JC holds Pinning Ceremony for A.D. Nursing grads
ELLISVILLE ā The May 2020 graduates of Ā鶹ֱ²„ās Associate Degree Nursing program received their diplomas, but they cam±šĢżback to get something COVID-19 guidelines did not allow in May. At a small ācontactlessā ceremony with class members who opted to attend, Ā鶹ֱ²„ administrators and A.D. Nursing faculty welcomed 12 graduates who wanted to participate in a nursing tradition, the Pinning Ceremony. Ā鶹ֱ²„ nurse graduates, Mallory Malone-Richton, Destiny Ponder-Collins, Matthew Brown-Ellisville, Allie Rae Harvey-Hattiesburg, Carter Jones-Ellisville, Nicole Keys-Collins, Mary Caitlin-Lawler-Hattiesburg, Brynden Long-Ellisville, Garrett McAdory-Lucedale, Ashton Roberts-Mt. Olive, Allyson Smith-HattiesburgĀ and Hannah Williamson-Sumrall also participated in the time-honored lamp lighting ceremony honoring the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Service dog becomes 1st canine member of the JC Maroon Typhoon Marching Band
ELLISVILLE ā In a year that is anything but normal, the Ā鶹ֱ²„ Maroon Typhoon Marching Band has welcomed its first known service dog member this fall. Laurie, the three-year-old Golden Retriever is baritone saxophone player, Sara-Beth McKellarās service dog. The Vicksburg native was diagnosed with epilepsy as a sophomore in high school after her first seizure. McKellar was preparing to lift the barbell during a powerlifting competition when she passed out and began seizing. She started taking medication for epilepsy to try to control the seizures, but they were happening almost weekly.
āIt always seemed to happen at the most inconvenient time,ā said McKellar. āI fell down the bleachers and herniated a disc, and I had a seizure in the bathroom and somehow locked the door,ā said McKellar. āMy mom (Kiely) is a nurse and she was very relieved when we got Laurie, especially when I decided to come to Jones for college.ā
Having her sister, Anna Claire on campus her freshman year helped to ease momās concerns. Last April, the family decided to launch a fundraising campaign to get a service dog, for additional reassurance. The day before McKellarās birthday, the family drove to Madison, Virginia to pick up Laurie from Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers. This life-saving addition to the family has changed Sara Beth by providing her more independence.
āIām a pretty shy person and the last thing I wanted was to draw more attention, especially after having seizures,ā said McKellar.Ā āHaving Laurie has certainly attracted more attention; however, she has also helped me to become more sociable and independent.ā
McKellar is also happy to report she has been seizure-free since adopting Laurie six-months ago. There have been a couple of close calls she admits, but Laurie was there ready to help.
āI have learned to take more breaks while working on the computer,ā said McKellar. āHopefully, I will grow out of the seizures like my dad, who inspires me, too.ā Sara Bethās father is Dr. Jason McKellar, the principal for the Academy of Innovation in Vicksburg.
Also inspired by Sara Beth and Laurie, is Director of Bands at Ā鶹ֱ²„, Dr. Ben Burge. This is the first time in his 21 years of teaching that he recalls having a service dog in the marching band. Laurie is also reportedly the first canine in the Maroon Typhoon Marching Bandās history.
āIām grateful Sara Beth has Laurie to provide that very special service. The puppy has added a lot of smiles to the band! She is adorable. However, we know we must let her work and not disturb her, but after practice, Laurie gets some love from band members,ā said Burge. āWe gladly welcome our first āmarchingā service dog and Sara Beth. We are glad they are both members of the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band!ā
Sara Beth said her freshman year in the Maroon Typhoon was a lot different than this year with COVID-19 and social distancing protocols. Yet, her sophomore year has been special because of Laurie.
āThankfully, Laurie enjoys band too. She does not like Walmart!ā said McKellar. āI also hope as people who are intrigued by Laurie and want to get to know her, they will also want to get to know her handler and learn how Laurie provides medical help, protection and loves her āpersonā while continually working.ā
The Maroon Typhoon Marching Bandās next performance will be Thursday, October 29, during the home football game where the Bobcats host the Wildcats of Pearl River Community College.
