Āé¶¹Ö±²„ās percussion ensemble competing internationally at PASIC
ELLISVILLE ā Five Āé¶¹Ö±²„ students and members of a percussion ensemble will be representing Mississippi at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) and competition in Indianapolis on Friday, November 12.Ģż JCās five-person percussion ensemble includes freshman, Michael Arevalo-Pearl; freshman, Tyler Nunn-Petal; sophomore, Andrew Suttle-Petal; sophomore, Zach Gregore-Petal and sophomore, Stevonta Mayfield-Waynesboro will be the first, Mississippi junior/community college percussion group to compete at PASIC, according to Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Percussion instructor and Assistant Director of Bands, Dr. Josh Frans.
āWe entered the competition as a chance to take the students to the PASIC convention, to experience the convention which means mingling with some of the top percussion artists, participating in clinics and masterclasses, and concerts. To be around the caliber of musicians, and people in the industry is an experience that was absolutely life-changing for me when I was in college. I hope to be able to share that with my students,ā said Frans.

One of his freshman percussionists, Tyler Nunn doesnāt seem to be intimidated by being the first to compete on this level, before an international crowd of percussionists.
āItās really cool,ā said freshman, Tyler Nunn. āI havenāt been a part of a lot of āfirstsā but to be the first junior college from Mississippi to go to something as grand as PASIC and being at the only percussion geared convention, is really cool.ā
The quintet has been practicing on Sunday afternoons preparing for the competition since September, in addition to at least one hour during the week, depending on schedule demands. The five-minute piece they will perform, āBlue Burnā not only has students playing multiple percussion instruments, but the music is also in a difficult time signature and the performance includes a visual aspect with students playing in sync.

āIām looking forward to showing the universities how we play, and no one should underestimate a junior college because we definitely have skill here and Iām ready to prove it,ā said Zach Gregore, a music industry major who has been playing the drums since he was three years old. Each of his teammates has also been competitively performing at a young age and all of them were involved in prestigious high school indoor percussion/band competitions and were Mississippi Lions Band members.

āIām just excited to be able to perform on a big stage and compete again,ā said Andrew Suttle, an engineering major. āBecause of Covid, everything was shut down my senior year and Iām a sophomore at Jones now. I miss that aspect of playing drums and thatās what Iām most excited for; the feeling of competing and getting feedback. Iām excited about being back in Indianapolis too. Iāve been there for Indoor Percussion competitions twice.ā
After nearly two years of enduring Covid restrictions, Michael Arevalo is looking forward to competing again and loves the challenge of performing on the world stage at PASIC.
āI really just want to go and enjoy it. Iām passionate about drumming so this is going to be fun. I donāt really get nervous, I am more excited than nervous, and I canāt wait to be inspired again about performing like I used to be,ā said the kinesiology major.
Frans is confident in his studentsā abilities as rudimental percussionists performing on non-rudimental things, like the caxixi, a Brazilian shaker. Because the quintet will be facing university groups, Frans has imparted some personal wisdom as a previous PASIC winner. After his first PASIC appearance in 2005, Frans returned in 2007 and placed first in the PASIC marimba competition. He also placed fourth in 2010, and in 2015, he took an ensemble as a featured evening concert.
āWith an audience full of percussionists from all over the world, including international artists and students, Iāll be more nervous than my students during the competition because of the gravity of who they are performing before, which is also pretty neat,ā said Frans.
Competition and convention attendees are required to be fully vaccinated and masked. Also, each performing group will compete without their instructor conducting. They are on their own, performing as one.
āFor me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing to do,ā said Gregore. āIāll do whatever it takes to perform here. Iām super excited to be at PASIC and I consider it a privilege to be playing with some of the best drummers from Mississippi, here at Jones.ā
The group from Āé¶¹Ö±²„ will be amongst approximately 5,000 people attending the annual PASIC competition and convention. Also, more than 120 exhibitors will be showcasing percussion equipment, publications and services, in addition to the 120 concerts, clinics, workshops, presentations, and master classes given by the finest artists from around the world, in all areas of percussion marching, symphonic, education, music technology and new music. Waynesboroās Stevonta Mayfield is also looking forward to attending performances and enjoying everything with his friends.
