Jones County Junior College

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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

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

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

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

JCJC’s Small Business Development Center offers Financial Workshops

ELLISVILLE – Locating your financial assets and paperwork is the first step toward knowing how to and getting your finances under control.  In a crisis, Director of Education with Money Management International, Julie McAdory, explained to the group attending the first of a series of financial workshops at Jones County Junior College, “Most people don’t know where important documents are or what documents they need in a crisis, like a hurricane or an unexpected death in the family.  Having detailed information about your assets is also important on that journey to financial security.”

Today’s workshops held at the Whitehead Advanced Technology Center at JCJC, focused on setting financial goals, priorities and keeping good financial records.  The JCJC Small Business Development Center and the Mississippi Business Development Center will be offering four more workshops in March and May.  Participants may sign up for one or both of the workshops each day.

March 22, 2011 9 a.m.

Avoiding Identity Theft.  The fastest growing crime in America is identity theft.  Learn how to protect yourself and your assets from thieves who want to steal your information.  Anyone can be a victim of this crime.

10:30 a.m. Avoiding Scams and Fraud.  Statistics show that criminals scam victims out of billions of dollars every year using various types of fraudulent activities. Avoid becoming a victim yourself. Learn how to recognize the tricks of a con artist and the tell-tale warnings of a scam.

May 10, 2011 9 a.m.

Keeping Debt Under Control: Avoid detours.  When your debt is out of control, the road to your financial security may take a detour.  Learn how to identify the warning signs of a credit card crisis to avoid overwhelming debt.  If you have already been derailed by debt, find out about options available to repay creditors and bypass the debt detour.

10:30 a.m. Building Savings: Ready for the road ahead. Every financial journey has some unexpected bumps along the way.  Learn how to prepare for these bumps, and be ready with savings in an emergency cash reserve account.  In addition, learn how savings is needed for specific goals and how, with a saving state of mind, most people can find ways to reach their goals.

All of the workshops will be held at the Whitehead Advanced Technology Center in Ellisville.  Interested persons should register by calling Crystal Nail at 601-477-4235 or view all of the workshops and register online atwww.mssbdc.org/events.aspx

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Business/Finance, Ellisville, JCJC Small Business Development Center, Jones County Junior College, Julie McAdory, Money Management International, Personal finance, Whitehead Advanced Technology Center

Author and former Army Staff Sergeant to speak at JCJC

ELLISVILLE – The author of the critically acclaimed war memoir “House to House: An Epic Memoir of War”, about door-to-door close combat in Iraq, and former Army Infantry Staff Sergeant, David Bellavia will be speaking at Jones County Junior College.  He served in the First Infantry Division (Task Force 2-2) for over six years. As the guest speaker for the Charles Pickering Honors Institute, Bellavia will speak about the war in Iraq from the perspective of a soldier, who it is they fight, and the importance of defeating them, on Monday, January 31, at 10:30 a.m. in the JCJC Fine Arts Auditorium.

Bellavia will also talk about his support for the American troops, and the importance of sharing that support with the whole country. The Iraq veteran hopes to share the mission of the Vets for Freedom organization which he co-founded in 2005 as a non-partisan veteran’s advocacy group.  It is the organizations’ mission to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics in Iraq. They support policymakers from both sides of the aisle who have stood behind the great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and who have put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain.

As a result of his unit’s astounding performance in the massive November 2004 Fallujah assault, Bellavia and his platoon became the subjects of the Time magazine cover story, “Into the Hot Zone,” and were awarded the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation. His Task Force 2-2 Infantry has fought on such battlefields as Al Muqdadiyah, An Najaf, Al Fallujah, Mosul, and Baqubah. He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor by his leadership, and has been nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross. He has received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Conspicuous Service Cross (New York State’s highest combat valor award) and was the first inductee into the New York State Veteran’s Hall of Fame.

Bellavia has returned to the Iraqi battlefield many times as an embedded reporter. His reports and op-eds have appeared in The Weekly Standard, National Review, Washington Post, Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Wall Street Journal.

A frequent military analyst on news networks: Al Jazeera, BBC News, FOX and the CNN networks, Bellavia was invited to attend the President’s State of the Union address as an honored guest of the First Lady in 2006.

The Vets for Freedom has grown to become the largest organization of Afghanistan and Iraqi combat veterans in America today.  Bellavia also recently co-founded The Warrior Legacy Foundation (WLF). This Veteran’s organization exists to change the American cultures’ perception of The Warrior class by defending the dignity and honor all who have served, have been seriously wounded and those who sacrificed their lives to preserve our great nation and defend our globally coveted way of life.

David is 34 years old and lives in upstate New York with his family.

Filed under: Camp Shelby, Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, David Bellavia, House to House, Jones County Junior College

JCJC Offering I.V. Therapy Course

ELLISVILLE - Jones County Junior College is offering an I.V. Therapy course for Licensed Practical Nurses to perform the expanded role of I.V. Therapy.  The 48 hour course begins Tuesday, February 15 through March 5, 2011.

Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, education, Ellisville, Jones, Jones County Junior College

JCJC is registering students for Spring semester

ELLISVILLE–Jones County Junior College will be registering students on Wednesday, January 5 in the Academic Support Building for students who have completed all entrance requirements. Students who want to take day classes should register between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and those enrolling in night classes should sign up between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on January, 5 in the Student Success Center of the Library. Day classes begin meeting on Thursday, January 6. Evening classes begin meeting on Wednesday, January 5, 2011. The web pages, www.jcjc.edu/new2jones.php and www.jcjc.edu/informationstation/index.php can offer assistance in the admissions process and enrolling for classes.

JCJC

Prospective students who have not completed all entrance requirements should go to the Admissions and Records office in the Hutcheson-Hubbard Administration Building, Room 108.

Prospective students need to complete an application for admission which is available online at www.jcjc.edu. Students must have a final high school and /or college transcript, or a GED score. An ACT score is required for placement in classes. For more information call the Admissions and Records office at 477-4025.

Students enrolling in the MSVCC (100% online classes) or Jones hybrid online classes (75% online classes) should register in the same manner as students registering for traditional classes. General information concerning the requirements of the online classes is available through the JCJC eLEARNING web page at http://www.jcjc.edu/elearning/index.php and at specified registration terminals. Online classes begin on January 17, 2011. Initial communication from online instructors to students will be through the campus e-mail system. New students taking online classes will have their campus e-mail addresses created at the close of regular registration.

The registration fee for full time students is $30 and the registration fee is $18 for part time students. There will be a charge of $100 per semester hour for those taking less than 12 credit hours. Tuition for full-time students is $1074. All students are charged a Technology fee of $3 per hour up to $36 and a $20 health fee for free visits to the campus nurse practitioner and the campus fitness center. The online class fee is an additional $30 per MSVCC online class. Late registration will continue through January 13, 2011. For more information call 601-477-4000 or the SSC at 601-477-4149.

Day Class Registration: Wednesday, January 5, between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Academic Support Building.

Evening Class Registration: Wednesday, January 5, between 4:00 p.m. until 6 p.m. Student Success Center of the Library.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Jones County Junior College, registration, spring semester