{"id":6744,"date":"2026-05-14T15:59:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T21:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/?p=6744"},"modified":"2026-05-14T15:59:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T21:59:26","slug":"jones-college-celebrated-graduates-family-education-and-the-u-s-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/news\/jones-college-celebrated-graduates-family-education-and-the-u-s-a\/","title":{"rendered":"Â鶹ֱ²¥ celebrated graduates, family, education and the U.S.A."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ELLISVILLE \u2013 As 665 graduates crossed the stage to roaring applause, Â鶹ֱ²¥ celebrated academic achievement, family support and the approaching 250th birthday of the United States during its 98th Commencement Ceremony. These graduates received either an associate in arts degree, associate in applied science degree, associate of science, associate of science and technology, a technical certificate, or a career certificate. Although rain forced the ceremony indoors, college leaders and graduates embraced the change with optimism and gratitude, turning the day into a memorable celebration of perseverance and patriotism.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Dr. Jesse Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cAs our country approaches its 250th birthday, we celebrate not only the founding of our nation, but the generation of leaders who have carried our country forward based on its promise,\u201d Â鶹ֱ²¥ President, Dr. Jesse Smith told the audience. \u201cLeaders who have worn the uniform, answered the call and devoted their lives to something greater than themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commencement ceremony featured keynote speaker, Major General Augustus Leon Collins, a retired United States Army Major General and Former Adjutant General of Mississippi, as well as a community college graduate from Booneville. He challenged graduates to believe in themselves, remain adaptable and live lives defined by character and service.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Maj. Gen. Augustus Collins<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cThings do not always happen as they\u2019re planned, so you always have to have a contingency plan,\u201d Collins said, referring to the weather-related change in ceremony plans. \u201cThose who have contingency plans have a greater level of success than those who don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collins repeatedly emphasized the importance of confidence, discipline and perseverance, encouraging graduates to embrace opportunities and trust their abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think you ought to believe in yourself,\u201d Collins said. \u201cPrepare yourself, drill yourself and go through it over and over, because when your time comes, you\u2019ll be ready and have the confidence that you can perform.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also reminded graduates that their actions and decisions will shape their futures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour character and your reputation will speak for you when you can\u2019t speak for yourself,\u201d Collins said. \u201cLive your life as if somebody just might chisel your name off the plaque of graduates, like they do for U.S. War College alumni who dishonor themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sydnee Tisdale<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The ceremony highlighted the college\u2019s patriotic theme with a performance of the National Anthem, by 2026 graduate from Ellisville, Sydney Tisdale and the Alumni Choir performing \u201cThe Battle Hymn of the Republic,\u201d as well as spiritual references with the Concert Choir singing, \u201cRide on King Jesus\u201d and Jones OnStage performing, \u201cTake Me to the King.\u201d Graduates reflected on both the emotional and historic significance of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Emily Daigle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more exciting than stressful,\u201d said graduate Emily Daigle of Seminary, a William Winters Scholar, and Charles Pickering Honors Institute member who majored in English. \u201cI couldn\u2019t stop thinking about it because I was so excited to celebrate our accomplishments with everyone else around me. Today is basically the gateway to everything next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daigle said she plans to continue her education in Germany and hopes to pursue a career in communications. Graduate Jayla Jones of Quitman said commencement represented the reward for years of hard work and preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a testimony of all of our hard work and it is preparation for the future for us,\u201d Jones said and she added that the rain brought back memories of her indoor high school graduation. \u201cMy high school graduation had to be inside because of the rain too, so it\u2019s kind of like a double whammy,\u201d she said with a laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Â鶹ֱ²¥ graduates pictured left to right, Yolanda James of Heidelberg, Ke\u2019Amber Jones of Heidelberg and Jayla Jones of Quitman pose for pictures prior to the Commencement Ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Jones plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi to study journalism and work in the university\u2019s Roy Howard Community Journalism Center. For non-traditional student Hope Mealer of Petal, graduation symbolized perseverance and setting an example for her children.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Hall of Fame recipients, Larissa Hubbard, Hope Mealer, Elisa Cook, and Chrishon Ellis.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cToday means everything to me because it gives my twins somebody to look up to,\u201d Mealer said. \u201cMy story is just a testimony from being a single mom playing basketball to making it to the Hall of Fame. It\u2019s just a little part of my story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Leilani DeBar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Leakesville\u2019s Leilani DeBar described commencement as the culmination of years of dedication and hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis just means accomplishment,\u201d DeBar said. \u201cEverything that I\u2019ve worked for has led up to this point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DeBar, who delivered the invocation during one of the three ceremonies, encouraged graduates to use their education to serve others with kindness and compassion. Following graduation, DeBar will intern in Washington, D.C., for Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith before continuing her accounting degree at Mississippi State University with plans to attend law school.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tripp Alexander<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Tripp Alexander of Gulfport reflected on the relationships and opportunities he experienced during his time at Jones as he prepared to walk out on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis day is an accumulation of a good two years,\u201d Alexander added he will continue his soccer career at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. \u201cI had a great opportunity to come play soccer at a great place. It\u2019s meant the world to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Hall of Fame graduate, Noah Allen of Columbia, commencement represented both achievement and gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis day means so much,\u201d Allen said. \u201cMy family and friends supported me through the good times and bad times, and I\u2019m just glad to graduate with my friends. I am looking forward to going to the University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree in information technology and study coding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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MIddle College graduate, Alex Virgen received his Laurel HS & Â鶹ֱ²¥ Diploma from Dr. Michael Eubanks<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

One of the ceremony\u2019s most celebrated moments happened while honoring Laurel High School\u2019s groundbreaking program called Middle College. Through a partnership with the Laurel School District, 19 high school students simultaneously earned both high school diplomas and associate degrees from Â鶹ֱ²¥. The fourth class of Middle College graduates included, Amber Burks, Gracelyn Carmichael, Davon Chambers, Eddie Cole, Henry DeJesus, Liliana Garcia, Autumn McGill, Karina Julio, Maitin Lainez, Laila McMillan, Jamari Morrow, Arberney Pollard, Vanessa Reyes, Sydney Ridgeway, Malia Sanders, Dexyia Sullican, Javon Terrell, and Richard Ward. Alex Virgen additionally earned Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s prestigious Hall of Fame academic honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the first Laurel High School cohort launched in 2021, these students have shown remarkable determination and achievement. It\u2019s incredible,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWhen they finish high school, they are already Â鶹ֱ²¥ graduates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He also praised the Women\u2019s Tennis Team who just captured the NJCAA Division II National Championship, which is the first time the lady\u2019s tennis team has won the National title for Â鶹ֱ²¥ and it\u2019s the first for Mississippi. Also, the JC Ladies Tennis Team won three individual national titles and three national doubles titles. With lots to celebrate, but before the streamers fell from the ceiling and before ending his commencement speech, Collins urged students to remember the people who helped them succeed and to use their education to serve others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNone of us achieve greatness alone,\u201d Collins said. \u201cYour family, your teachers and your community helped shape who you are today. Honor them by making a difference wherever life takes you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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ELLISVILLE \u2013 As 665 graduates crossed the stage to roaring applause, Â鶹ֱ²¥ celebrated academic achievement, family support and the approaching 250th birthday of the United States during its 98th Commencement Ceremony. These graduates received either an associate in arts degree, associate in applied science degree, associate of science, associate of science and technology, a technical … <\/p>\n

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