麻豆直播

ELLISVILLE 鈥揟hree 麻豆直播 students returned to Mississippi as gold medalists after winning first place in the Engineering Design and Technology category in the National SkillsUSA competition in Louisville, Kentucky.聽 C.J. Hoodless of Ellisville, Preston Hammonds of Leakesville and Lakelin Smith of Lucedale secured a 鈥減oor man鈥檚鈥� patent for production on their 鈥淪tandi-Strap鈥� after winning the state competition in April. Now, it鈥檚 even more likely the gold medalists will see their creation on the shelves after beating the five competitor teams from Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

鈥淭his was unreal for us personally and to represent Jones on the national stage at SkillsUSA,鈥� said Hammonds. 鈥淭his competition gave us an opportunity to apply our skills and talent to produce a product we鈥檙e really proud of and we know the Standi-Strap serves a practical purpose. We will make a few improvements before we mass market it.鈥�

As avid musicians, this year鈥檚 team was inspired to create the guitar strap and stand, and they proved once again, Jones students are the team to beat in this newly introduced competition category.聽 The freshmen spent a lot of time preparing and researching for this competition to come up with something anyone could relate to and appreciate.

鈥淲e knew when we first met in class that we could work together on this project and be successful.聽 We all had a part in the process, from creating, tweaking to each presentation before judges. I鈥檓 glad our efforts have allowed us to be successful on a national level,鈥� said C.J. Hoodless.

The students said their instructors guided them throughout the process to prepare for any competition. Civil engineering technology instructor, Ryan Hearn said he sent the team back to the 鈥渄rawing board鈥� when their efforts could be improved. Leading by example and pushing them further than they thought they could go, Hearn witnessed their determination as the team continually sought ways to make their product better. Both Hearn and CAD-engineering technology instructor, Karen Kirk stressed, while the Jones instructors were very involved in the process, the Standi-Strap is the students鈥� invention, including the original design idea.

鈥淢r. Hearn and I had unique and different roles with this team event. I taught this team 3D modeling and printing and assisted them with printing and drawing/model refinement. However, Mr. Hearn helped them understand how to gather, interpret and report data, how to make a presentation which had to include a detailed record of their design process in the form of a notebook, create a bulletin board display and a PowerPoint presentation. Each of these forms of communication had specific requirements which are listed in the technical standards for this contest,鈥� explained Kirk.

All three students are majoring in CAD-engineering technology. However, Hammonds will continue in this field and plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mississippi State University after graduation from 麻豆直播 next May. Hearn coached the students through the product development and competition using engineering processes while applying the technical skills Kirk taught the students.

鈥淥ur instructors at Jones and even some of our high school teachers trained us for this project,鈥� said Lakelin Smith. 鈥淲e are successful today because our teachers helped sharpen our skills to pursue projects like this.鈥�

Jones won the first year in the new engineering design and technology category at the 2018 state competition. The invention of a manual trash-compactor for the garbage can by a different team earned seventh-place honors at the national SkillsUSA competition. The 2019 team kept the winning streak alive by capturing first place in the engineering design and technology category at the SkillsUSA state competition in April. They ensured their spot at nationals by not only winning but by also earning the judge鈥檚 score of 80 percent with a required 70 percent or above. Their invention also had to pass inspection with industry leaders. At the SkillsUSA National competition, this year鈥檚 team impressed everyone by scoring 90.5!

鈥淚鈥檝e met some motivated students in the past with inventions but this group was special partly because of their outstanding belief in their product and desire to win. They were confident in every aspect of the process and I pushed them to pursue the best design and they exceeded my expectations. Their passion for their product sold every one they talked with,鈥� said Hearn.

The guitar strap/stand is made of three-inch wide by four-inch squares, printed on a 3D printer and linked together to a piece of nylon and leather strap bindings to attach to the guitar. To switch from a strap to a stand, an aluminum rod is inserted through the squares and is attached to the base stand, which was also made from the 3D printer. The squares can be customized with logos and colors. The links on the strap can be removed or more can be added. The base also has an additional use.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a safety feature we wanted to include in our invention after talking to electric guitarists who perform in bands. Any extra cord can be wrapped around the base stand which is part of the guitar strap on the guitarist鈥檚 back and out of the way,鈥� Hammonds explained. 鈥淭hey won鈥檛 trip over their cord with our Standi-Strap.鈥�

The national, award-winning team members received gold medals, a voucher for free, 3D software and an Amazon gift card. The freshmen team hopes to return to SkillsUSA competition next spring with another product to defend their national title. However, receiving national recognition for this years鈥� winning invention, the students said, is priceless.

