Alumnus Karen Mooreto speak at graduation

Pearl River Community College will hold graduation at 10 a.m.Friday, May 13, in the Marvin R. White Coliseum on thePoplarville campus.

Students who completed their degree or certificate requirementsduring the summer and fall 2015 semesters as well as the spring

2016 semester are eligible to participate.Speaker will be alumna Karen Moore,

chief executive officer of the BaldwinCounty EMC.

The ceremony will be streamed to theBrownstone Center for the Arts wherefamily and friends can watch on bigscreens if coliseum seating is full. Thecenter will be open by 9 a.m. on the morn-ing of graduation.

Reserved parking for the handicappedand elderly will be located in the parkinglot to the east of the coliseum.Moore, a 1985 PRCC graduate, also

holds a degree in business administration and marketing manage-ment from the University of Southern Mississippi. As CEO of theBaldwin County EMC, she oversees the largest electric coopera-tive in Alabama.

Moore is the daughter of Frank and Beverly Ladner of Bay St.Louis. Frank Ladner is a long-time member of the PRCC Board ofTrustees. She and her husband Ken live in Fairhope, Ala.

Summer night classes begin on Monday, May 23, and willmeet the following week on the Memorial Day holiday, May 30.

First term day classes start Monday, June 6, and go throughWednesday, June 29.

Second term day classes begin Thursday, June 30, and contin-ue through Wednesday, July 27.

The fall semester starts with registration on Wednesday, Aug.3; faculty returning on Monday, Aug. 8; and classes beginningon Monday, Aug. 15.

Orientation for new PRCC students, known as ROAR, will beheld throughout the summer.

The sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration openingat 8 a.m.

Sessions in Poplarville are on June 7 for fine arts students andthose with ACT scores of 21 or higher; June 21, athletes; June 23,July 21 and 26 for all.

At the Forrest County Center, sessions will be on June 16 for thosewith ACT scores of 21 or higher and on July 12 and 28 for all.

ROAR at the Hancock Center will be on Aug. 3 for all studentswith two-hour sessions starting at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

PRCC will switch to the four-day summer schedule on Monday,June 6.

Offices will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday throughThursday with employee lunch breaks cut to 45 minutes. All cam-puses will be closed on Friday.

Because the Fourth of July holiday falls on a Monday, the four-dayschedule will switch to Tuesday through Friday for that one week.

The regular five-day schedule will resume on Monday, Aug. 1.

Jenna Lee of Picayune was elected to serve as executive pres-ident of the Student Government Association for 2016-17.

Working with her will be Austin Darden of Poplarville, executivevice president, and Patrick Scott of d’Iberville, executive secretary.

Elections for freshman and sophomore class officers will beheld a few weeks after the start of the fall semester.

MAY 2016 PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Moore

Dr. Adam Breerwood, PRCC vice president for thePoplarville campus and Hancock Center, received aDistinguished College Administrator Award.

Lorrie Warren of Poplarville, Iota Mu vice president forleadership, spoke to a meeting of the National Campaignto Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy about thechapter’s unplanned pregnancy awareness project.

PRCC brings PTK awards home The Beta Tau Gamma chap-

ter of Phi Theta Kappa at PearlRiver Community College hasbeen named one of the interna-tional honor society’s mostoutstanding chapters.

Beta Tau Gamma, the ForrestCounty Center chapter, re-ceived one of 20 DistinguishedChapter Awards during

NerdNation, PTK’s internation-al convention, held April 7-9 inNational Harbor, Md.

“To be considered for thisaward, our chapter submittedentries for both the Honors inAction Project and CollegeProject,” said Dr. Terri Ruckel,one of the Beta Tau Gammaadvisors.

“Selection is based solely onthe written entries for thesetwo projects. The scores areaveraged to determine thechapter’s overall ranking.From the 1,285 Phi ThetaChapters around the world,Beta Tau Gamma’s ranking isin the top twenty.”

Dr. Adam Breerwood,PRCC vice president for thePoplarville campus andHancock Center, received aDistinguished CollegeAdministrator Award.

The awards are given tocommunity college vice presi-dents, deans or leaders otherthan college presidents.

“I was honored to be recog-nized by a premier student or-ganization like PTK,”Breerwood said. “I am proudto be associated with these out-standing students and advisorswho have represented our in-stitution to the highest of stan-dards. I am in awe of the con-tributions they have made toour college and the surround-ing communities.

“To receive recognition formy small contributions to thesuccess of PTK was a hum-bling experience. I look for-ward to the continued successof these students for manyyears to come.”

Breerwood was nominatedby the Beta Tau Gamma chap-ter and the Iota Mu chapter.

“Dr. Breerwood has support-ed Phi Theta Kappa with hisconfidence, and he calls the so-ciety his ‘go-to group’ becausehe believes that when he en-trusts them with a responsibili-ty, he ‘knows that it will bedone right.’,” said StephanieLee, Iota Mu advisor.“Because of that confidence,he supports the society with acommodity more preciousthan money: his time.”

Lorrie Warren of Poplarvillespoke to a meeting of theNational Campaign to PreventTeen and UnplannedPregnancy about the chapter’sunplanned pregnancy aware-ness project. n See PTK AWARDS, page 3

A Pearl River Community Collegesophomore will lead a state-wide organi-zation of Mississippi’s top higher educa-tion students.

Sarah Spence of Carriere is the newpresident of the Mississippi HonorsConference Council.

As president, she will be heavily in-volved in planning the 2017 state confer-ence at PRCC, which will be the first timethe organization has met at a communitycollege.

“I’m very excited and grateful for theopportunity,” said Spence, a molecular bi-ology major and member of the PRCCHonors Institute.

The conference will include student ac-ademic presentations along with opportu-nities to socialize and network.

“Our school will present as well asother schools, probably acouple of groups from theHonors Institute,” she said.

Forrest County Center stu-dent Rachel Carraro ofHattiesburg will serve asstate liasion officer. JennaLee of Picayune and AlexCumbest of Hurley, Honorsstudents in Poplarville, willbe council delegates.

Conference planning willbegin in September with ameeting at Jackson StateUniversity, said Dr. StephenBlack, Honors Institute director.

“Pearl River Community CollegeHonors Institute will be the first commu-

nity college in the state to host theMississippi HonorsConference,” Black said.“It’s a combination of hon-ors programs at both the uni-versities and the communitycolleges.”

The 2016 conference washeld in early April at DeltaState University.

Hosting the conferencewill give PRCCís students achance to demonstrate theexcellence of a communitycollege program, Spence

said. “We can show we’re up to the level of

the universities, can keep up with them,”she said.

Spence

Spence to lead Honors Conference Council

The Spirit of the River marching band will be led by four drummajors when it takes the field at Dobie Holden Stadium.

They are Alyssa Fuller of Carriere, William Leuba of Picayune,Olivia Conley of Gulfport and Hanna Eckie of Petal.

They were selected following auditions on April 30.

Summer night classes beginMay 23; day classes June 6

ROAR orientations set

Four-day week starts June 6

Jenna Lee to lead SGA

Four drum majors picked

Honors Institute graduates at Pearl River CommunityCollege received medallions May 3. They are, seated fromleft, Stanford Joseph Gwin of Purvis, Brandon “Cayne”Landrum, Natalie McCormick and Ross Savoie, all ofPicayune; Evan Thornton of Collins, Victoria Valliant ofCarriere; standing, Tyler Abney of Purvis, Leah Balli of

Carriere, Samuel Bond of Lumberton, Jared Bowman ofPicayune, Joseph “Seth” Bowman of Poplarville, BriannaDillon of Oak Grove, Jocelyne Brown Sims of Hattiesburgand John Graves of Bassfield. Not pictured is ThomasCatlett of Hattiesburg.PRCC Public Relations photo

Honors Institute grads receive medals

Pearl River Community College award-ed medals May 3 to graduating honorsstudents.

The Honors Institute MedallionCeremony recognized the success of thestudents who completed a minimum of 21hours of Honors coursework and main-tained a cumulative 3.4 grade point aver-age.

“I’ve furthered myself academically inways I’d never have imagined,” saidSamuel Bond of Lumberton. “There areall kinds of opportunities to be gainedfrom this institute.”

PRCC established the Honors Institutefour years ago in temporary quarters. It isnow located on the renovated second floorof White Hall on the Poplarville campuswith facilities on the Forrest CountyCenter as well.

“Our initial vision has been realized andhas evolved into much more,” said Dr.Terri Ruckel, Forrest County CenterHonors coordinator. “The honors educa-tion at Pearl River Community Collegeprovides an experience that changes stu-dents’ lives.”

Two of the Honors Institute graduates -Tyler Abney of Purvis and VictoriaValliant of Carriere - are semi-finalists forprestigious Jack Kent Cooke TransferScholarships. The scholarships for gradu-ates of two-year colleges are similar to theRhodes or Fulbright scholarships for four-year graduates. Only 85 are awarded an-nually.

PRCC honors graduates are automati-cally admitted to honors programs at thestate’s four-year universities.

“Pearl River Community College made

me feel like home and gave me a lot of op-portunities I would never have had,” saidNatalie McCormick of Picayune. She willtransfer to Mississippi State University.

The 2016 Honors Institute graduates:n Tyler Abney of Purvis was named to

the PTK All-Mississippi AcademicSecond Team and is a semi-finalist for aJack Kent Cooke scholarship. He plans totransfer to the University of Mississippiand then attend law school. n Leah Balli of Carriere plans to trans-

fer to the University of SouthernMississippi and major in business.n Samuel Bond of Lumberton will at-

tend Mississippi State University to majorin biochemistry.n Jared Bowman of Picayune plans to

major in polymer science at USM.n See HONORS, page 3

Fourth class features some top scholars

PRCC makes another ‘best’ list Pearl River Community College has

again been recognized as one of the coun-try’s best.

The StateUniversity.comwebsite ranks PRCC as 15thon its list of the 500 best com-munity colleges in the UnitedStates for 2015.

PRCC is the onlyMississippi community col-lege listed in the top 85 on thelist. PRCC is one of more than1,100 community colleges inthe U.S.

“I am truly excited about therecognition that our college hasreceived from the StateUniversity.com or-ganization,” said Dr. William Lewis,

PRCC president. “To be recognized asone of America’s best community col-

leges by this organization istruly an honor for us.

“The recognition exempli-fies the great efforts our em-ployees make to ensure PearlRiver students receive a qual-ity higher education. We areproud of the achievements ofour students that helped makethis recognition possible.”

According to its website,StateUniversity.com usesmany different measures in

determining the rank of a par-ticular school. The most important factorsare a school’s ACT/SAT scores, its student

retention, faculty salary, and student / fac-ulty ratio.

PRCC’s score was 77.41, out of a possi-ble score of 100.

“Recognition of this magnitude shouldbe celebrated across the college,” said Dr.Adam Breerwood, vice president for thePoplarville campus and Hancock Center.“This award is an example of the collabo-rative efforts of all departments to helpour students achieve success. This honoris a direct reflection of the leadership ofDr. Lewis and the environment forachievement he has created.”

This ranking is another in a long list ofnational recognitions the college has re-ceived in recent years. n See BEST LIST, page 3

Dr. Lewis

N E W S & O P I N I O NMay 2016 • Page 2 The Drawl

Pearl River Community College offers equal edu-cation and employment opportunities. The Collegedoes not discriminate on the basis of race, religion,color, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, or dis-ability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimina-tion policies or to request accommodations, specialassistance, or alternate format publication, pleasecontact Tonia Moody, Director of Admissions andRecords, ADA/Civil Rights, and Title IXCoordinator, at P.O. Box 5537, Poplarville, MS39470 or 601-403-1060.