Ā鶹ֱ²„ās Touch of Gold performs with Maroon Typhoon
ELLISVILLE āMembers of the Maroon Typhoon Marching Band, including the Touch of Gold dance team at Ā鶹ֱ²„ were not able to learn their routines in August, like normal. Practices for the 10-members of the Touch of Gold dance team were all held virtually in accordance with CDC guidelines to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Despite the challenges, the team danced together on the Sim Cooley Stadium/Bobcat Football Field for the first time together in person just before the stadium filled with spectators for the first home football game.
Under the direction of long-time director and JC alumna, Lora Davis, the team will continue to expand on the show in preparation for the next home football game on Thursday, October 29, against Pearl River Community College for the annual āCat Fight.āĀ Members of the Touch of Gold include Abbey Dodd-Petal; Ollia Boykin-Lucedale; Madyson Bounds-Lucedale; Annalee Dumas-Petal; Ivana Bishop-Waynesboro; Morgan Breland-Ellisville; Erin Buckley-Crystal Springs; Kenzie Drinkard-Lucedale; Caylen Burge-Richton and Karmen McNatt-Petal.
Ā鶹ֱ²„ās Fall Blood Drive inspires student
ELLISVILLE āĀ鶹ֱ²„ sophomore, Amanda Bozeman of Foxworth bravely gave her first pint of blood during Ā鶹ֱ²„ās Fall Blood Drive as part of a personal challenge. After successfully making it through the process, she is now contemplating whether it could be a new habit for her.
āI always wanted to give but I couldnāt in high school because I didnāt weigh enough and I couldnāt get past the idea of blood leaving my body,ā said Bozeman. āI decided to give it another try because you only live once and I like helping people.ā
The future pharmacistās friend, Emily Callender of Gulfport, helped to ease Bozemanās fear of the process. However, she ultimately wanted to join Bozeman and donate blood.
āIām glad my friend can give blood, but I didnāt pass the pre-screening. Helping her is another way I can support the cause,ā said Callender.
Ā鶹ֱ²„ sociology instructor, Stacy Ruth said she has been supporting the cause for more than 30 years. She said she gladly gives her āO+ā blood at every possible opportunity. Ruth said Vitalant often calls her to donate because of her āuniversalā blood type which most people can receive, despite their blood type.
āThey come to campus making it convenient. Thereās no reason not to come and do something that is simple, that I can do,ā said Ruth.
Vitalant collected 103 units of blood during the three-day blood drive on the Ā鶹ֱ²„ campus with 130 students attempting to give.Ā Donor Recruitment Representative, Sara Dyess said more than 300 lives will be saved with the donations.Ā As an extra incentive to donate, everyone who gave blood was given the test for COVID-19 antibodies. For more information about Vitalant and its services check out the webpage,
Ā鶹ֱ²„ & Lauren Rogers Museum create mural for Laurelās Social Club
LAUREL ā A colorful collaboration between Ā鶹ֱ²„ās Visual Arts Department Chair and instructor, Mark Brown, and the Education Outreach Coordinator for Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Kelly Rosa, produced a beautiful rainbow for downtown Laurel to enjoy. Along with Brownās daughter Maddie, the three painted a rainbow mural for the Social Club of Laurel which is a place forĀ individuals with sensory and social sensitivities.
According to Social Club Director, Crystal Phillips, āThe mission of the Social Club is to provide a community-based outreach center that hosts ability inclusive recreation and socialization, while also serving as an educational and networking hub for both caregivers and professionals. With the artist’s help, the centerĀ will be a little brighter to enjoy.ā
The Brownās and Rosa said they were happy to provide their services to render a rainbow-themed mural for the waiting area of the center.
āI genuinely enjoy helping out within our region and community and try to modelĀ the importance of community involvement for my children and students,ā said Brown. āI have always valued the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and was very grateful to Kelly Rosa for lending her talents.ā
The three artists spent a Saturday drawing and painting the 12-foot-wide mural inside the Social Club Center, hoping it will be enjoyed by many for years to come.
āItās always a pleasure and a privilege for me to be involved in a community project, especially murals and other forms of public art; itās a great way to share art with many people and to offer enrichment and inspiration,ā said Rosa.
For more information about the Social Club of Laurel, contact Crystal Phillips at 601-342-5247.