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JCJC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accepting applications

ELLISVILLE – Jones County Junior College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is now accepting applications for the fall 2011 semester.  The application deadline is April 22nd.

JCJC

The program at Jones is designed to train a sonographer to work in the general sonography setting and to proficiently perform each task.  Students will be exposed to the examination of abdominal organs, pediatric studies, obstetrics and gynecology, and the endocrine system.  JCJC’s DMS students are exposed to vascular sonography at clinical sites.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography curriculum is a one year program where students receive approximately forty (40) hours of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical experience to prepare students for employment and advancement in the sonography field.  Didactic and laboratory instruction is offered at Jones County Junior College.  Clinical participation and scheduled rotations are offered at the clinical sites in Laurel, Hattiesburg, Waynesboro, Meridian, and Magee.

Admission requirements for the program include: prospective students must be accepted to or eligible for enrollment at Jones County Junior College; have a minimum composite score of 17 on the American College Test (ACT); have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5; have a Bachelor’s of Science degree from an accredited institution in any field OR be a Registered Radiologic Technologist (A.R.R.T.) and in good standing with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or be registry-eligible with the ARRT; OR have completed any two year medical program that includes clinical rotations  AND must complete the Diagnostic Medical Sonography application package; must have completed Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and college algebra.

Graduates of this program will have the skills necessary for employment as sonographers under the direct supervision of a physician.  Students will be prepared to work in any sonographic setting and will be trained in all areas of general sonography. Upon completion of the program students will be eligible for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography exam to become registered sonographers

For more information or to request an application packet call, 601-477-4289, or e-mail sonography instructor Wanda Finch at wanda.finch@jcjc.edu or visit the website at: http://www.jcjc.edu/programs/medicalsonography/index.php.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, education, Ellisville, Jones County Junior College, Medicine

JCJC Black History speaker encourages students to avoid being a statistic

ELLISVILLE – Regardless of your background, family or status, Jones County Junior College’s keynote speaker, Jeremy Graham explained anyone can succeed with a commitment to work.  Graham, a Hinds County Community College graduate and New Orleans native, shared his tragic life story of overcoming numerous obstacles at JCJC’s annual Black History program entitled, “When There is Hope”.

Hinds Community College student, Joshua Boyce (left) came to JCJC to hear his mentor, Jeremy Graham, the keynote speaker at JCJC’s Black History Celebration, speak about his struggles toward success.

“We had a happy family everything was peaches and cream, then one day my dad decided he was going to beat on my mother.  They weren’t seeing on the same terms….and then he didn’t want to come home anymore.  That played a negative role in my life because I went downhill after my parents separated,” Graham told the audience of mostly students.

That experience in middle school eventually led to his expulsion, joining a gang, becoming a drug dealer and dropping out of school by the time he was 17 years old.

“I told my mom I’m wasting my time because I missed about 60 days of school,” Jeremy explained.  “There’s no hope for me so I’m going to drop out.”

Graham admitted to the audience that he wasn’t thinking about his future.  He said dropping out led to running the streets and then Hurricane Katrina devastated his hometown.

“I decided to come back and make some money helping the cleanup effort.  But instead of doing it the right way I took that hard earned money I was making and I got back into drugs and gangs….I had an opportunity to be free from it then but I didn’t take it,” said Graham.

His younger brother Jared wasn’t as fortunate.  Graham explained his 16 year-old brother shot a rival drug dealer eight times in front of their home.  He’s now serving a life sentence in Angola penitentiary on second degree murder charges.

“I want to tell ya’ll when you see a real murder happen right in front of you, it’s not like a video game,” Graham shared. “They cry, scream, they’re in pain and agony gasping for their last breathe.  The guy died in a ditch in front of the house.”

Graham said he also agonized over losing his brother to the penal system.  “I felt like it was my fault because I wasn’t being the leader like I should have.”

A Jackson minister, who offered some advice and guidance, changed Jeremy’s life.  While living in Jackson post-Katrina, police were enforcing a curfew Graham didn’t want to obey.  The minister witnessed the incident outside his house and warned Graham to be quiet. Graham was later arrested for disrespecting an officer and three other misdemeanors.