Pearl River Community College is accredit-

ed by the Southern Association of Colleges and

Schools Commission on Colleges to award as-

sociate degrees. Contact the Commission on

Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur,

Georgia 30033-4097, telephone 404-679-4500,

or at http://www.sacscoc.org for questions

about the accreditation of Pearl River

Community College. The Commission is only

to be contacted to learn about the accreditation

status of the College, to file a third-party com-

ment at the time of the College’s decennial re-

view, or to file a complaint against the College

with evidence that appears to support non-

compliance with a standard or requirement. All

normal inquiries about the institution, such as

admission requirements, financial aid, educa-

tional programs, etc., should be addressed di-

rectly to Pearl River Community College and

not to the Commission’s office.

Non-discrimination statement

SACS accreditation

By TAYLOR WATTSThe Drawl Staff Writer

Since it’s almost summer, I’m going to breaktypecasting for this article and write about musicwith my 10 favorite summer songs.

The songs I like to jam to during the summer,then and now. Though I’m only doing a modernedition, so anything not released in the year2000 and onwards is omitted. I’m sorry.

Anyway, get out your swimsuit and shades formy picks of the greatest summer jams of the past15 years.

10) Treasure (Bruno Mars)Bruno Mars knows a thing or two about tak-

ing it back with his music. Both the music andthe video are reminiscent of the group Earth,Wind, & Fire, and it would’ve still been a greatsong if it was released in September (see what Idid there). This song just makes you wannadance with your better half and I’ve yet to seeanyone looking ‘blue’ when this song plays.

9) On the Floor (Jennifer Lopez ft Pitbull)Another summer party anthem on my list, but,

hey, I got more of that to come. Anyway, I real-ly enjoy this song, I enjoyed J Lo, and I likePitbull’s rap verses. In fact, I got his first versenailed. If this song doesn’t get you on the dancefloor, nothing will.

8) Crazy in Love (Beyonc’ ft Jay-Z)Hard to believe it’s been 13 years since Queen

B began her career with this amazing, catchy,sexy and (can be) relatable song (Cause I getcrazy when I’m in love too). Both B and J real-ly bring their A-game in this song, the music, thelyrics, the swag I felt in there. It’s unbelievable.

7) All Summer Long (Kid Rock)

The only country song to make this list, I re-ally enjoy it. And every time it comes on ,I’mlike Kid Rock, “turn it up!” This song is one ofKid Rock’s best; everyone should have this songon their cookout playlist.

6) Can’t Hold Us (Macklemore & RyanLewis ft Ray Dalton)

Another hit from the summer of 2013, thissong really had me believing that the duo couldbe the next OutKast of the decade.This song is so energetic every time Ihear it on Pandora when I go powerwalk, I power run when I hear it.Also, I have to mention the musicvideo, because it was spectacular.

5) Airplanes (B.o.B ft HayleyWilliams of Paramore)

Nearly anyone can relate to thissong, or the first thing B.o.B says.One of the greatest hip hop songs ofthe ‘10s so far, it was pretty much in-escapable in 2010 but the only thingstopping it was Katy Perry’s CaliforniaGurls.

Also, I really enjoyed Haley Williams’ art,and yes sometimes I wish I could make a wishfrom an airplane at night.

4) Give Me Everything (Pitbull ft Ne-Yo,Ne-Yo, and Afrojack)

Though I did enjoy Party Rock Anthem fromLMFAO, this song really had me in the summerof 2011.

Pitbull offers a few quotable lines, Ne-Yogives an amazing chorus, and frankly this is an-other song I get out of my seat and dance to it.Though to be honest the movie Pitch Perfect al-most killed the song.

3) Am I Wrong (Nico & Vinz)Am I wrong for saying that Fancy from Iggy

Azalea was overhyped? Because without thissong, the summer of 2014 would’ve been quiteannoying.

This song really stood out for me, cause of theAfrican vibe in the song. It’s a fun, inspirationaltreasure of a song.

2) Billionaire (Travie McCoy ft BrunoMars)

Between this song and Airplanes,the summer of 2010 certainly didhave a lot of relatable hip-hop songs.

Of course the song is a summersong because it’s just got that sum-mer vibe attached to it; as well as achorus from Bruno Mars which isone of my favorite choruses of alltime. And indeed I want to be a bil-lionaire, so... very bad.

1) I Gotta Feeling (The Black-Eyed Peas)Words can’t describe how much I

really, really, really, really love this song. I’m abig fan of The Black Eyed Peas and this is trulytheir trademark song.

I love everything in this song from it’s catchybeat, to the catchy chorus, to the spirit in thesong, everything. I’m really happy it took hometwo Grammys, and one last thing if you hate thesong, you don’t hate it. Believe me, it’s just allin your head.

Yes, summer can be fun, especially with greatmusic, and fingers crossed that the summer hitsof this year will be great!

n Taylor Watts is a sophomore studentfrom Columbia.

Watts

Some of better summer songs

By IVERY BODDIEThe Drawl Staff Wtiter

Confucius once said, “The will to win, thedesire to succeed, the urge to reach your fullpotential... These are the key that will unlockthe door to personal excellence.”

Therefore, we are as great as wedecide to be. Each day we have tomake decisions and in these deci-sions lie our full potential.

We are not defined by failure be-cause it is only a natural process oflearning, nor achievement because itis a temporary sense of pride.

Personal excellence is rooted inthe understanding that everyone isconnected and that success is foundin contributing to a better society.

It is directly related to universalcompassion and the desire to ease the suffer-ings of others. Succeeding is rooted in lovingeveryone equally, caring for nature, and takingthe time to be thankful for each day.

We all require someone’s help and down theroad hopefully we will not forget to lend a help-ing every chance we get. What we choose to dotoday, will shape the world we have to live intomorrow.

I would like to congratulate the PRCC grad-uates of this year.

The past two years have probablyfelt like a journey of a thousandmiles. As students, we have writtenmany reports, given presentations,speeches, managed quiz after quiz,all while balancing extra curricularactivities and personal lives.

Pearl River Community Collegehas given us the tools we need tosucceed in life. It has been a pleasuremeeting you and I sincerely wishyou a life of happiness, success andthat you reach your full potential.

n Ivery Boddie is a sophomore studentfrom Sandy Hook. He plans to attend PRCCfor two more semesters before graduating inMay of 2017.

Boddie

PRCC has given us alltools we need to succeed By BRANDON MOORE

The Drawl Staff Writer

My first year at Pearl River CommunityCollege is over now. It went by so fast.

I can remember when I was going to the ad-missions office and visiting the campus, tryingto get enrolled.

I knew it was the place for me when I waswalking around campus and going toclass on the first day.

I just wanted to see how collegeworked because before I started col-lege people used to tell me it was sohard and that instructors weren’tgoing to tell you about assignments.

I knew I was not going to have aproblem because in high school I hadperfect attendance and I had a goodgrade-point average. I remember myfirst day of class in the summer of2015. I was so anxious to see what itwas going to be like.

After my first class, the instructors were sonice and organized. I knew I was going to makeit through college.

It is now time to go into my sophomore year.

With another full schedule, I am ready for thechallenge. During my sophomore year, I amlooking forward to being a part of big things.

I tried out for the basketball team for PRCCand I am looking forward to being a championand getting offers from universities such asUSM, LSU, Kentucky, and others.

However, since I have been at PRCC for ayear, I have really figured out how to write

proper essays, speak in front of audi-ences, and also learn about the differ-ent parts of life growing from a babyto an adult.

I have had fun my first year atPRCC, but I also knew when it wastime to take of business.

I made an excellent choice whencoming to PRCC because we haveone of the biggest JuCo campuses,and we also have places to do workand study, and great tutors.I would tell anybody about the good

things at Pearl River CommunityCollege and that it is a great place to get a de-gree.

n Brandon Moore is a sophomore studentfrom Laurel.

Moore

My first year at PRCChas been memorable one

By JOCELYNE BROWN SIMSThe Drawl Staff Writer

Graduation is right around the corner andPearl River Community College sophomoresare preparing to embark on their next journey inlife.

As for me, I am transferring to The Universityof Southern Mississippi’s honors col-lege and pursuing a bachelor’s de-gree in journalism.

My plan is to build a journalismempire and revive local and globalnewspapers, as well as be the voiceof a popular radio station.

I believe my first semester enrolledat PRCC opened doors that were pre-viously closed, and placed me on theright track toward a successful future.

The staff at PRCC-FCC are un-matched. They sincerely care aboutthe success of their students and go togreat lengths in order to lend a helping hand.Community colleges pride themselves on cater-ing to unorthodox students.

Students from different backgrounds have thechance to enroll and receive an honorable edu-

cation. And when it comes to PRCC-FCC, wehave the privilege of learning from the most dis-tinguished staff and we’re also blessed with life-experienced teachers hidden in our very ownclassmates.

To the future graduates of Pearl RiverCommunity College, I want to encourage youall to get involved, take advantage of the oppor-

tunities that are presented to you andmake your time at PRCC unforget-table.

In the words of Dr. Ryan Ruckel,one of my instructors, “You mustshow up and finish!”

Cheers to the graduating class of2016. Not only did we show up andfinish but we excelled. Hope to seeyou all in the future.

A personal thank you to the follow-ing for helping me: Mrs. Dr. Ruckel,Mr. Dr. Ruckel, Ms. Alder, Mrs.

Peerboom, Dr. Donohue, Dr. Purvis,Ms. Clark, Dr. Mraz, Mrs. Brady, Mr. Christen,Mrs. Stewart, PRCC Faculty & Staff, MyClassmates and my family.

n Jocelyne Brown Sims is a sophomorestudent from Hattiesburg.

Cheers to graduating class;personal thanks to faculty

Brown Sims

By JESSICA THERIOTThe Drawl Staff Writer

Are you thinking about owning your ownbusiness? Are you planning to work for a com-pany and deal with marketing, advertising, fi-nancing, or management? Are you going to col-lege for any of the above careers?

If so, I have great news for you.Maybe you just thought you’d go

to college, take the necessary classes,get your degree, and then find a placeof employment, but did you knowthat Pearl River Community Collegeoffers so much more?

If you follow news on PRCC’sFacebook, website, or other socialmedia pages, you may have heard ofa national student organization calledCollegiate DECA.

Collegiate DECA is dedicated toenhancing the skills of emerging leaders and en-trepreneurs, and it has done just that for me. Thisorganization has provided me with valuablebusiness, marketing, and selling knowledge thatI will carry with me for my future career.

DECA has inspired me in my future endeav-ors and has given me student connectionsaround the world, great networking opportuni-ties, and has provided me with essential skillssuch as; social skills, interviewing skills, timemanagement, problem solving, and promotionalskills.

DECA, for a low membership fee, can bringthe same great aspects for you as well, plusmore. DECA has also given me the opportunityto travel and see great things.

Being a member of DECA for just two yearsnow, I have traveled to Natchez, Memphis,Orlando, Fla., where the college paid for a trip to

Universal Studios, plus all trip fundsincluding airfare, hotel room etc.

Last but not least, this year’s trip toWashington, D.C., where patriotismis unignorable and cherry blossomsbloom beautifully.

DECA has given me a truly beauti-ful experience and I encourage all stu-dents to get more involved at PearlRiver Community College.

Even if DECA is not for you, find astudent organization or sport and be-long to it.

Getting ready to graduate, I canhonestly say that Pearl River CommunityCollege is a great college that opened manydoors for me, and DECA is an organization thatwill forever stay in my heart and be a part of mycharacter.

To find out more information about joiningDECA, I encourage you to speak with Mrs.Katie Davenport a marketing and managementinstructor and DECA advisor atkdavenport@prcc.edu

n Jessica Theriot is a sophomore studentfrom Poplarville.

DECA, PRCC openedso many doors for me

Theriot

By VICTORIA VALLIANTThe Drawl Staff Writer

So what happens when you get to campus onAwards Day, and you remember that you’reslated to get one of the major awards onlyyou’re wearing a tank top and leggings?

To make matters worse, you’vejust moved out of your apartment,and all of your clothes are thrown ina suitcase in the trunk of your car.

Well, you could burst into tearsand run away, or you could take adeep breath, and remember thatsome very generous and thoughtfulPRCC faculty have graciously do-nated a treasure closet full of profes-sional clothing. That’s right!