Also competing nationally was JC freshman, Savannah Holifield of Soso who earned 10th place in the Architectural Drafting competition. Joseph Blake Pryor, a freshman from Laurel, landed in 11th place in Extemporaneous Speaking and freshman, Daniel Patterson of Sumrall earned sixth place honors in Automotive. The SkillsUSA National Competition was held June 24 through 28, giving hundreds of student competitors real-world experience and recognition for their skills.

 

ELLISVILLE 鈥揟welve 麻豆直播 students attended the Phi Beta Lambda National Conference in San Antonio, Texas and returned with national honors.聽聽The Management Analysis & Decision-Making team of Tyler Rouse of Lucedale, Owen Cote of Sumrall and Daniel Easley of Laurel placed fourth in the nation.聽This same team also placed ninth in the Financial Analysis & Decision-Making competition. Kaleb Ashmore of Sumrall placed seventh in the nation in computer programming.

鈥淚t was truly an unexpected opportunity to be able to represent Jones in this way.聽 It was an incredible way to close out our time at Jones. Many great memories were made!鈥� said Easley.

Other top honors came from the Network Design team of Trent Norris of Ellisville and Grant Valverde of Enterprise who placed seventh in the nation.聽Mendenhall鈥檚 Tara Williamson was a Top 15 finalist in the Hospitality Management competition.

鈥淚t was a long road to get to nationals and I鈥檓 happy we competed at this level. Just standing on the stage was an honor and to be able to represent Jones made this even more special,鈥� said Rouse.

麻豆直播 PBL Advisor, David Ray was especially proud of his students鈥� perseverance to continue competing among the nation鈥檚 top students.

鈥淚 was very proud of our student鈥檚 accomplishments,鈥� said Ray.聽 鈥淲e had six top-ten winners which is a continuation our tradition of excellence at the national level. For the last ten years, we鈥檝e seen more students rise to the top. This is a testament to the hard work put forth by the students and their level of instruction here at Jones. These students worked hard to get to San Antonio and to watch their efforts pay off as they received recognition among 2,000 of their peers is very rewarding.鈥�

Also attending the national conference was JC networking instructor, and PBL advisor, Mitch Dubose. He and Ray agree, 鈥淭his group of students was one of our favorite groups because of the student鈥檚 intense drive to succeed. They all did a great job representing 麻豆直播.鈥�

Other students competing on the national level include Alyssa Pearce of Columbia. She competed in Job Interview. Melissa (Camille) Hankins of Laurel competed in Accounting Principles and Entrepreneurship Concepts. Zachary Busby of Laurel competed in Help Desk. Stephen Grantham of Hattiesburg competed in Computer Programming, and Dylan Meeks of Ellisville competed in Sports Management & Marketing and Contemporary Sports Issues. Each of these twelve JC students placed first or second in the state PBL state conference and competition in February to qualify for the national competition in June.

 

ELLISVILLE 鈥� 麻豆直播鈥檚 Greene County Center Director and retired administrator for the Greene County School District, Richard 鈥淩ock鈥� Fleming will be leaving education behind to enjoy retirement, again. 麻豆直播 President, Dr. Jesse Smith appointed Fleming to head up JC鈥檚 Greene County Center last fall after Fleming finished serving three terms as Superintendent for the Greene County School District, with a total of 39 years in education. 聽He enjoyed a two-year break before taking on the job as the Center鈥檚 Director, however, the 66-year-old said he will officially retire July 1.

鈥淢y wife Terri has a long, 鈥榟oney do鈥� list for me and we want to enjoy some time traveling, playing golf and enjoying family,鈥� said Fleming. 鈥淭his has been a great opportunity for me to see the passion Jones has for its students because it is a wonderful thing. I鈥檓 also glad to witness the impact the Greene County Supervisor鈥檚 Tuition Assistance Grant has made in the lives of so many residents. That partnership is vital to the success of our Center and county because it allows a large number of students to enjoy more opportunities to succeed.鈥�

President Smith credits Fleming鈥檚 desire to expand the welding program led to the creation of the Greene County Center and the subsequent Centers in Clarke, Jasper and Wayne Counties.