“I just kept saying nobody’s going to take me to jail.  Before I knew it, I was in jail for 90 days.”

Graham told his peers, all he needed was one person to show him a different lifestyle.  Finally, one person showed him how hard work and an education could be the key to Graham’s success.  He admitted however, to failing his first attempt at college because he said he was trying to study girls.   With no other option, Graham took a job as a window washer making considerably less money than dealing drugs.  Those humbling experiences, he said gave him another shot at life.

“I met a lot of people who helped me and encouraged me.  I started working for the English Department and they couldn’t believe I was the same person because I cut my dreadlocks, put on nice slacks and a button-up shirt…I was going to dress where I was going.  I wanted to be successful,” a confident Graham boasted.

The reformed gang member and drug dealer improved his 1.5 GPA to 3.0 in three semesters, with a ninth grade education. Graduating just last December as a member of the international business honor society, Alpha Beta Gamma, Graham received a scholarship covering most of his tuition at Mississippi College.

“I want to encourage people there is hope and there is hope for each of us.  To say there is not hope for anybody is like throwing that person away.  There were too many people who threw me away,” said Graham.

Several JCJC students identified with Graham’s academic struggles, like Stephany Pickering of Raleigh.  “He’s been through a lot and it’s amazing how he’s changed his life.  I want to be a business woman and he’s inspired me to work harder and make sure I become the business woman I want to be.  He’s doing great and I expect to do the same!”

With Graham as a mentor, HCCC sophomore, Joshua Boyce said he is overcoming obstacles in his path to success. “Graham’s an inspiration because he could have easily started pointing the finger at others and blamed them for his failures but he didn’t use that excuse.  He chose the hard way, putting his problems behind him to climb to the top.  That’s what makes him unique.”

Knowing how one person can affect another, Graham challenged the audience asking, “What are you going to do when you leave this place to beat the statistics of teen pregnancy, STD’s, jail, and being a homicide victim?  I will not be a statistic because that’s ordinary.  Be extraordinary.  Go over and above and don’t be a victim of statistics.”

The JCJC Multi-Cultural Student Organization sponsored event included musical selections from Laurel High School’s Gospel Choir and the JCJC Voices vocal ensemble.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, education, JCJC Multi-Cultural Student Organization, Jeremy Graham, Jones County Junior College

Log Truck & Pickup Collide on I-59 in Jones County | Two injured, transported to hospital

A collision between an eighteen wheeler log truck and Toyota pickup truck has sent the adult male driver and adult male occupant of the pickup truck to the hospital.

The accident occurred on Interstate 59 North near the 100 mile marker on Wednesday afternoon.

Sandersville Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, two ambulances from EMServ Ambulance Service along with units from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Gilliland responded to the scene.

The victims were transported by EMServ to South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel for treatment of undisclosed injuries which were not thought to be life threatening.

Filed under: Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, Jones County Fire Coordinator, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, laurel, South Central Regional Medical Center

Pine Belt Fire Coordinators Issue Outdoor Burning Warning Dry, windy conditions fueling grass, brush and woods fires

Fire Coordinators from Covington, Forrest, Jeff Davis, Jones, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties are warning local residents in each county about the dangers of outdoor burning.  Over the past week,

volunteer fire departments in these seven Pine Belt counties have responded to dozens of out of control grass, brush and woods fires with several of the fires threatening structures.  “Our volunteer

fire departments have been very busy responding to grass, brush and woods fires with some fairly large acreage fires reported in the Pine Belt,” notes Lamar County Fire Coordinator George Stevens.

Adds Wayne County Fire Coordinator Doug Hutto, “The past several weeks have been extremely cold with numerous heavy frosts which has dried out the already dead vegetation.  Combine the dry

vegetation with moderate to strong winds and you have perfect conditions for rapid fire spread.”

Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown notes, “We are urging the public to be very careful if conducting any outdoor burning activities and refrain from outdoor burning if possible until

we have had some rainfall in the area.  When a volunteer fire department is out on a preventable wildland fire, they are unavailable to respond to potentially more serious calls such as vehicle

accidents and structure fires.”  Should a controlled fire get out of control, residents are urged to call 911 to report the fire and take steps to protect life and property.  Keep a water hose or

appropriate fire suppression equipment handy and be sure not to conduct outdoor burning activities when windy conditions are present.  “We’ve been very fortunate that no one has been injured

in some of these fast moving fires,” notes Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna.  He adds, “It just takes a moment for a small fire to get out of control and become a monster fire.  We just

want local residents to pay close attention to this fire warning and take steps to prevent damage to their homes and property and that of their neighbors – it’s a serious situation right now.”

Filed under: Covington County, Forrest County, Jones County, Lamar County, Marion County, burn, Dan McKenna, Disaster/Accident, Doug Hutto, fire, George Stevens, Wildfire

JCJC’s Theater Department presents: Little Shop of Horrors

ELLISVILLE – The Jones County Junior College theater department has been taken over by a unique plant, featured in this year’s show, “The Little Shop of Horrors”.  Audrey the plant will be looking for something other than plant food during the show’s three performances on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, February 20 at 2:30 p.m. in the JCJC Fine Arts Auditorium.  Tickets are $5 and JCJC students can see the play free with their JCJC I.D.

JCJC sophomore from Yazoo City, John Wright plays Seymour, who talks to his new found plant which is apparently responsible for his new found fame and fortune in the musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”.

The musical centers around Seymour Krelbourn who is a poor young man working at a run-down flower shop on skid row. After discovering an alien plant following a total eclipse of the sun, Seymour’s life changes drastically.  He brings the plant to Mr. Mushnik’s store, and gains fame, fortune, and love. The only problem is that the plant feeds on human blood. Seymour and the plant make a deal which can only benefit one of them!

This year’s spring musical is a familiar favorite for JCJC alumna and musical theater producer and director, Nikki Johnson. As a JCJC student in 1996, Johnson discovered her passion for theater as the character, Ronette in “Little Shop of Horrors,” which was her first musical performance.

“The cast members and I had way too much fun and I was hooked after that!” said Johnson.  “I couldn’t wait to produce this show as a faculty member at JCJC.  Fortunately we had just the right students to fill the roles for the spring show.  It has really been a special year for me.”

The cast of characters include sophomore, John Wright of Yazoo City playing the lead role of Seymour and newcomer to the stage, sophomore Wynn Brewer of Leakesville has taken on the ditzy character of Audrey.

“She is nothing like me,” said Brewer.   “She has low self confidence, is very vulnerable and not modest.  I have really had to study this character!”

Audrey played by Wynn Brewer of Leakesville (right) turns down plans shy Seymour, played by JCJC sophomore, John Wright, has for a date.

Playing Seymour was also a challenge for Wright who is a musical veteran.  Last year in JCJC’s musical “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown”, Wright played everyone’s favorite beagle, Snoopy.   This year’s role took a little research too, said Wright.

“Seymour is a shy, meek little guy which is very unlike me,” said Wright. “This has been my favorite musical I have ever done. It has been the most challenging and most exciting. I cannot wait to share our hard work with everyone!”

Two people will be playing the role of Audrey the plant.  Miles Alexander of Long Beach is the puppeteer and Dr. Mike Lopinto who works for the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music and is a special event manager, is the voice of the plant.  He is also “The Voice of the Pride” at the University of Southern Mississippi, and television commercials. Lopinto’s theatrical credits range from directing and choreographing to designing and acting with favorite roles including Cats (Old Deuteronomy), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), Carousel (Mr. Snow), West Side Story (Doc, swing), Hello, Dolly! (Stanley), Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma!, Camelot, Paint Your Wagon, Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, The Music Man, Into the Woods, Bye Bye Birdie (music director), Barnum and Ragtime.