You get to go shopping on campusfor free without having to leave theschool parking lot.

That’s because a former College Projectbegun by Forrest County Center’s Phi ThetaKappa chapter has been picked up by MuAlpha Theta Math Honor Society.

Jackie Runnels and Toni Clark hold the keyfor this endeavor called “Dress for Success.”

Ms. Runnels, chair of the math department,says that the purpose of the closet is “to pro-vide professional type clothing to help our stu-

dents dress properly for interviews, speaking atfunctions, or receiving recognition at publicevent.”

Faculty may contribute by donating slightlyworn professional clothing, by making one-time monetary gifts, or by signing up for pay-roll drafting. The project targets students in

technical programs as well as mem-bers of student organizations andhonor students.

Anyone who wants further detailsshould contact Jacki Runnels, jrun-nels@prcc.edu or Toni Clark,tlclark@prcc.edu.

Based on this reporter’s personalexperience, the “Dress for Success”program is awesome! Once youenter, you may select from morethan one rack of blouses, slacks,skirts, etc. There is even a table of

shoes from which you may make aselection.

There is a wide variety of styles available forevery taste and quite a few sizes. Men’s profes-sional clothing is available as well.

Just don’t get carried away and shop for toolong. You might miss your award ceremony.But you will be well-dressed.

n Victoria Valliant is a sophomore stu-dent from Carriere.

Valliant

‘Dress for Success’Sometimes it can come in handy

Above, Sam Glorioso ofPicayune buries instructorJim Walsh’s face in a whipcreme pie to raise moneyfor Backpack Buddies ofPoplarville on May 2. Left, Spanish instructor RobinNix braces as Alexis Tynesof Poplarville hurls a pie ather. The Leadership Classheld the pie-your-teacherevent to raise money forBackpack Buddies.

N E W SThe DRAWL May 2016 • Page 3

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n FROM page 1“I was a bit nervous at first,

but the crowd was very re-sponsive, so that calmed mynerves pretty quickly,” shesaid. “Everyone seemed veryimpressed by the efforts IotaMu made to spread awarenessabout the prevention of un-planned pregnancy. I was veryfortunate to take part in thecampaign and even more for-tunate to present a summary ofour project.”

Beta Tau Gamma was recog-nized in the top three for theHonors in Action ThemeAward (Theme 8: ExploringPolitical Economy) and in thetop 20 for the Honors in ActionProject Award.

Ruckel and Dr. RyanRuckel, her husband and co-advisor for Beta Tau Gamma,presented “Motivating andEngaging Students: TheStruggle is Real” at an educa-tional forum and led the

Mississippi/Louisiana Region-al Meeting.

Ryan Ruckel is the regionalcoordinator and Terri Ruckel isassociate regional coordinator.

Representing the Iota Muchapter at the conventionalong with Warren and Leewere Belle Failla of Picayune,Jared Smith and SethBowman, both of Poplarville,Samuel Bond of Lumberton,Katherine Johnson ofTylertown and Dr. JustinWilliamson, advisor.

Representing the Beta TauGamma chapter were BrendanMassey, Jay Carney, JocelynneBrown Sims, Rachel Carraro,Brianna Dillon and BarbaraGipson, all of Hattiesburg;Evan Thornton of Collins,Tyler Abney of Purvis, JohnGraves of Bassfield, DerrickHarvey of Dixie, VictoriaValliant of Picayune, advisorDr. Jennifer Mraz, chaperoneMissy Graves and the Ruckels.

PTK AWARDS

n FROM page 1n Joseph “Seth” Bowman of

Poplarville plans to transfer toMSU to study civil engineer-ing.n Thomas Catlett of

Hattiesburg will major inEnglish at William CareyUniversity.n Brianna Dillon of Oak

Grove plans to transfer to theMSU vet-tech program.n John Graves of Bassfield

will study polymer science atUSM.n Stanford Joseph Gwin of

Purvis plans to study engineer-ing at MSU or the Universityof Utah.n Brandon “Cayne”

Landrum of Picayune willstudy aerospace engineering atMSU.

n Natalie McCormick ofPicayune plans to transfer toMSU to major in animal anddairy sciences with a concen-tration in veterinary medicine.n Ross Savoie of Picayune

will major in mechanical engi-neering at MSU.n Jocelyne Brown Sims of

Hattiesburg plans to transfer toUSM to major in journalism.n Evan Thornton of Collins

plans to major in English atWilliam Carey University.n Victoria Valliant of

Carriere was named to thePTK All-MississippiAcademic First Team and is aJack Kent Cooke Scholarshipsemi-finalist. She plans totransfer to Louisiana StateUniversity to major in psy-chology and English.

HONORS

n FROM page 1Last year, the Brookings

Institute released its “BeyondCollege Rankings” study thatranked universities and com-munity colleges on a value-added system that measuresthe difference between actualalumni outcomes (likesalaries) and the outcomes onewould expect given a student’scharacteristics and the type ofinstitution.

For two-year colleges,PRCC was ranked third in thenation for having the highestvalue-added with respect tomid-career earnings.

Also, the Create a Careerwebsite recently ranked PRCCas 23rd on its list of the 25 BestCommunity Colleges in theUnited States.

Selection was based on eval-uation of several studies andratings of community collegesthroughout the nation, accord-ing to the website.

Factors included student re-tention rates, percentage ofstudents who graduate ortransfer to another schoolwithin three years, student-to-faculty ratios, student support,the types of programs providedand the school’s reputation.

Other honors includePRCC’s recognition as 20th in

the 2012 CNN Money list oftop community colleges, itsranking in 2013 by the AspenInstitute in the top 10 percentof U.S. community collegesand its membership in theNational Collegiate HonorsCouncil.

PRCC also was ranked inthe top 10 percent by theAspen Institute in 2012, waslisted 28th byTheBestSchools.org in 2013and is on the 2015 MilitaryFriendly Schools list.

Such recognition increasesPRCC’s visibility to highschool students using theInternet to research college op-portunities.

“It is exciting to see PRCCreceive this honor,” saidDelana Harris, PRCC directorof recruitment and marketing.

“Recognition such as thisimpacts our recruiting effortsby calling attention to the ex-cellent opportunities availableto students who enroll atPRCC. PRCC has so much tooffer, including quality aca-demics, cutting-edge pro-grams, affordable tuition andexciting student life.”

The website can be found athttp://www.stateuniversity.com/rank/score_rank_by_commc.html

BEST LIST

Dr. William Lewis, president of Pearl River CommunityCollege, congratulates Brianna Dillon of Oak Grove afterpresenting her with the Honors Institute Medallion.

Dr. Lewis presents the Honors Institute Medallion toJoseph “Seth” Bowman of Poplarville during a ceremonyon May 3. PRCC Public Relations photos

Honors Institute graduate John Graves of Bassfield acceptscongratulations from Dr. Lewis at the Medallion Ceremony.

DECA stars

The PRCC Collegiate DECA team of Jessica Theriot ofPoplarville and Corey Willis of Hancock placed top 10 inthe nation in Sports Entertainment Marketing at theInternational Career Development Conference inWashington, D.C. in April. They competed against 40teams from universities in the U.S. as well as studentsfrom Canada and Mexico.

Mu Alpha Theta at the Forrest County Centerparticipated for the first time this year in theStudent Math League competition, placing 16thout of 20 in the Southeast Region in two roundsof competition.

Sponsored by the American MathematicalAssociation of Two Year Colleges, the competi-tion involves more than 164 community col-leges in the nation and Bermuda. Students takepaper exams in the fall and the spring with teamscores calculated by adding the scores of the topfive team members.

The fall team of John Graves of Bassfield,Dana Jones of Texarkana, Ark., Tameia Mackand Henry Yoon, both of Hattiesburg, ranked17th out of 20 in the region.

Joining Graves and Mack on the spring teamwere Danielle Aultman of Seminary, TaterrickaHarper of Bassfield, Forrest Pinson, MeagenScott and Stanford Joseph Gwin, all ofHattiesburg. They ranked 14th out of 20.

“This competition is national and will be verygood for resumes and applications for futurescholarships,” said sponsor Sharon Clark. “Thisis one way our chapter of Mu Alpha Theta is at-tempting to better prepare students for their fu-ture.”

The Mu Alpha Theta chapter will providehonor pins to members who are graduating thissemester - Graves, Jones, Candy Clark ofPetal, Barbara Gipson of Hattiesburg and Evan

Thornton of Collins.n Brendan Massey of Hattiesburg and

Justyce Moffett of Purvis have received $150cash book scholarships through the Louisiana-Mississippi Mathematical Association of TwoYear Colleges (LaMsMATYC).

As host campus for the association’s annualmeeting in October 2015 at the Forrest CountyCenter, PRCC received the annual, one-timebook scholarship.

Forrest County Center faculty who are mem-bers established the criteria for eligibility forthe scholarship: Enrolled in a college-levelmath course at Forrest County Center, not a re-cipient of scholarships or grants and a mini-mum GPA of 3.0. Massey and Moffett werechosen from six students who submitted appli-cations.

F O R R E S T   C O U N T Y   C E N T E RThe DRAWLMay 2016 • Page 4

Massey Moffett

Students in Pearl RiverCommunity College’s physicaltherapist assistant’s program atthe Forrest County Center re-cently learned first-hand aboutsome of the challenges theirclients face, and that they willencounter once they enter theworkforce.

Freshmen PTA students ar-rived at Turtle Creek Mall tolearn empathy for those pa-tients they will teach to use anassistive device for mobility.Crutches, walkers, hemi-walk-ers and wheelchairs were used.

“Each student used one typeof assistive device for an hourand then a different assistivedevice for another hour,” saidPatti Scuderi, chair of theDepartment of PhysicalTherapist AssistantTechnology.

“During the two-hour peri-od, the students were instruct-ed to get lunch at the foodcourt and maneuver throughstores and the restroom whileusing the assistive device cor-rectly. Not long into the firsthour, it was quickly realized bymost students that using assis-tive devices requires musclesthat are not ordinarily used.

Thus, those muscles fatiguedquickly and some studentsstated they were already sorefrom using the assistive de-vice.”

Said one student, “It’s justnot that easy when you have towalk with a walker or crutchesand only use one leg for a longperiod of time. We need to bemindful of that when we teachour patients how to use thesedevices.”

The physical therapist assis-tant’s program at PRCC is atwo-year program of study thatprepares students to workwithin the practice of physicaltherapy under the supervisionof a physical therapist.

PTAs are employed in hos-pitals, clinics, rehabilitationcenters, extended care facili-ties, home health agencies andother health care settings.

“Most people have playedaround on crutches and in awheelchair, but do it for such abrief period of time they reallyget no sense of how difficult itis when an assistive device isrequired for functional mobili-ty,” said Scuderi. “Our PTAstudents now know just howdifficult it is.”

PTA freshmen students from left: Front row - ShelbySterling of Liberty, Courtney Wilson of Inverness,Mercedes Brown of Prentiss, Scott Cavanaugh ofSaucier, Jana Morgan of Osyka and Kristen Byrd ofSummit, Alex Domino of Indianola and Macy Barksdale ofColumbus. Second row - Linzy Kline of Picayune, Hunter

Phillips and Mark Monton of Hattiesburg, CarrvennaMaddox of Hattiesburg, Victoria Garner of Foxworth, ErinLittle of Petal, Berkley Warnick of Aberdeen and ShannonTaylor of Purvis. Back row - Cory Johnson of Hattiesburg,Jessica Nobles of Gulfport and Francis Johnson of MossPoint.

She said PTAs enjoy a rap-idly growing profession andadmission to the program isselective and competitive.Upon satisfactory completionof the program, students earnthe Associate in AppliedScience degree and are eligi-

ble for state licensing.Average salaries in theHattiesburg area are $43,000to $50,000 per year.

The Occupational OutlookHandbook(www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm) lists PTAs as

the third fastest growing oc-cupation between 2014-2024,with the median pay of$54,410 in 2014.