āI am looking forward to having a good time with my friends and working hard during the competition. This is a group effort, and it feels great hearing us perform.ā
Three equipment managers, Ema Hudson-Laurel, Taikya Ducksworth-Taylorsville and Jordan Stianche-Petal, and Dr. Josh Frans will also be traveling with the ensemble.
PRVEPAās āRound Up for Educationā awards 28 scholarships to JC studentsĢż
±Ź³ó“dzٓĒ:ĢżPearl River Valley Electric Power Associationās Manager of Member Services, Leif Munkel (pictured in the front row, middle left) and Āé¶¹Ö±²„ President, Dr. Jesse Smith (front row, middle right), presented the āBig Checkā to several of the 28 JC students receiving a scholarship from PRVEPAās Roundup for Education Scholarship program and are pictured left to right, Gage Herring-Foxworth; Jaelynn Peak-Foxworth; (Leif Munkel) Thomas Bozeman-Foxworth; Clayton Cothern-Hattiesburg; Robert Johnson-Columbia; (Dr. Jesse Smith) Mae Miller-Sumrall and Adrienne Williamson-Sumrall.
ELLISVILLE ā Twenty-eight Āé¶¹Ö±²„ students were able to continue their college education with tuition assistance from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Associationās āRound Up for Educationā scholarship program.Ģż A check for $14,000 collected from PRVEPA members who rounded up their bills each month was divided amongst the Āé¶¹Ö±²„ students to receive a $500 scholarship.
āIt means a lot because it is extremely helpful to pay for books and school,ā said Āé¶¹Ö±²„ freshman from Foxworth. āIām grateful to everybody that gives to students such as me. Every penny counts for students because every little bit makes paying for college easier.ā
The electro-mechanical technology major said this scholarship has inspired him to pay it forward. āWhen I start paying my electric bill, I want my money to go to students like me,ā said Herring.
PRVEPA Manager of Members Services, Leif Munkel said 187 community college students throughout the PRVEPAās 12-county service area have received a financial boost from the generosity of its members who have more than 51,000 meters this year. Since the Round Up for Education Scholarship program begin nine years ago by members who āround-upā their bills to the nearest dollar each month have helped 1,838 students earn college degrees through this scholarship. PRVEPA CEO/General Manager, Matthew Ware said education is vital to improving the future for all of us in south Mississippi and every little bit helps.
āSometimes the smallest gestures, like donating 50 cents can make the biggest impact in our communities, said CEO/General Manager Matthew Ware. āWhile it may not seem like your spare change can do much, but when combined with the generosity of your fellow Pearl River Valley Electric members, you can help change the life of a fellow member and improve the quality of life in your communities. Working together is the cooperative way and that can make a big difference.ā
The $500 scholarships are available to any participating PRVEPA members, as well as for their spouses or dependent children who are enrolled as freshmen enrolled at a community college in Mississippi. Āé¶¹Ö±²„ President, Dr. Jesse Smith believes this is a fantastic partnership between PRVEPA and its members and this is one of the best investments that a community can make.
āThis scholarship program is very beneficial to our students at Āé¶¹Ö±²„,ā said Smith. āAn education is a gateway to prosperity and a great life here in America. Every penny helps and this is certainly a great investment. We are very thankful to have the communityās support.ā
To ensure the program continues to be viable in the future, ten percent of the
annual funds collected are set aside in an endowed fund for future use and is overseen by the PineBelt Foundation. The remaining money was divided equally between the applicants. Scholarship recipients this year include 88 students attending Pearl River Community College, 45 students at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and 28 at Āé¶¹Ö±²„. An additional 26 students are attending nine other state community colleges. Round Up for Education funds collected after August 1, go towards next yearās scholarships. Applications for 2022 scholarships are now available.