Starring as Seymour’s boss and adopted father, Mr. Mushnik is played by Hattiesburg’s Wesley Slade.  Matt Strickland of Petal plays the twisted dentist and Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin.  The two street-wise girls, Chiffon and Ronette are played by LaDonna Anderson of Vicksburg and Laurel’s Mary Laura Boyett.  Julia Donald of Quitman plays Crystal and Cameron Donovan of Madison is playing two parts, Bernstein and Martin.  Kayla Sims of Petal is Snip and Erin Davies of Raleigh plays Luce.  Rounding out the cast is Wesley Barnett of Laurel and Joshua Crosby of Moselle as two winos. Crosby is also cast as a customer along with Claire Lightsey of Petal.

Stage managers are Sarah-Jane Thaxton of Laurel and Khloe Folkers of Ocean Springs. Stage crew consists of Phillip Azbik from Homewood, Alabama, Kurt Davis of Pearl, Meagan Skaggs of Petal, Arnurcy Turner of Petal and Zadrian Cooley of Laurel.  For more information call the JCJC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4094.

Filed under: Arts, Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Entertainment/Culture, JCJC Fine Arts Department, Jones County Junior College, Little Shop of Horrors, Theatre

JCJC is offering welding classes in Covington County

ELLISVILLE – Jones County Junior College’s Workforce Development is offering a Welding class at the Covington County Vo-Tech center in Collins.  The class begins on Tuesday, February, 22, 2011 through June 28, 2011 and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Filed under: Covington County, Ellisville, Jones, Jones County, Covington County Vo-Tech center, Ellisville, Jones County Junior College

Florida Boys Fundraising Concert in Laurel

LAUREL – The Florida Boys, an award-winning Southern Gospel quartet will present a fundraisng concert for the Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 25.

The concert, which is free to the public, will be held at West Laurel Baptist Church, 1400 W. 5th St. Local pianist Andrew Ishee is slated to emcee the program, as well as provide entertainment. Another local favorite, Houston Road Boys, are also scheduled to perform.

The Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council is an organization that seeks to combat illiteracy in Jones County and surrounding areas. Statistics show that there are a number of people who cannot read at all or who are reading at a very low level. There are others who can read a little, but cannot read well enough to fill out a job application.

Proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase reading material and other supplies. Businesses, churches and other organizations are asked to make donations that will be used to aid the work of the council, as well as cover concert expenses.

Tickets are available at Bancorp South in Ellisville, Wells Pharmacy in Laurel, Jones County Baptist Association, West Laurel Baptist Church, Life Church and Pine Belt Education Center.

For additional information, phone the Pine Belt Education Center at 601-649-4141.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Lifestyle, Schools, Ellisville, First Citizens Bancorporation Inc., Jones County, Jones County Baptist Association, Life Church, Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council, Pine Belt Education Center, Wells Pharmacy

JCJC searching for the ‘Love Stories of Jones’

ELLISVILLE – It seems as though Cupid has lived at Jones County Junior College since the institution opened its doors nearly a century ago. As the Alumni and Foundation Office prepares for the Centennial Celebrations in the fall, one recurring theme keeps surfacing: a lot of people met their spouse while at Jones.

“Our president, Dr. Jesse and Jennifer Smith are perfect examples! They met and fell in love at Jones and later married,” said VP for Advancement, Caroline Ramagos. “Our planning committee thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for the many who found love at JCJC, to have a special event called, ‘Love Stories of Jones’ as part of our Centennial Celebration for February 2012,”

Through the campus alumni newsletter, Bobcat Bulletin, a request has been made for alumni to submit their love stories to the JCJC Alumni Office’s email, jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu. However, to ensure the invitation is extended to as many people as possible, the search has gone public.

“We have about 4,500 people who receive our electronic newsletter but we also know there are some alumni and friends who haven’t signed up to be on the mailing list,” said Ramagos. “They can find the newsletter and sign up on our mailing list, on our web page, www.jcjc.edu/alumni under e-newsletter.”

Many JCJC students seem to have been bitten by the “Love Bug”. A couple who recently fell in love while at Jones, made the news. Anna Tossy, a 2009 biology graduate from Beaumont and TJ Butler, a 2010 marketing management grad from Collins, were recently featured in WDAM-TV’s series, “Unique First Dates,” by Colleen Donovan.