The handbook also listsphysical therapists as theeighth fastest growing occu-pations during the same time

period.n To learn more about the

PTA program, go to the PTAhomepage at:

http://www.prcc.edu/ca-reer-tech/physical-therapist-assistant or call 601-554-5486.

PTA students get some first-hand experience

Mu Alpha Theta team placesin regional math competition

2016 Spring Fling

Forrest County Center stu-dents took time to enjoy heannual Spring Fling on arainy April 13. Above, respi-ratory care technology stu-dents, from left, K’DriannaMcNair of Hattiesburg,Destiny Broome ofBaxterville, Bridget Orr ofPoplarville and Renee Pharrof Hattiesburg sing while stu-dents enjoyed free pizza inthe multi-purpose room.Right, Michelle Wilson-Stokes (left), special popu-lations coordinator, sings aduet with student MarthaDaniel of Columbia.

The science and health club held a chin-up competition as a way to raise funds duringthe Spring Fling. PRCC police chief Adam Parker watches as students Kenya Dees (left)and Grady Slade (right), both of Hattiesburg, try their hand at chin ups.

Forrest County Center fac-ulty and students paid $5for the opportunity to smackDr. Jana Causey, vice presi-dent for Forrest CountyOperations, in the face witha pie. Other members of thefaculty took their turns in thehot seat as well.PRCC Public Relations pho-tos

By RACHAEL CARRAROSpecial to The Drawl

The Social Sciences Club atthe Forrest County Center wascreated to encourage studentsto develop an active thirst forknowledge in all fields, partic-ularly in the social sciences(e.g. psychology, social work,counseling, sociology, anthro-pology, criminal justice, neu-roscience, etc.).

The Social Sciences Cluboffers students the opportunityto meet and collaborate oncampus with the goal of en-gaging in social and serviceopportunities for the better-ment of Pearl RiverCommunity College and thesurrounding community.

An additional goal of thisorganization is to provide stu-dents with the opportunity todevelop experience and con-nections with leaders in thefield through guest lectures,campus visits to local collegesand universities, and serviceopportunities.

Lastly, an additional goal ofthe Social Sciences Club is tooffer a one-time scholarship toone graduating sophomorewho is an active member ofthe organization.

Freshman Rachael Carraro (right) discusses the formationof a new Social Sciences Club at the Forrest CountyCenter in the fall 2016 semester.

Membership is open to anystudent enrolled at Pearl RiverCommunity College who iscurrent on membership duesand is willing to attend clubmeetings and events.

New meetings will begin inthe Fall 2016 semester andwill likely occur approximate-ly every two weeks.

There are four officer posi-tions within the club; they are:

President (Rachael Carraro);Vice President (VictoriaValliant); secretary (Vacant);and public relations liaison(vacant).

Faculty Advisors for theclub are Dr. Aaryn Purvis, Dr.David Bunch, and Dr. RudyGatlin.

Students who are interestcan contact Dr. Bunch atdbunch@prcc.edu

Plans in works for newSocial Sciences Club

Poetry cafe

PRCC student Christian Davis of Hattiesburg reads some of his poetry writings during the13th annual Poetry Cafe at the Forrest County Center.

F O R R E S T   C O U N T Y   C E N T E RThe DRAWL May 2016 • Page 5

Sigma Kappa Delta, Pearl River Community College’s English Honor Society, AlphaEpsilon chapter, held its induction ceremony March 28 at the Forrest County Center.Inductees included, seated from left, James Carney, Summer Mitchell and AlisonMcIntyre, all of Hattiesburg; Jessica Massey of Taylorsville, Barbara Gipson, RachaelCarraro and Alexesia Williams, all of Hattiesburg; second row, Christopher Cole Yates ofPetal, Aaron Robinson of Hattiesburg, Shelby King of Sumrall, Heather Hilburn ofBuckatunna, Marlee Orrels of Hattiesburg, Emily A. Gardner of Prentiss, faculty advisorDr. Terri Ruckel; third row, faculty advisors Dr. Ryan Ruckel, Dr. Dan Childers andHeather Peerboom, secretary Victoria Valliant of Carriere, president Tyler Abney ofPurvis, vice president Brianna Dillon of Hattiesburg and faculty advisor Greg Underwood.

Sigma Kappa Delta

The Hattiesburg Women’s Club presented a $500 scholarship to Pearl River CommunityCollege student Annie Leon of Picayune at the Forrest County Center. Leon is a fresh-man student in the Office Systems Technology department and a member of Phi ThetaKappa. On hand for the presentation were from left: Debbie Ferrill, chair of the office sys-tems technology department; Leon, Margaret Thomas, president of the HattiesburgWomen’s Club; and Amy Smith, office systems technology instructor. Leon’s scholarshipwill be for the 2016 fall semester.

Women’s Club scholarship

Literary Jeopardy!

PRCC students Rachael Carraro (left) and Jocelyne Brown Sims, both of Hattiesburg, of-fered some suggestions to help students.

On April 28 at the Lowery Woodall AdvancedTechnology Center, the Honors Sociology 1213Community Involvement class conducted apanel presentation and discussion on the topic:“Homelessness Risk Factors: Pearl RiverCommunity College Solutions.”

Faculty and administrators from PRCC, alongwith some community members, made up theaudience as the panel of students provided in-formation about their research into this award-winning Honors in Action project, which wasrecognized recently at the Phi Theta Kappameetings in Washington, D.C.

Students offered suggestions as to how PRCCmight move forward with this important andpositive college involvement in our community.

“During this semester, our Honors Sociologyclass conducted research, participated in muchclass discussion, and has continued an involve-ment with our local homeless community,” saidDr. Ryan Ruckel, who along with Drs. Aaryn

Purvis and Terri Ruckel, served as advisors.“Our continued work with the homeless pop-

ulation has allowed us to look in depth intosome risk factors of homelessness. As a class,we believe many of our own Pearl River stu-dents experience and deal with some of theserisk factors that may lead a PRCC student to be-come homeless.”

Students presented some overall risk factorsof homelessness. Videos were shown of PRCCstudents who have experienced homelessness.Students then presented their ideas of howPRCC can help students with some of these riskfactors.

“Their suggestions included things like foodbank, ride share program, mental health coun-seling, among others,” said Dr. Purvis.

Kenneth Thronson from Lighthouse RescueMission also spoke about his experience in thisclass as well as his experience working withLighthouse.

Student project: Homelessness an issue; solutions offered

PRCC students Joseph Austin (left) and Christian Davis presented their project findingsto the audience.

The Forrest County Center of Pearl RiverCommunity College presented awards to topstudents on May 2.

The Citizenship Award went to JamieMassengale of Hattiesburg.

Members of the Beta Tau Gamma chapter ofPhi Theta Kappa at Pearl River CommunityCollege were recognized with one of 20Distinguished Chapter Awards duringNerdNation, PTK’s international convention,held in April.

“To be considered for this award, our chaptersubmitted entries for both the Honors in ActionProject and College Project,” said Dr. TerriRuckel, one of the Beta Tau Gamma advisors.

Dr. Doug Donohue also recognized Phi ThetaKappa and Honors College sponsors:

Dr. ohn and Susan Donohue, Drs. Terri andRyan Ruckel, Southern Bone and JointSpecialists, Honeybaked Ham of Hattiesburg,Carraro Construction, Boe Farms, Forrest andLamar Boards of Supervisors, The JamesAgency Nationwide Insurance, Drs. AarynPurvis, Rudy Gatlin, Jennifer Mraz, Jana Causeyand Douglas Donahue, and Mecklin Stevens,Kirk Powell and Missy Graves.

Subject area awards went to:n Biological sciences - Samantha Jackson of

Greene County. n Chemistry - Brandon Grayson of

Hattiesburg.n Communications - Meaghan Holsen of

Hattiesburg. n Computer science - Angela Brownlee of

Hattiesburg.nCriminal justice, academic - Olivia Johnson

of Greene County. n Criminal justice, technical - Scott Patterson

of Sumrall.n Dental assisting technology - Stacy

Everhardt Gonzalez of Poplarville. n Dental hygiene technology - Andrea

Donovan of Gulfport.n Electronics technology - Joe Delcambre of

Hattiesburg. n English -Victoria Valliant of Carriere.n Fine arts - Will Curtis of Hattiesburg.nGeography - Joyce Dawkins of Hattiesburg.

n Health care data technology - KarenBennett of Hattiesburg.n Heating, air condition and refrigeration -

Chandler Fairley of Purvis. n History -Tyler Abney of Purvis.n Mathematics - Justina Boles of Opelousas,

La.n Medical laboratory technology - Brittany

Simpson of Petal.n Medical radiologic technology - Jazmyn

Ladner of Hancock County. n Occupational therapy assistant - Karly

Slade of Poplarville.n Office systems technology - Abbie

McMahon of Petal.n Philosophy/religion - Kevin Craft of

Hattiesburg.n Physical therapist assistant technology -

Catherine Crutcher of Hattiesburg. n Psychology - Rachael Carraro of

Hattiesburg.n Practical nursing - Boqin Hu of State Line. n Spanish - Terri McFarlin of Hattiesburg.nSociology - Alison McIntyre of Hattiesburg. n Welding - Willie Mitchell of Hattiesburg.n Creative Writing: First - Samantha Jackson

of Neely, second - Kacey Toney of Purvis, third -Nathan Claret and Axel B. Doyle, of Hattiesburg.n Who’s who - Sandra Silvain, Leslie

England, James Massengale, Brianna Dillon,Jocelyne Brown Sims, Lynnessa Best, MeaghanHolsen, Regan Brown, Kayla Theodore,Rebecca Farmer, Thomas Catlett, Kevin Craft,Rebecca Applewood and Dana Jones ofHattiesburg; Zachary McPhail, Greg Myers,Stanford Gwin, Tyler Abney and BarbaraGipson of Purvis.

Evan Thornton and Kayla Graves of Collins,Elna Gamer and Rhegan Seymour of Petal,Victoria Valliant and Katelyn Briggs of Carriere,Lauren Robinson of Magee, Cheyenne Baker ofBeaumont, Cindy Le of Ocean Springs, AnnaWren of Oxford, Kevin Jarrell of Tylertown,Hannah Landrum of Columbia.

Tierney Manning of Sumrall, Julie Laird ofBrookhaven, John Graves of Bassfield, MirandaFazende of Poplarville and Andrea Donovan ofGulfport.

Awards Day recognizesstudents’ performance

On April 26, Sigma Kappa Delta presented the first annual Literary Jeopardy game at theForrest County Center. Three faculty-student teams competed. The team of instructorGreg Underwood (below left) and student Samantha Jackson (second from right) ofGreene County finished first. They are pictured with SKD advisors Heather Peerboomand Dr. Dan Childers.

Dr. Ryan Ruckel presentedthe Citizenship Award awardto Jamie Massengale.

Dr. Ryan Ruckel presentedthe History award to TylerAbney of Purvis.

Dr. Rudy Gatlin presentedthe Fine arts award to WillCurtis of Hattiesburg.

Christina Rahaim presentedthe Spanish award to TerriMcFarlin of Hattiesburg.

David Bunch presented thePsychology award to Rach-ael Carraro of Hattiesburg.

Tim Pulver presented theOTA award to Karly Sladeof Poplarville.

Amy Smith presented theOffice systems award toAbbie McMahon of Petal.

Dr. Melissa Bryant presentedthe practical nursing awardto Boqin Hu of State Line.

Dr. Terri Ruckel presentedthe English award to VictoriaValliant of Carriere.

Doug Donohue presentedthe Math award to Just-inaBoles of Opelousas, La.

Instructors Randy Johnson (left) and Dr. Robby Johnson(right) presented the criminal justice awards to ScottPatterson (second from left) and Olivia Johnson.

N E W SMay 2016 • Page 6 The DRAWL

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The Pearl River Community College cheer“Roll River Roll” took on new meaning April12 with the unveiling of a bicyle/tricycle loanprogram.

Through a $198,171 grant from the BlueCross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation,the PRCC Wellness Center bought 50 Cruiserbikes, 10 fat tire bikes and 10 tricycles to beused by students, faculty and staff.

