundation, followed by paint, fragments of journal writing, ink, and additional collage, allowing the work to move from raw abstraction toward refined detail. This gradual buildup mirrors the way emotions and memories accumulate, shift, and reveal themselves over time.
Adding texture, like letters, numbers, and asemic writing appear throughout the surface of Lee鈥檚 art as traces of thought, memories, and internal dialogue. These marks suggest what is remembered, forgotten, hidden, or unresolved. Human figures or fragments of the body emerge like ghosts. Through the interplay of material, mark, and form, Lee explained, engages with emotional paradoxes such as joy and grief, vulnerability and resilience, presence and absence. Rather than offering fixed narratives, the work invites viewers to bring their own experiences into the encounter.
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 .