“We received hundreds of letters from people all over the Pine Belt but Anna’s letter about her great boyfriend TJ and how their dating relationship started on their class trip to Spain was really unique,” said Donovan. “This relationship begins with a first date in a foreign country, a romantic place, and Anna said this experience was really dear to them both.”

The two first met at Top of Class 2007 which is an event for valedictorians and salutatorians, sponsored by WDAM-TV and hosted at JCJC. Tossy and Butler also signed up to be a part of the first class of the newly formed Charles Pickering Honors Institute. As students in the Honors College, they shared many of the same classes and were offered the opportunity to travel abroad.

“Going to Spain is not something I would have ever done on my own without the help of the college,” said Butler. “I will always treasure those 12 days because I got to know Anna even more.”

Tossy shared it was not love at first sight for her.

“I was the shy, proper girl who did her homework, who didn’t talk in class and TJ always sat by me in class,” said Tossy. “One time when he was poking me, I turned around and threatened to stab him with my pencil because I had had enough of him bugging me!”

That encounter was the beginning of something that blossomed into a romance lasting three years, so far.

“He really spoiled me in Spain….That trip was something between the two of us that we can relate to and was special that we’ve done,” Anna said.

In addition to the search for love stories, the Alumni Office is also trying to identify all alumni; whether they were part of sports, music, or student government.

“We hope a lot of alumni will return to campus to help us celebrate this significant time in Jones’s history,” said Ramagos.

There will be several celebrations on campus that will include a variety of alumni and friends who participated in different groups and organizations while they attended JCJC over the years. A complete list of activities will be released over the summer. For more information call or email the office at 601-477-4145 or jcjcalumniinfo@jcjc.edu.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Colleen Donovan, Ellisville, Jennifer Smith, Jesse Smith, Jones County Junior College, TJ Butler, WDAM-TV

Accident Injures Two, Extrication Required in Jones County

Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue was dispatched at 8:14 p.m. on Sunday to a report of a two vehicle accident with injuries on Brown Drive in the Powers Community.

Photo: Kelsi Chancellor, Junior Firefighter, Powers Volunteer Fire & Rescue

Powers Rescue 1, Powers Heavy Rescue, M&M Medical First Responders and Glade Rescue 1 responded to the scene.  Upon arrival, firefighters advised that a Pontiac G6 and a Dodge Ram pickup had collided with the adult male driver of the Pontiac trapped in his vehicle and a female passenger in the pickup injured.

The driver of the pickup was extricated from the destroyed vehicle by Powers firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools and both he and the passenger in the pickup transported by EMServ Ambulance Service to South Central Regional Medical Center for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

The Jones County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the crash scene which closed Brown Drive for over an hour.   A third passenger vehicle which was parked in front of a house was involved in the accident as well.

The adult male driver of the pickup and a male child were evaluated at the scene but declined transport to the hospital.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Disaster/Accident, EMServ Ambulance Service, Glade, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, powers, South Central Regional Medical Center, Traffic collision

JCJC Job Fair 2011

ELLISVILLE – Despite the uncertain job market, employers are looking for employees, according to Jones County Junior College’s Work-Based Learning program coordinators. Cheryl McQueen and Beverly Tynes also coordinate JCJC’s annual Job Fair 2011, which will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

Employers and employees in the Pine Belt can reserve a booth to discuss possible full and part-time employmentopportunities, take resumes, meet with interested applicants and conduct interviews at the annual event, which is held from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the P.E. Building.   For those looking for employment, Job Fair 2011 is a free opportunity to meet about 80 prospective employers.  To reserve a booth for your business, or for more information, call (601) 477-4234.

Job Fair 2011 is co-sponsored by Jones County Junior College, Work-Based Learning/Co-op, Tech-Prep, Blakeney Communications, Clear Channel Communications, South Central Regional Medical Center, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, WDAM-TV and Comcast Cable.

Filed under: Business, Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS INC, Comcast Corporation, Employment, Job fair, Jones County Junior College, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, South Central Regional Medical Center, WDAM-TV