“Health and wellness is an important part ofwhat we do here at Pearl River CommunityCollege,” said Dr. William Lewis, president.“We’ve got the wonderful Wellness Center thatallows you to participate in these programs.”

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of MississippiFoundation has been supporting the WellnessCenter since 2012 when it awarded $286,270 toPRCC to replace outdated equipment and con-struct an outdoor walking track.

The grant was the first to be awarded to acommunity college by the foundation.

In addition to the bicycle program, the mostrecent grant allows PRCC to offer two summercamps for elementary school children, helpwith the “Get Ready to Run” school program inPoplarville elementary schools and make nu-merous purchases, including outdoor exerciseequipment and balance ball desk chairs.

“Our foundation has a vision of a healthyMississippi,” said Sheila Grogan, executive di-rector of the foundation. “We have a statedfocus on our schools, our communities, our uni-versities and our colleges. We want to buildcampus cultures of health and wellness.”

Students were able to check out bicycles atthe Wildcat Den bookstore starting April 13.Each cycle comes with a helmet and a lock, andparking racks have been installed across cam-pus, said Dr. Tara Rouse, director of the PRCCWellness Center.

“We hope all of y’all will take advantage ofthis,” Rouse said.

Left, Sheila Grogan, execu-tive director of the BlueCross Blue Shield ofMissisisppi Foundation,speaks during the WildcatWellness Bike Kickoff onApril 12 at Dobie HoldenStadium at Pearl RiverCommunity College.Listening is Dr. Tara Rouse,PRCC Wellness Center di-rector. Above, PRCC stu-dents try out the bicyclesand tricycles during theWildcat Wellness BikeKickoff.PRCC Public Relations

photos

PRCC students, faculty rolling across campus

Three Pearl River Community College cheer-leaders and the mascot will be on the sidelines ofNCAA Division One games next year.

Corey Willis, 21, of Carriere and WillHolliday, 19, of Poplarville made the purplecheerleading squad at Louisiana StateUniversity, Jerrod Newson, 20, of Columbia willbe cheering for Nicholls State University andKatherine Johnson, 20, of Tylertownwas selected as a Bully at MississippiState University.

“I just love mascoting,” she said.Johnson has been PRCC’s W.C.Rivers mascot for the past two yearsand appointed herself as the WestMarion High School mascot after shewas asked to wear the costume for anevent at the elementary school.

“I just kept the suit and showedup,” she said.

Willis and Holliday are part of a24-couple team of LSU cheerleadersdivided into the white, purple and gold squads.

“Purple is pretty good, advanced,” Willis said.“Gold is elite.”

The two expect to improve individual skills -Holliday in stunting and Willis in tumbling - dur-

ing the summer and move up to the gold squad.“It’s fun,” Holliday said. “We’re both huge

LSU fans.”All three will receive scholarships to continue

their education.Johnson was one of six who tried out for three

openings among MSU’s squad of six Bullys. Allsix appear at home football games, rotating in

pre-game, game and post-game ap-pearances. They also travel to awayfootball games and appear at homebasketball games and home SECbaseball and softball games.

Johnson, an education psychologymajor, was elected Miss PRCC thissemester, was a sophomore maid inthe 2015 Homecoming Court and hasbeen active in Phi Theta Kappa andthe Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Willis and partner Jessica Theriotrecently placed in the top 10 in na-

tional DECA competition after win-ning the state sports marketing category.

Newson was Mr. PRCC in 2015, has served asa Student Government Association officer andresidenct hall assistant as well as a Wildcatcheerleader.

Left photo, Will Holliday ofPoplarville, left, and CoreyWillis of Carriere will becheering for LSU next year.Above, Katherine Johnson ofTylertown was selected asone of Miss. State’s mascots.

PRCC cheer memberscheering at LSU, MSU

End of Year cookout

Above, James Bailey ofPearl draws back to test hispower on the game provid-ed by the Magnolia GoldNational Guard program forthe End of the Year cookouton April 26. Right, MichaelaAndrews of Foxworth, left,and Jenna Lee of Picayuneoperate the cotton candytable at the cookout. Below,students try their hands at agame of volleyball.PRCC Public Relations pho-tos

Trip to Big Apple

A group of PRCC faculty and students spent the week of spring break (March 11-15) tour-ing New York City. The group included faculty members Cheri Alder, Drs. Barbara Gandyand Rudy Gatlin. The students were Roscoe Tisdale of Hattiesburg, Adam Engle and WillCurtis of Purvis and Kari Wilson of Petal. The group had dinner at Carmines Italianrestaurant, ate cheese cake at Carloís Bakery and saw the Lion King performance. Theyalso visited Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, as well as the Empire State building, theMuseum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Art Museum, and other museums.

By TONIA MOODYDirector of Admissions and Records

I recently heard it said, “If you’re not aging,you’re dead.”

None of us like to face the fact that we are get-ting older, but aging is a privilege that we have.Not everyone has the opportunity to get old. Thelifestyle decisions we make every day, especiallyin our younger years, influence our overall healthand longevity.

Choosing a healthy lifestyle will lead to alonger, happier, healthier life.

While some of these changes can be challeng-ing to implement, there are a variety of areas wecan focus on to help work toward the end goal ofoptimal health. Adding these important thingsinto our daily lives when we are young makesaging go more smoothly.

Good nutrition is important to maintainingyour weight. You should make sure your diet isfilled with healthy choices that include all thefood groups such as fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy.

Each one of these foods contains vitamins andminerals which will help you stay in good phys-ical health and are critical to proper nutrition.Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, min-erals, fiber, and are low in calories. They make aperfect in-between snack.

Water is also essential to achieving a healthydiet. Water is your body’s principal chemicalcomponent and makes up about 60 percent of ourbody weight. According to the Mayo Clinic, menshould drink 13 cups of water and women drinkabout nine cups of water a day.

Physical activity is beneficial to your physicaland mental health. Physical activities help pre-vent chronic diseases, improve your mood, in-crease your energy level, and improve your qual-ity to sleep. Not to mention helps to manage yourweight.

You don’t have to train for a marathon or

triathlon to get exercise; many daily activitiessuch as walking the dog, gardening, going for abike ride, or walking on the treadmill count asgood physical exercise.

Find an activity that you enjoy, get a friend toparticipate with you and hold each other account-able to exercise regularly.

Rest is essential to our health. It may seem ob-vious that sleep is beneficial, but how many of usactually get the sleep we need? When the batteryruns low on your phone or tablet, you plug it into recharge. Sadly, many of us don’t realize wecan do the same for our bodies with a little rest.

Everybody needs sleep. The average amountof sleep for adults is between six and eight hours.When we sleep, we repair, refresh and rejuvenateour bodies. Sleep is related to memory functionand regulates our mood as well.

Not getting enough rest can negatively affectour mood, immune system, memory and stresslevel. Rest is more than sleep. We should maketime for some downtime. Do something like takea leisurely walk or sit on a park bench and read agood book.

Good relationships are vital for good health.Research has proven that the quality of our rela-tionships has an enormous impact on our physicalhealth. Good relationships make you feel secure,happy, loved, respected and free to be yourself.

Relationships can be challenging and some-times exhausting. People with poor relationshipsare more likely to suffer from depression andloneliness.

Lastly, laughter just may be the medicine toput the spring back in your step. When youlaugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally,it induces physical changes.

Laughter can stimulate organs with the oxygenrich air that stimulates the heart, lungs and mus-cles.

If you adopt a healthy lifestyle early, beforeproblems start, you will likely be rewarded withmany years of feeling young and looking it too.

Pillars for healthy lifestyle

Newson

N E W SMay 2016 • Page 7The DRAWL

Nearly 50 percent of our students are transfers, so we understand where you’re coming from and where you want to go.

Southern Miss is the next step in your journey.

AA/EOE/ADAI 73620.5016 10.15

View majors and degree plans:

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Apply for admission:

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The WildcatWay

Pride RespectClass Character

Freshmen, sophomore class favorites elected

Two top students who are also involved inathletics at Pearl River Community Collegehave been elected Mr. and Miss PRCC.

Zachary Todd Boone of Sandy Hook is Mr.PRCC and Katherine Elise Johnson ofTylertown is Miss PRCC.

Sophomore class favorites on the Poplarvillecampus are Belle Failla of Picayune and JoshuaNeal of Purvis; Mella Stokes of Hattiesburgand Tyler Abney of Purvis, Forrest CountyCenter; and Ashley Taylor of Kiln andChristopher Edenfield of Diamondhead,Hancock Center.

Freshman class favorites are Mary Kate Lottof Purvis and Eli Arcement of Kiln, Poplarvillecampus; Alexis Pickens and Kevin Craft, bothof Hattiesburg, Forrest County Center;Samantha Hipps of Pearlington and JuwanHollins of Waveland, Hancock Center.

Boone, 19, is the son of Stacey and VickiBoone of Sandy Hook. A graduate of ColumbiaHigh School, he is a pitcher on the Wildcatbaseball team, a member of the Fellowship ofChristian Athletes leadership team and PhiTheta Kappa scholastic honor society.

He plans to attend Mississippi StateUniversity to pursue a degree in chemical engi-neering.

Johnson, 20, has been the Wildcat mascot,W.C. Rivers, for two years. The daughter ofBrett and Susan Johnson of Tylertown, she is agraduate of West Marion High School andplans to study educational psychology at MSU.

She is a member of the FCA leadership team,PTK vice president of fellowship and an orien-tation leader.

Johnson was a sophomore maid in the 2015Homecoming court and freshman class presi-dent.

Failla, 21, is the daughter of David and CindyFailla of Picayune. A graduate of Mother ofDivine Grace, she is co-president of PTK and amember of the Student Alumni Association,first runner-up in the Miss PRCC Wildcat pag-eant and a sophomore maid in the 2015Homecoming court.

She was named to the All-Mississippi PhiTheta Kappa Academic Second Team and wasPRCC’s student honoree at HEADWAE eventsin Jackson.

She plans to return to PRCC next year beforetransferring to MSU to study mechanical engi-neering.

Neal, 20, is the son of William and CheriNeal of Purvis. He is a member of theRiverRoad showchoir and PRCC Singers choirand a peer leader in the Student Success Center.He plans to participate in the Disney CollegeProgram before transferring to the University

of Southern Mississippi to study secondaryEnglish education.

He is a graduate of Purvis High School.Lott is the 19-year-old daughter of Matt and

Amy Lott of Purvis. A graduate of Purvis HighSchool, she is a member of the RiverNavigators recruitment team and FCA and wonthe 2016 Miss PRCC Wildcat pageant.

She plans to attend USM next year.Arcement, 18, is the son of Leslie Ladner and

Brian Arcement of Kiln. A graduate of HancockHigh School, he is a member of the Wildcatbasketball team.

He plans to return to PRCC next year.Forrest County Center

Stokes, 20, is the daughter of Trondalette andJerry Scott of Hattiesburg. A graduate ofForrest County Agricultural High School, she ispresident of the Forrest County Center StudentGovernment Association and secretary of theHistory and Humanities Club.

She plans to transfer to William CareyUniversity next year to study elementary edu-cation.

Abney, 20, is the son of Brooke Abney andNorman Abney of Purvis. A graduate of PurvisHigh School, he plans to transfer to theUniversity of Mississippi to study history andEnglish.

He is vice president of the Beta Tau GammaPhi Theta Kappa chapter, president of theAlpha Epsilon chapter of Sigma Kappa DeltaEnglish honor society, sophomore class presi-dent and a peer leader at the Student SuccessCenter.

He was named to the All-Mississippi PTKAcademic Second Team.

Pickens, 18, is the daughter of Pamela andAlbert Pickens Jr. of Hattiesburg. A graduate ofthe Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy, sheis freshman class president and was a freshmanmaid in the 2015 Homecoming Court.

She plans to return to PRCC next year with along-term goal of studying forensic sciences.