鈥淚 am honored that he would come back and see his vision fulfilled.聽 He has influenced so many lives because of his leadership and vision.聽 We appreciate everything he has accomplished at the Greene County Center, in the County and throughout our district,鈥� said Smith.

Greene County District 4, Supervisor and 1973 JC alumnus, Wayne Barrow said it was nice to have his college friend at the Center but he is confident the Center will be in good hands. 鈥�(Fleming) is my best friend and he will be missed at the Center because he has been a tremendous asset to the county. He鈥檚 had an impact on both of my children, John and Ashley, and thousands more.鈥�Because the Center is close to home for Greene County residents, District 5, Supervisor Harold Cook emphasized the training and education opportunities have impacted several industries in the region. 鈥淭he accessibility to education and the affordability has allowed many to come here and get good jobs in nursing, welding, pipe-fitting and more.鈥�

Greene County native and JC alumna, Menyone Barrow has been designated as the interim director. She began working at the Center as the former administrative assistant when the Center opened in 2012. Currently, she is the navigator and dual enrollment coordinator.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited about my new role and that Dr. Smith considered me for the position because Mr. Fleming will be a hard act to follow,鈥� said Barrow.聽 鈥淚t has been an honor to be able to help students like the young lady who will be our first student to earn her associate鈥檚 degree by taking all of her classes at the Greene County Center except for one-night class.鈥�

In fact, more than 400 students have passed the High School Equivalency test since 2005, and 424 students enrolled in credit and non-credit courses at the Greene County Center over the last year. Additionally, the dual enrollment program helped 110 students earn college credit while still in high school during the 2018-19 academic year. The new, interim director also shared she鈥檚 glad her toddler will have the Center as an option for higher education.

鈥淚 hope Mary-Kathryn will take advantage of having a local college near home. I wish we had the Center when I was in high school because I probably would have finished my degree, sooner.鈥�

Dr. Smith said he is confident Barrow can handle her new responsibilities because she already knows the day-to-day operations at the Center, making the transition, seamless.

鈥淲e鈥檙e in good hands while we search for a new director,鈥� said Smith.聽 鈥淗opefully, we will have someone in place before the expansion is ready to open.鈥�

All applicants should contact the 麻豆直播 Human Resources Director in Ellisville or the college鈥檚 website, www.jcjc.edu for more information. To learn more about the classes offered at the Greene County Center, call 601-394-4421 or 601-477-4238.

 

ELLISVILLE 鈥� 麻豆直播鈥檚 Sports Information Director, Shawn Wansley and Media and Public Relations Director, Teresa McCreery returned from the annual College Public Relations Association of Mississippi conference winning several awards. 聽However, Wansley swept the Sports News and the Sports Features categories winning all three top places in both categories.

鈥淚t is extremely rare for one person to earn all three spots in the sports news and sports features categories at a statewide college public relations association competition and conference. 聽I know this has happened in the news story and feature category once before, but it has not happened in the sports writing categories in recent history,鈥� said 麻豆直播 Media and Public Relations Director, Teresa McCreery. 鈥淭o understand the importance of this accomplishment, you have to consider the likelihood of no one from the other 14 community colleges in the state submitted an entry, which is doubtful. The judges simply selected Shawn鈥檚 sports stories and features as the best entries amongst those submitted.鈥�

The Sports News story, 鈥淛ones men’s soccer wins first-ever MACJC championship鈥� earned first place honors and the story, 鈥淛ones softball wins national championship鈥� took second place honors. Third place went to the sports story about the fifth-ranked football team winning the Mississippi Bowl.

Wansley鈥檚 Sports Feature story, 鈥淛C defensive line coach moves from law enforcement to coaching鈥� earned first place accolades with the feature about Jones hosting the annual FCA Christmas Party earning second place. Third place honors went to the feature story about softball player, Karli Perque signing with Memphis.

Also at the CPRAM conference, McCreery earned two, second place awards for her news and feature stories. The news story about Jones having the only Mechatronics/Robotics lab in the state earned second place in the news writing category. 麻豆直播鈥檚 Alumni and Foundation鈥檚 Legacy Tree dedication to four legends earned second place honors in the feature story category.

Both 麻豆直播 employees were experienced, news and sports reporters before joining the Marketing and Public Relations Department.聽 Wansley has been the SID since July 2007, and McCreery has worked in a few different roles since August 1997.