Āé¶¹Ö±²„ās PRVEPA Scholarship Recipients 2021
Alfred Acosta, Hattiesburg-Lamar Christian HS
JalasiaĢż Akins, Columbia-East Marion HS
Jakob Anderson, Lumberton-Purvis HS
Sierrah Beasley, Foxworth-West Marion HS
Thomas Bozeman, Foxworth-West Marion HS
RavenĢż Breland, Purvis-Oak Grove HS
Jacqueline Clark, Hattiesburg-FCAHS
Clayton Cothern, Hattiesburg-Presbyterian Christian HS
TrevorĢż Courtney, Bassfield-Columbia Academy
Abigail Hennis, Hattiesburg-FCAHS
Gage Herring, Foxworth-West Marion HS
Laural Lynn Hunt, Perkinston-Sacred Heart HS
Robert Johnson, Columbia-Columbia Academy
Hadlee Johnson, Hattiesburg-Oak Grove HS
Le’Joun Lewis, Columbia-East Marion HS
Ryan Little, Sumrall-SumrallĢż HS
William Lott, Hattiesburg-Sumrall HS
Cade Miller, Sumrall-Sumrall HS
Mae Miller, Sumrall-Oak Grove HS
Sara Morgan, Foxworth-West Marion HS
Jaelynn Peak, Foxworth-West Marion HS
Amy Polk, Columbia-West Marion HS
Dyani Weary, Columbia-East Marion HS
Hope Weathersby, Hattiesburg-Oak Grove HS
Hailey Webb, Purvis-Purvis HS
Blake Wilberding, Hattiesburg-Presbyterian Christian HS
Adrienne Williamson, Sumrall-Sumrall HS
Wallace Wood , Hattiesburg-Oak Grove HS
A āĀé¶¹Ö±²„ Christmasā and Tree Lighting event to help Salvation Armyās Angel Tree program
PHOTO: “A Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Christmasā event will feature a Christmas Tree Lighting on the Plaza and Christmas program similar to the pictured Christmas performance in 2018 featuring Āé¶¹Ö±²„ students from JC Voices, JC Jazz, Touch of Gold dance team, and cast members of the 2018 Christmas Show with toy donations for the Salvation Armyās Angel Tree program. Pictured in the center are the showās hosts, Jingle (Landon Williams) and Bell (Coco Caldwell) along with Santa and his friends in the Āé¶¹Ö±²„ of Art, Music and Performance department along with a few of the toys collected to benefit the Salvation Armyās Angel Tree Program.
ELLISVILLE ā Āé¶¹Ö±²„ is inviting the public to celebrate the Christmas Season with a special event called, āA Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Christmasā on Thursday, December 2. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. the Christmas Tree Lighting will take place outside on the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza with Christmas carols and performances from small ensemble groups and the Maroon Typhoon Colorguard.
Immediately following the Tree Lighting, vocal and musical performances by the JC Concert Choir, JC Voices, JC Jazz Band, Touch of Gold Dancers, the Percussion Ensemble, and a couple of special guests, will begin at 6 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. The audience will be guided through the eveningās musical performance called, āSnow Place Like Jones,ā by two, young actresses from Ellisville. Maddie Brown is a seventh-grader and daughter of JC Visual Arts Division Chair, Mark Brown and Julia Graham is a fourth-grader and the daughter of Michelle Graham, the JC bandsā woodwinds instructor and adjunct band staff. The kids will take the audience on an adventure discovering the joys of family and fellowship in the Christmas-themed program produced by the Assistant Dean of Āé¶¹Ö±²„ School of Art, Music, and Performance, Bruce Smith.
āWeāre very excited as a department to be able to celebrate Christmas with the community after not having any Christmas celebrations last year because of Covid-19 restrictions,ā said Smith. āItās a real collaborative effort with performing groups in the Āé¶¹Ö±²„ School of Art, Music, and Performance, including JC students in the Music Industry program who have produced special music for the theatrical portion of the program. These students are also assisting Stage Tec with special lighting and audio.ā
The Christmas program, āSnow Place Like Jonesā will feature an evening of beautiful Christmas favorites like, āMary Did You Know?ā āBreath of Heaven,ā āThe World of Christmas,ā and a mash-up of David Bowie and Bing Crosbyās āLittle Drummer Boyā and āPeace on Earth.ā
Admission to this special music and Tree Lighting event, āA Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Christmasā is a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the Salvation Army in an effort to bring a bit of Christmas cheer for kids in the Pine Belt.
āWe want to stress the purpose of our Christmas production is to provide toys for children who normally may not have much of a Christmas. We hope our local angels will be able to give a Santa filled sled full of gifts with a little help from our audience,ā said Smith.
Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in our area this Christmas.Ģż 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, call the Āé¶¹Ö±²„ of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to
Members of JC Jazz
Dr. Ben Burge, DirectorĢż
Alto Sax
Ethan Robertson, Columbia
Brandon Murray, Laurel
Eboni McDonald, Laurel
Tenor Sax
Sophia Gordon, Seminary
Jamie Anderson, Sumrall
Chris Hartfield, Petal
Baritone SaxĢż
Sarah Beth McKellar, Vicksburg
Trombone
Brandon Broome, Sumrall
William Eaton, Oak Grove
Tootie Hunt, Wiggins
John Scott, Oak Grove
Trumpet
Tyler Broadway, Laurel
Reagan Thornton, Laurel
Angel Salas, Petal
Hunter Overstreet, Laurel
Rachel Hawkins, Pearl
Trinity Williams, Brooklyn/FCAHS
Summer Hughes, Enterprise
Rhythm
RJ Hughes, Laurel
Bonner Welch, Ellisville
Zack Gregore, Petal
Conner Smith, Mize
Jeremy Corley, Enterprise
Logan Whitehead, Sumrall
Members of JC Voices
Dr. Susan A. Smith, Conductor
Accompanist, Dr. Theresa Sanchez
Darcy Beech, Ellisville
Chicago Collins, Brookhaven
Savannah Greene, Sumrall
Madison Lanier, Laurel
Kambri Pippin, Laurel
Jalen Poindexter, Jackson
Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian
Anna Leigh Ragsdale, Magee
Jaylon Sims, Raleigh
Jacob Strickland, Ovett
Josiah Raine, Picayune
Emily Valentine, Taylorsville
Hanna Grace Wood, Laurel
Christmas Percussion Ensemble
Dr. Josh Frans, Director
Ema Hudson, Sandersville
Stevonta Mayfield, Waynesboro
Michael Arevalo, Pearl
Bonner Welch, Moselle
Michael DeCou, Jonesboro, LA
Logan Whitehead, Sumrall
Conner Smith, Mize
Christian Branch, St. Stevens, AL
Zach Gregore, Petal
Taikya Ducksworth, Taylorsville
Jordan Stianche, Petal
Tyler Nunn, Petal
Jeremy Corley, Meridian
Andrew Suttle, Petal
Chris Hartfield, Petal
Logan Evans, Laurel
Touch of Gold Dancers
Lora Davis, Director/Choreographer
Ivana Bishop of Waynesboro
Abbey Dodd of Petal
Morgan Breland of Ellisville
Erin Buckley of Gallman
Karlee Green of Laurel
MacKenzie Drinkard of Lucedale
Meg Matthews of Raleigh
Annalee Dumas of Petal
Madison Temple of Pearl
JC Concert Choir
Dr. Imguy Kang, Director
Dr. Victoria Johnson, Accompanist
ĢżSoprano
Natalie Dewitt, Laurel *
Bayleigh Hill, Laurel
Charity Miller, Brooklyn
Bralynn Newell, Newton
Anna Pickering, Laurel
Abigail Thrash, Laurel
Madison Windham, Mize
Ashley Allee, Oak Grove
Victoria Ball, Laurel
Sabrina Turner, Vinegar Bend, AL
Rachel Carlino, Waynesboro
Mackenzie Golemon, Moselle
Gracee Green, Laurel
Amberlyn Holifield, Leakesville
Destiny Lewis, Laurel
Abby Nix, Ellisville
Laiklynn Roberts, Waynesboro
Darcy Beech, Ellisville
Savannah Greene, Sumrall
Abigail Smith, Richton
Trinity Williams, Brooklyn
Kamaya Hutton, Hattiesburg
Alto
Sarah Ables, Laurel **
Virginia Fortenberry, Lawrence County
Lily Hendrix, Sumrall
Samantha Bishop, Florence
Hannah Manning, Quitman
Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian
Kathryn Hyatt, Laurel
Hannah Johnson, Laurel
Madison Lanier, Laurel
Bailey Rowell, Wayne
Molly Waldrop, Laurel
Natalie Walker, Laurel
Hanna Wood, Laurel
Annaleigh Ragsdale, Magee
Jennalyn Purvis, Petal
Payton Voge, Laurel *
Morgan White, Laurel
Jaelynn Peak, Foxworth
La’Lexia Murrell, Laurel
Kristen Jordan, Laurel
Tenor
Jaylon Sims, Raleigh
Michael Decou, Chatham, LA
Petara Joāi Jones, Hattiesburg **
Jalen Poindexter, Jackson *
Josiah Raine, Picayune
Elijah Gray, Heidelberg
Jacob Strickland, Ellisville
Lazarius Shelby, Laurel
Bonner Welch, Moselle
Tellas Smith, Laurel
Wesley Carmical, Ellisville
Bass
Judah Capers, Laurel
Vincent Brown, Moss Point
David Ishee, Laurel