Craft, 18, is the son of Lisa and Craig Craftof Hattiesburg. A graduate of Oak Grove HighSchool, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, theBaptist Student Union and the Social ScienceClub.

He will return to PRCC next year with plansto major in psychology.

Hancock CenterTaylor, 26, is the daughter of Jennifer Jermyn

of Vancleave and Ray Taylor of Woolmarket.She is a graduate of Ocean Springs HighSchool, a member of PTK and a library assis-tant at the Hancock Center.

She plans to attend the USM Gulf Park cam-pus to study psychology.

Boone, Johnson Mr. and Miss PRCC

Class favorites at Pearl River Community College are, seated from left, Samantha Hippsof Pearlington, Hancock Center freshman favorite; Katherine Johnson of Tylertown, MissPRCC; and Alexis Pickens of Hattiesburg, Forrest County Center freshman class favorite;standing, Belle Failla of Picayune and Josh Neal of Purvis, sophomore class favorites;Mary Kate Lott of Purvis and Eli Arcement of Kiln, freshman class favorites; ZacharyBoone of Sandy Hook, Mr. PRCC; Christopher Edenfield of Diamondhead and AshleyTaylor of Kiln, Hancock Center sophomore class favorites; Mella Stokes of Hattiesburg,Forrest County Center sophomore class favorite; and Juwan Hollins of Waveland,Hancock Center freshman class favorite. PRCC Public Relations photos

Tyler Abney of Purvis, left, and Kevin Craft of Hattiesburgare the sophomore and freshman class favorites, respec-tively, at the Forrest County Center of PRCC.

Edenfield, 20, is the son ofValerie and Kenneth Edenfieldof Diamondhead. A graduate ofHancock High, he is a memberof PTK. He also plans to studypsychology at USM Gulf Park.

Hipps, 18, is the daughter ofTiffany and Paul Baughman ofLakeshore. She is a graduate ofHancock High and president ofthe Hancock Center StudentGovernment Association.

She plans to transfer toTulane to study pre-medicineafter finishing the associate’sdegree at PRCC.

Hollins, 18, is the son of TaraKutscherenko of Waveland. Agraduate of Hancock HighSchool, he is a member of PTK.

He plans to transfer to USMto study sports managementafter finishing the associate’sdegree at PRCC.

N E W SThe DRAWLMay 2016 • Page 8

$4K

$4K

$2K

Awards Day: Outstanding students recognizedPearl River Community College recog-

nized top students from the Poplarvillecampus and the Hancock Center on April26, during the annual Awards Day at theBrownstone Center for the Arts.

Dr. William Lewis, PRCC president,recognized Zachary Boone of SandyHook and Mallory Benoit of Poplarvilleas the recipients of the Mississippi StateUniversity Presidential PartnershipScholarships and Hannah Miller ofPoplarville and Leah Balli of Carriere asrecipients of the Presidential Scholarshipsfor the University of SouthernMississippi.

Lorrie Warren of Poplarville and BelleFailla of Picayune were honored for theirselection to the 2016 Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Second Team. Lewis also rec-ognized Failla as PRCC’s student honoreeat state HEADWAE events in Jackson.

Citizenship Awards went to CourtneyMorris of Carriere, academic transfertrack; Selena Morgan of Columbia, ca-reer-technical; and Kamri Jones of Bay St.Louis, Hancock Center.

Departmental and course awards werepresented as follows:n Department of Business and

Commerce Technology - Tammy Disconof Picayune, marketing management tech-nology; Shannon Fortenberry ofColumbia, marketing management tech-nology online; Brad Parker and KennyLambert, both of Poplarville, criminal jus-tice technology; Alysa Stevens ofPoplarville, health care data technology.n Department of Family and Consumer

Sciences - Alisa McGlocklin of Collins,barbering; Brelyn Hoda of Kiln, cosme-tology.n Department of Fine Arts and

Communication - Preston Humphrey ofPoplarville, ceramics; Alex Byrd ofColumbia, design; Lauren Gentry ofFlorence, music; Lyndsey Lee ofPicayune, public speaking; Brad Parker ofPoplarville, special studios.n Department of Health, Physical

Education and Recreation - KristenMartin of Oak Grove and Trevor Krol ofGulfport, scholar athletes; CiennaPearman of Carriere and Weylin Carver ofBay St. Louis, Wellness Center Wildcat.n Department of Humanities and

Social Sciences - Desiree` Drewery ofCarriere, creative writing; SheenaRancifer of Purvis, criminal justice;MeKenna Bryant of Bogalusa, La.,English; Danny Amacker of Carriere, his-tory; Elizabeth Benton of Carriere, psy-chology; Megan Stockstill of Picayune,sociology; Allison Marie Keefer ofSlidell, La., Spanish.n Department of Industrial Technology

- Caleb Kimble of Bogalusa, La, electron-ics technology; Jade Sumpter ofPoplarville, instrumentation technology.n Department of Nursing Education -

Jeffrey Marshall of Purvis, Nursing I;Ashlyn Carr of Sumrall, Nursing II;Hannah Falls of Picayune, Nursing III;Anna Delancey of Purvis, Nursing IV;Holly Cuevas of Hattiesburg, NursingLeadership; Ashley Kinney ofHattiesburg, Mississippi Nursing

Foundation; Shawan Matthews of Bay St.Louis, Practical Nursing-LPN to ADN.nDepartment of Occupational Training

- Jared Revere of Poplarville, brick, blockand stonemasonry; Caleb Morris ofSumrall, welding and cutting technology.n Department of Science, Mathematics

and Business - Aaron McKenzie ofColumbia, accounting; Lorrie Warren ofPoplarville, biology; Brian Rogers ofColumbia, business; Ashlyn Lossett ofCarriere, chemistry; Samantha Recatto ofLumberton, computer sciences; JordynMitchell of Picayune, physics; ColeWooten of Lucedale, mathematics.n Hancock Center - Samantha Hipps of

Pearlington, leadership.n Student organizations - Miranda

Woodruff of Lumberton, Skills USA.n Who’s Who in American Community

Colleges - Leah Balli, Bethany Berryman,Micah Eastridge and Anthony Williams, allof Carriere; Jason Funchess, RashawnJohnson, Jerrod Newson, Dana Peavy,Brian Rogers, all of Columbia; Tyler Cagle,Hannah Miller and Lorrie Warren, all ofPoplarville; Katelyn Ladner and JessicaStevens, both of Kiln; Carter Hankins andJoshua Neal, both of Purvis; Curtis Hart andLane Stewart, both of Gulfport; MichaelaAndrews of Foxworth, Kristen Barnes ofBay St. Louis, Ashley Briggs of McNeill,Christopher Edenfield of Diamondhead,Lauren Gentry of Florence, Kale Lancasterof Lumberton, Houston McMahon of OakGrove, Jordan Pharr of Picayune,Cassandra Rosser of Biloxi and AshleyTaylor of New Hebron.

Dr. William Lewis, second from left, president of Pearl RiverCommunity College, presented plaques to scholarship recip-ients during Awards Day on April 26. They are, from left,Zachary Boone of Sandy Hook, who received the Mississ-ippi State University Presidential Partnership Scholarship;Leah Balli of Carriere and Hannah Miller of Poplarville, re-cipients of the Presidential Scholarship Award for theUniversity of Southern Mississippi. Not pictured is MalloryBenoit of Poplarville, recipient of the MSU scholarship.

Courtney Morris of Carriere, left, received the Pearl RiverCommunity College Citizenship Award for academic stu-dents and Selena Morgan of Columbia received theCitizenship Award for career-technical students duringAwards Day on April 26.

Raymunda Barnes, assistant vice president for the PearlRiver Community College Hancock Center, presented thecenter’s Citizenship Award to Kamri Jones of Bay St. Louisduring Awards Day. PRCC Public Relations photos

Shannon Fortenberry of Columbia, second from left, re-ceived the online Marketing Management TechnologyAward and Tammy Discon of Picayune received theMarketing Management Technology Award. With them areinstructors Rebekah Jackson, left, and Katie Davenport.

Dr. Arlene Jones, director of nursing education, presentedawards to Jeffrey Marshall of Purvis, Nursing I; Ashlynn Carrof Sumrall, Nursing II; and Hannah Falls of Picayune,Nursing III. Not pictured are Anna Delancey of Purvis,Nursing IV; Holly Cuevas of Hattiesburg, Nursing Leadership;and Ashley Kinney of Hattiesburg, MS Nursing Foundation.

Karen Bond, chair of the Department of Science,Mathematics and Business, presented the ComputerSciences Award to Samantha Recatto of Lumberton andthe Mathematics Award to Cole Wooten of Lucedale.

Dr. Kyle Hill presented theDesign Award to AlexByrd of Columbia, left,and the Music Award toLauren Gentry ofFlorence. Not pictured arePreston Humphrey whoreceived the CeramicsAward, Lyndsey Lee ofPicayune, PublicSpeaking Award; andBrad Parker of Poplarville,Special Studios Award.

N E W SThe DRAWL May 2016 • Page 9

Brownstone Center membership drive for 2016-17 seasonFRIEND - $50-$149

Early Season Ticket Sales, Listing on Brownstone Website, Marquee SPONSOR $150-$299Previous Benefi ts plus Brownstone Appreciation Gift, 2 Tickets to Membership Reception

DIRECTOR $300-$499Previous Benefi ts plus 2 Tickets to 1 Premier Event

PRODUCER $500 - $999Previous Benefi ts plus Same Seats (based on Availability), 2 Tickets to 2 Premier Events

PATRON $1,000-$2,499Previous Benefi ts plus Priori-ty Parking, 2 Season Tickets

CHAIRMAN $2,500- $4,999Previous Benefi ts plus 4 Sea-son Tickets, Meet & Greets, 4 Tickets to Membership ReceptionPRESIDENTIAL $5,000 PlusPrevious Benefi ts, 8 Season Tickets and Membership Reception, 2 Parking Passes

For more information, 601 403-1180

Name ______________________________

Business/Organization _________________

___________________________________

Address ____________________________

City, State, Zip ______________________

___________________________________Phone ______________________________Email ______________________________ Membership level _____________________

Please mail form and payment to: Brownstone Center for the Arts101 Hwy. 11 NorthPoplarville, MS 39470

The PRCC Singers choir was one of four selected to perform at the Mississippi MusicEducators Association/American Choral Directors Association conference hosted by theUniversity of Southern Mississippi. The Singers, under the direction of LaDona Tyson,performed on April 1 at Main Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. The audience includedmusic educators as well as high school students selected for honor choirs. “We were selected this year from a blind audition of recordings and programs from thepast two years against all other choirs in the state that applied, including colleges anduniversities, not just community colleges,” Tyson said. “Since I have been teaching, Ihave not seen a community college choir perform at state ACDA. It is a high honor thatreflects the hard work of our students and the immense support of the PRCC administra-tion.” The other choirs that performed were Hernando Middle School, Horn Lake High Schooland Mississippi State University Men’s Chorus.

The PRCC Concert Band and Wind Ensemblepresented spring concerts on March 28 at theBrownstone Center.

The Concert Band, under the direction ofReuben McDowell, performed four selections -Critical Mass by Todd Stalter, Lassus Tromboneby Fillmore/Clark, Hymn Song Variants byRobert W. Smith and Atlantis: The LostContinent by Rob Romeyn.

The Wind Ensemble also performed fournumbers - Gavorkna Fanfare by Jack Stamp,Adagio on a Sussex Carol by Luigi Zaninelli,Song and Dance by Zaninelli and From the Eyeof the Storm by Ayatey Shabazz. The WindEnsemble is directed by Dr. Kyle Hill.

Zaninelli is retired from the University ofSouthern Mississippi and has composed morethan 300 pieces. PRCC has commissioned him towrite a piece that will be premiered in Februaryas part of Black History Month. He is married toPRCC voice instructor, Dr. Pamela Jones.

Shabazz, a Biloxi native, is an active arrangerand composer for high school and college pro-grams. He has been the arranger for the Spirit ofthe River marching band for several years.