Alejandro Jarillo, Laurel
Donovan Williams, Laurel
Cameron Beech, Laurel
Cameron Glenn, Ellisville
Colby Marsh, Petal
Samuel Rodgers, Petal
Jarrett Darden, Seminary
Xavier Porter, Laurel
Marcus Sims, Laurel
Isaiah Spradley, Laurel
Damarie Windham, Laurel
Rayshawn Gamblin, Waynesboro
Jonah Holland, Ellisville*
Conner Smith, Ellisville
Dylan Waters, Laurel
*Section Leader
**Directorās Assistant
Āé¶¹Ö±²„’s PTK Honor Society establishes Alumni Chapter
ELLISVILLE ā During Homecoming festivities at Āé¶¹Ö±²„, the Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Chapter International Honor Society announced the establishment of an Alumni Chapter of PTK. As part of the chapterās College Project, led by sophomore JC student from Waynesboro, Ivana Bishop, The PTK Alumni Chapter will provide an opportunity for alumni of the honor society to be connected to current students and future students.
āThe function of the PTK Alumni Chapter at Āé¶¹Ö±²„ is to encourage a sense of belonging to Jones for these graduates. We believe our alumni would want to be a part of this organization to reunite them with their peers, have their accomplishments recognized and to reestablish links between successful alumni and Āé¶¹Ö±²„ through communication and networking,ā said Bishop.
Three advisors of the newly established PTK Alumni chapter group, Gwen
Matuszewski of Raleigh, Matthew Harrison of Laurel and JeāShaiah Stephens of Laurel, were recognized during the Alumni Luncheon at Homecoming in October. Gwen Matuszewski previously served as an advisor of the current PTK Chapter as a Āé¶¹Ö±²„ employee. Stephens and Harrison are recent graduates of Āé¶¹Ö±²„ and former PTK members and officers. For more information about the new, PTK Alumni chapter email, PTKAlumni@jcjc.edu

Āé¶¹Ö±²„ costume contest winners
Picture CutlineĢż costumers 10-21:Ģż The winners of the Costume Contest for JC students are pictured left to right; Jada Austin of Hattiesburg took second place. Jordan Grimes of Leakesville won first place. Aidan Church of Ellisville was the third-place winner. ĢżHonorable Mention winners were Aryn Cox of Laurel; Brandy Patterson of ĢżEllisville; Braden Cupit of Ellisville and Emilee Heintz of Petal.
ELLISVILLE āSeveral hundred super-heroes, princesses and ghouls came out to have fun at the annual Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Treats in the Streets on the JC campus. Kids played games for treats in the booths set up by JC faculty and students as a way to give back to the community. Some children participated in the costume contests for babies through teens, with the winners of the creatively dressed kids receiving a variety of goodies and sweet prizes fro
m the JC Office of Student Affairs.
College students who dressed the best received Bobcat Bucks for their efforts. Taking first place was Jordan Grimes from Leakesville as āPebbles Flintstone.āĢż Jada Austin of Hattiesburg came in second place as āSushi Rollā and Aidan Church of Ellisville as the āScary Clown,ā took third place.
JC students and winners in the Group category, Grimes, Samantha Dildine as BamBam, and Rashad Bullock and Keasia Andrews of Tylertown as the dinosaurs, were the Flintstones Characters. Also participating as honorable mention winners were Aryn Makayla Cox of Laurel as āMorticia Adams,ā Brandy Patterson of Ellisville as āMercy,ā Braden Cupit of Ellisville as an Anime character and Emilee Heintz of Petal as, āScary Fat Baby.ā
Treats in the Streets is an annual, free, community event that is hosted by the Āé¶¹Ö±²„ Student Government Association.