Musicians in the Concert Band includeZhacardia McCann of Laurel, Andrea Martin ofPicayune, Rachel Johnson and Melana Callendar,both of Oak Grove, flutes; Amber Patterson ofPicayune, Sarah Smith of Poplarville, Da’QuilaBaker of Carriere and Cameron Foxworth, clar-inets; Myla Oatis of Columbia, bass clarinet;Anthony Nutter of Kiln, Jay-bre-ana Terrell ofLaurel and Larry Byrd of Picayune, alto sax;Jonathon Masters of Purvis, tenor sax; Jay Brownof Columbia, baritone sax; Ayana Williams ofGulfport Austin Rester of Poplarville and BrianRogers of Columbia, trumpet; Alex Byrd ofColumbia, Patrick Holcomb of Picyaune andAriana Thompson of Columbia, French horn;Ricky Markins of Columbia, Victoria Dewease ofPurvis, Jansen Mark of Columbia and Andrew

Smith of Poplarville, trombone; Taylor Guilloryand Sam Glorioso, both of Picayune, baritone;Morgan Echols and Justin McDonald, both ofPicayune, and Hope Cook of Columbia, tuba;Will Hinkle of Picayune, Jacob Ritchey ofPicayune, Dante` Benoit of Bay St. Louis, WasaniMartinez of Picayune, Julia Ducksworth ofLaurel and Matt Parham of Hattiesburg, percus-sion.

Members of the Wind Ensemble are KateWitsell of Poplarville, Heather Estis ofPicayune, Courtney Morris and Heavy Peavy ofColumbia, flute; Faith Prats of Columbia,Amanda Bolin of Purvis, Rebecca Armstrong ofFoxworth, Nikki Furr of Oak Grove andShakeda McGhee of Benton, clarinet; AmandaMcKeny of díIberville and Travis Stennett ofKiln, oboe; Lori Stewart of Poplarville, bassclarinet; Curtis Peters of Columbia and AlexIrias of Diamondhead, alto sax; Lauren Gentryof Florence, tenor sax; Scott Nguyen ofPicayune, baritone saxophone; Alyssa Fuller ofCarriere, Rashawn Johnson of Columbia, CurtisCrosby of Pass Christian, Katie Johnson ofPoplarville and Victoria Voss, French horn;Chase Mitchell of Hurley, Peyton Stephens ofCarriere, Seth McLain of Columbia, HowardTate of Gulfport, Alexis Tynes of Poplarville andBriton Meadows of Pass Christian, trumpet;Will Bailey of Eupora, Ryan Hodgson ofPicayune and Lane Smith of Oak Grove, bari-tone; Vincent Canoy of Pass Christian, MichaelIrving and Aaron Stockstill, both of Picayune,Candice Foxworth of Foxworth, trombone;Michael Thrash of Poplarville, Chayse Dorn ofPicayune, David Rollins of Columbia and TonyEspecto of Oceans Springs, tuba; BrandonBourgeois of Waveland, Drake McElveen ofBogalusa, La., Brantley Welsh of Petal,Elizabeth McDaniel of Sandy Hook, JalonCooper of Columbia, Robert Perry of Petal,Natalia Hampton and Aaron McKenzie, both ofColumbia, percussion.

Wind Ensemble, ConcertBand present concerts

Above, the PRCC Concert Band under the direction of Reuben McDowell performed on March 28 in the BrownstoneCenter. Below, Dr. Kyle Hill directs the PRCC Wind Ensemble during the concert.

Beauty and the Beast

The cast sings in one of the first scenes of Beauty and the Beast, presented April 14-16 in the Brownstone Center.

The Silly Girls (Caitlin Lee of Poplarville, BethanyBerryman of Carriere, Lydia Howard of Poplarville) eachwant to marry Gaston (Chase Mitchell of Wade).

Babette (Savannah Holman of Kokomo) flirts with Belle’sfather Maurice (Arnold Spiers of Carriere) shortly beforethe Beast puts Maurice in the dungeon. Lumiere (HoustonMcMahon of Oak Grove) is with them.

Belle (Courtney King of Columbia) encounters the Beast(Micah Eastridge of Carriere) for the first time.

N E W SThe DRAWLMay 2016 • Page 10

Faculty-Staff Appreciation Night

Dr. Lewis presented watches to personnel who are retiring. They are, from left, Dr. RobertEscudero, Student Support Services director; Dr. Ann Moore, Counseling Center director;Chery May, secretary for Dr. Lewis; English instructor Julia Ferguson; math instructor JudyRoane, biology instructor Stephanie Lee and David Armstrong, Forrest County Center med-ical radiologic technology chair. Not pictured are chemistry instructor Lori Gregory, shippingand receiving manager Milton Lee, computer networking instructor Ralph King and Dr. PattiScuderi, Forrest County Center physical therapist assistant director.

PRCC lapel pins were presented to employees who have been with the college for 10years. They are, from left, foundation director Ernie Lovell, Raymunda Barnes, assistantvice president for Hancock Center; Cindy Tanguis, Student Support Services secretary;Dr. Jana Causey, Forrest County operations vice president; Tonia Moody, admissions di-rector; Valerie Horne, financial aid director; public relations assistant Janet Braswell; nurs-ing instructor Candice Entrekin and Heather Benoit, Counseling Center secretary. Not pic-tured are Jason Bordelon, information technology specialist; biology instructor EmilyCarlisle, GIS training manager Troy Teadt, public safety director Doug Rowell and securityofficer Belinda Johnston.

Receiving PRCC lapel pins set with red stones to mark 15 years at the college were,from left, Dr. Robert Escudero, Student Support Services director; Judy Shaw, early child-hood education chair; Karen Bond, science, math and business chair; Dr. Melissa Bryant,practical nursing chair; Tim Pulver, Forrest County Center occupational therapy assistantchair; Ruby Smith, GED coordinator. Dr. Lewis made the presentations. Not pictured areEileen Hall, public services library assistant, and speech instructor Laura Berry.

James Bryant, Forrest County Center shipping and receiving manager, and medical officesystems technology instructor Jan Stevens received deluxe bags from Dr. Lewis to marktheir 25 years at PRCC. Not pictured is transportation manager Rick Baker.

Left photo, Dr. Lewis presented hanging and deluxe bags to English instructor JuliaFerguson and electrical technology instructor Buddy Elbers in recognition of 35 years atPRCC. Right photo, Karen Carlisle, Forrest County Center dental assisting instructor, re-ceived a weekend bag from Dr. Lewis in recognition of 20 years at PRCC. Not picturedare electronics technology instructor Lourie Barnett and masonry instructor Porter Soley.

‘A Night at The Oscars’Employees of the college came to Olivia Bender Cafeteria,walked the red carpet, dressed as their favorite movie character

Jane Russell, Carey Grant and Audrey Hepburn (Laura and Dr. Justin Williamson andStephanie Lee) on the red carpet with the E! reporter (Dr. Pamela Jones)

Alfred Hitchcock’s Birds (Michael andCynthia Schafer).

E! Entertainment reporters (Trevor Huntand Dr. Pamela Jones) greet Valerie Horneon the red carpet.

Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton (Jon andCarol Williams) on the red carpet with the E!reporter (Dr. Pamela Jones).

Ingrid Bergman (Hope Husband) on thered carpet with the E! EntertainmentNetwork reporter (Dr. Pamela Jones).

Micah Eastridge ofCarriere goes to hisknees dancing with ToniaMoody during The Voicesmedley of movie music.

Dr. William and Janet Gale Lewis check outtheir PRCC Walk of Fame stars.

E! red carpet reporter (Dr. PamelaJones) with Grey’s Anatomy starsMeredith Grey (Lauren Baker) andChristina Yang (Rachel Harris).

Cruella de Vil (Dr. Martha Lou Smith) and two of the 101Dalmations (Dr. Amy Townsend and LaDona Tyson).

C A M P U S   S C E N E SThe DRAWL May 2016 • Page 11

Above, Poplarville High stu-dent Akasha Rayford getsher nails done by PRCCcosmetology student MariaFletcher of Columbia duringPRCC’s Career TechnicalEducation Day. Watching isPRCC student CarolineSampson of Carriere. Left,PRCC cosmetology studentBrelyn Hoda of Kiln curlsCaleigh Pierce’s hair. Pierceis a student at FCAHS.Below, PRCC electricaltechnology instructor BuddyElbers demonstrates howdifferent materials conductelectricity for students fromHattiesburg and Bassfieldhigh schools.

POPLARVILLE - Approximately 300 highschool and adult education students touredPearl River Community College’s career tech-nical programs on April 5.

The annual Career Technical Education Daygives students a preview of the various one-and two-year programs offered by PRCC.

Students from Forrest County Agricultural

High School, Bassfield, Hattiesburg, PicayuneMemorial, Poplarville and Prentiss highschools attended along with students enrolledin PRCC’s adult education program.

The students heard basic information aboutPRCC, then visited the programs that interestthem. The event concluded with an informationfair and pizza lunch at Dobie Holden Stadium.

Career Technical Education previews

Students in the Pearl River Community College utility line-man program form Christmas trees on poles April 18 inrecognition of National Lineman Appreciation Day.Instructor is Randy Henry (on the ground). For informationabout the program, call 601 403-1260 or 985 991-1791.

National Lineman Day

Shoppers rush to look at items in the BSU yard sale on April 15. Proceeds from the salego to the BSU mission activities. PRCC Public Relations photo

BSU yard sale

Career-technical conference

PRCC football coach David Saunders talks with students from Bay High during theHancock County Senior Breakfast on April 26.

Raymunda Barnes, PRCC assistant vice president for the Hancock Center, talks to stu-dents from Bay High at the April 26 Hancock County Senior Breakfast.

Delana Harris, PRCC recruitment director, talks with Hancock High School seniors wait-ing in the serving line at the Hancock County Senior Breakfast.

By RAYMUNDA BARNESAssistant VP for Hancock Center

The Hancock Center awarded its CitizenshipAward this year to Kamri Jones.

Jones resides in Bay St. Louis and is a grad-uate of Hancock High. When asked about hercitizenship award, Jones states that citizenshiprequires participation in the community. Also,positive impact within the community is an-other aspect of good citizenship.

As a student at the Hancock Center, Joneshas helped lead various campus initiativessuch as the CASA Superhero 5k Run.Receiving the Citizenship Award allows her torepresent her hometown of Bay St. Louis andencourages her go further.

After completing her degree at PRCC, Jonesplans to seek a degree in Psychology theUniversity of New Orleans.n State of Mississippi First Lady Deborah

Bryant came to Hancock County in April tospeak to the graduating seniors in Hancock

County. While in town, she was treated to a private

reception by the Hancock Chamber EducationCommittee upstairs at 200 North Beach.

While there, Raymunda Barnes had an op-portunity to speak with her. “Mrs. Bryant is anexceptional lady who really promotes initia-tives that benefit Mississippians all overMississippi,” said Barnes.n Summer school is right around the corner

at the Hancock Center.Classes offered include English I and II,

World Civilization I and II, College andIntermediate Algebra, Statistics, GeneralPsychology and English and Reading Lab.

For class dates and times, visit the HancockCenter.n While visiting the Hancock Center, do not

forget to sign up for a ROAR OrientationSession.

The date is Aug. 3. The two-hour sessiontimes begin at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3p.m.

Hancock Center reportJones wins award; Mrs. Bryant speaks to seniors

Raymunda Barnes, PRCC assistant vice president for the Hancock Center, was master ofceremonies for the Hancock County Senior Breakfast honoring about 500 graduating sen-iors from Our Lady Academy, St. Stanislaus Academy, Bay and Hancock High Schools.

PRCC career technical education staff attended the Creating Futures Conference wherestudent services navigator Tina Coleman, right, discussed using the Polycom system to ex-tend classrooms to satellite locations. Pictured are, from left, Forrest County Center studentservices navigator Carol Byrd-Brown, CTE director Dr. Ed Pinero, Forrest County Center in-structor Debbie Ferrill, Dr. Scott Alsobrooks, PRCC vice president, and Scott Purdue ofPolycom.

Calendarof events

Friday, May 13: Graduation, 10a.m., White Coliseum

Monday, May 23: Summer nightclasses begin

Monday, May 30: Memorial Dayholiday; night classes meet

Monday, June 6: Summer dayclasses, four-day work schedule be-gins

Tuesday, June 7: ROAR orienta-tion for fine arts students and thosewith ACT scores over 21, 8 a.m.-3p.m., check in at Brownstone Center

Thursday, June 9: Last day forappointments at cosmetology salon

Sunday, June 12 - Thursday,June 16: Sounds of the South musiccamp

Thursday, June 16: ForrestCounty Center ROAR orientationfor students, ACT scores over 21, 8a.m.-3 p.m., check in at Building 5n Last day for barbering servicesTuesday, June 21: ROAR orien-

tation for athletes, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.,check in at Brownstone Center

Tuesday, June 28: Graduationfor barbering, cosmetology students,10 a.m., Malone Chapel

Wednesday, June 29: First termclasses end

Thursday, June 30: Second termclasses begin

Monday, July 4: IndependenceDay holiday

Tuesday, July 12: Forrest CountyCenter ROAR orientation, 8 a.m.-3p.m., check in at Building 5

N E W SThe DRAWLMay 2016 • Page 12

Pearl River Community College will holdfive Summer Kid’s College day camps in Juneand July on the Poplarville campus.

The Wildcat Way 2 Adventure camps are par-tially funded by a grant of $8,775 from theLower Pearl River Valley Foundation and willgive kids opportunities to learn about the envi-ronment, robotics, gravity and the universe, cre-ative writing and the library.

“The primary goal of the summer day campsis to provide a safe, fun and challenging campsession that will inspire participating students,create an on-going love of learning and, hope-fully, create a bridge to higher learning,” saidBrenda Wells, PRCC director of institutional re-search/director of professional and communitydevelopment.

Research has shown that children experiencelearning loss during the summer, she said. Wellsand others involved with planning the campshope they will reduce that loss.

“This grant will provide an opportunity forstudents to reinforce their education in the sum-mertime through academic day camps,” saidClyde Dease, president of the Lower PearlRiver Valley Foundation. “These camps willprovide a safe environment where students canhave fun and learn at the same time. The foun-dation looks forward to partnering with the col-lege to help students improve and retain theireducation in science, math, reading, socializa-tion and the arts.”

Registration deadline for all of the camps isMay 13. Water and fresh fruit snacks will beprovided for all camps.

The camps are as follows:n June 8 - Go-Enviro! for students in third through fifth

grades, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Technology Center multipurpose room, $15. Students will have a day of mostly out-door activities discovering which bugs are friends, how tofilter water and how to use sand to make art. Students mustbring a sack lunch and sun screen, bug spray, hat and extrasnacks are recommended.

Lead instructor will be Jeanne Allen, environmental sci-entist with the EPA Gulf of Mexico program at StennisSpace Center. Students will receive a Gulf Awareness patchfrom the EPA. Drop-off begins at 8 a.m.

n June 27-30 - LEGO! MY ROBOtics/Mindstorms AD-VENTURE for 3rd-5th grade, 8:30-11:30 a.m., TechnologyCenter multipurpose room, $85. Students will work inteams to build a LEGO robot and program activities for it.Drop-off begins at 8:15 a.m.

n June 28-30 - Discover Your Science Superpower for4th-6th grade, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Science Building, $45.Students will explore, analyze and learn about the amazingpower of gravity and static electricity, explore the magnifi-cent powers of the sun and moon and learn about insectsand reptiles. Drop-off begins at 8 a.m.

n June 29 - See You in the Funny Papers! for 7th-9thgrade, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Seal Hall Room 111, $20.Students will explore creative writing and storyboard ani-mation. Students must bring a sack lunch. Drop-off beginsat 8 a.m.

n July 1 - Library Learning Kids Adventure for first andsecond grade, 8-10 a.m., third and fourth grade, 10 a.m.-12p.m., Johnston Library, free. Students will enjoy fun read-ing activities, scavenger hunts and computer activities andreceive a copy of the book they read.

For more information, telephone BrendaWells at 601 403-1379 or 601 403-1420 or go towww.prcc.edu/camps for applications.

Clyde Dease, president of the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, presents a grant toBrenda Wells and Dr. William Lewis for Pearl River Community Collegeís Wildcat Way toAdventure summer day camps. PRCC Public Relations photo

PRCC to offer summerday camps for kids

Pearl River Community College’s first ACTBoot Camp on March 22 gave 52 high schoolstudents a head start on taking the college en-trance exam.

Dr. Jennifer Seal, a PRCC vice president andACT prep specialist, led the camp for junior andsenior high school students.

She provided the students with study guides,materials and strategies designed to help thembe successful on the test.

The same camp was held the following day atthe Hancock Center in Waveland.

Another camp will be held Monday, June 6,for junior and senior high school students andadults preparing to take the college entranceexam.

Registration deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, May13. The $45 cost includes a study guide andlunch. Participants should bring an ACT-ap-proved calculator.

The camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30p.m. in the Science Building auditorium on thePoplarville campus.

Instructor will be Dr. Seal.Registration forms can be picked up in high

school counselors’ offices, from the PRCC ad-missions office in Poplarville or fromwww.prcc.edu/community

For additional information, contact BrendaWells, PRCC director of professional and com-munity development, P.O. Box 5558,Poplarville, MS 39470; 601 403-1379.

Dr. Jennifer Seal, PRCC vice president for planning and institutional research, conductsan ACT Boot Camp for about 50 high school students on March 22. The camp was alsoheld on March 23 at the Hancock Center in Waveland.

ACT Camp gives students head start

ACT Boot Camp

Pearl River Community College will host apresentation by noted political analysts JuanWilliams and Cal Thomas just two weeks be-fore the 2016 presidential election.

Their appearance is possible with the renewalof a grant from the Lower Pearl River ValleyFoundation to PRCC for its Honors InstituteLyceum Lecture Series.

“The foundation recognizes the importance ofexposing our students and the community to in-dividuals who are accomplished in their fieldsof expertise,” said Clyde Dease, president of thefoundation. “It is often difficult, if not impossi-ble, for most of our students to travel across thecountry to see and hear these experts in person.”

Williams and Thomas will presentCrossroads: A Conversation about America’sFuture on Tuesday, Oct. 25, exactly two weeksbefore the Nov. 8 election. Both men appearregularly on Fox News.

“With the funding provided through the grant,we are able to invite nationally recognizedspeakers to our Poplarville campus,” said Dr.Stephen Black, Honors Institute director. “In thepast, these grants have allowed the HonorsInstitute the opportunity to bring speakers suchas theoretical physicist Michio Kaku and ABCnews journalist John Quinones to ourcampus.The Honors Institute has offered theseevents free of charge to the community.”

Complimentary tickets will be available amonth before the Crossroads program. A springsemester lecture will be announced later.

“The PRCC Honors Institute Lecture Seriesgives our students and community the opportu-nity to be inspired by renowned scientists andartists without leaving the community,” Deasesaid.

The 2016-17 lectures represent the third yearof the foundationís support of the series.

Clyde Dease, left, president of the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, presents a grantto Dr. Stephen Black, director of the PRCC Honors Institute for the Honors LyceumLecture Series for 2016-17. With them are Dr. William Lewis, PRCC president, and ErnieLovell, right, PRCC Development Foundation director.

Foundation renews PRCCHonors Institute grant

LPRV supports PRCC

Congratulations to Carol Williams, Public Relations/Marketing Coordinator. She was select-ed to receive the March River Rewards prize, an Outback Steakhouse gift card and anOster Ice Cream Maker, presented to her by Dr. Jennifer Seal on behalf of the RiverRewards Committee. The presentation includes LaDona Tyson (left), Instructor of Music,and Chuck Abadie (right), Director of Public Relations; both River Rewards Committee members.

March River Rewards

By JAMIE DICKSONAssistant Director/Wellness Center

Students, faculty, and staff, we have begunenrolling members for the summer semester.

We will be offering a General PhysicalEducation Activities course, or better known asPE, for anyone who would like to enroll.Enrolling in the PE course covers the cost ofyour membership.

Our summer hours will be from 6:30 a.m.until 6 p.m. on Monday through Thursday andclosed on Fridays.

Wildcat Wellness custom PRCC bike rentalprogram will continue through the summer se-mester. Enrolling in General PE is requiredupon renting a bike. Once enrolled in PE, you

can rent the bike at the Wildcat Den, located inCrosby Hall. Bike rentals are $75 for the sum-mer semester.

For those of you who are interested in groupfitness classes this summer, here is a schedule ofclass meetings:

Zumba at 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday;Pilates at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays;Silver Sneakers at 10 a.m. Mondays andWednesdays; Super Circuit at 5:15 p.m.Mondays and Wednesdays; Yoga at 6p.m.Mondays and Wednesdays.

We’ll be introducing a new class called“Pound,” beginning June 14. This class willmeet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m.

We hope to see you all this summer at thePRCC Wellness Center.

Summer Membership at the Wellness Center

River Reward winners

Dr. Lewis presents Lamar Hall head resident Johanna Peterson with the television shewon as the first place River Rewards winner for the year.

Dr. Lewis presents Forrest County Centerinstructor Amy Smith a Canon digital cam-era as the second place River Rewards win-ner for the year. Smith also won the AprilRiver Rewards prize, a 32-quart seafoodcooker.PRCC Public Relations photos

River Rewards grand prize winner MyraMiller received seven $50 gift certificates toStarbucks, Applebee’s, Olive Garden,Outback Steakhouse, Long HornSteakhouse, Cracker Barrel, and Chili’s.Dr. Lewis made the presentation. at the2016 Employee Appreciation Dinner.

N E W SThe DRAWL May 2016 • Page 13

Pearl River Community College honored fivesuccessful alumni April 7 with induction into theLifetime Achievement Hall of Fame at a dinnerin Hattiesburg.

They were Lucien Bourgeois of Madison, FredHenley of Picayune, Sonny Stuart ofJacksonville, Fla., Mike Waits of Hattiesburg andBill Watts of Houston, Texas.

In addition to recognizing the success of for-mer students, the Lifetime Achievement programpairs the honorees with the PRCC HonorsInstitute.

“What we want, ultimately, is for these peopleto be role models for our students,” said Dr.William Lewis, PRCC president. “What a greatopportunity this is for our college.”

Each year, students interview the alumni andDVDs of the interviews are kept in the HonorsInstitute library.

“Those students can listen to some real keenadvice on what it took to become successful on abig world stage,” Lewis said. The first inducteeswere honored in 2012.

Bourgeois, a native of Bay St. Louis, is a part-ner in the Butler Snow LLP law firm in Jackson,specializing in public finance and economic de-velopment. He graduated in 1967 from PearlRiver where he was sophomore class president.

“Pearl River has a special place in my heart,”he said. “We were close together, small classes.That’s important, to spend a lot of time with yourteachers. With the other people being honored,I’m privileged to be up here.”

A native of Picayune, Henley played footballand was named Most Outstanding Athlete atPearl River where he graduated in 1948. His longcareer in education included coaching and ad-ministration at Forrest County Agricultural HighSchool and Picayune where he served as superin-tendent from 1976-86.

“This has been an honor that just floored mecompletely,” he said. “I can’t say enough aboutPearl River Junior College. I spent two of thegreatest years there. It launched me on a 40-yearcareer in education. It’s a wonderful, wonderfuleducational start for anybody.”

Henley said his wife, three children and threegrandchildren are also Pearl River alumni and afourth grandchild is expected to attend PRCCwhen he graduates from high school.

Waits also played football at Pearl River, grad-uating in 1964. He has served as city engineer forHattiesburg and as engineer for the Pat HarrisonWaterway District and the state of Mississippi.He is retired from Shows, Dearman and WaitsInc. in Hattiesburg.

“My love for Pearl River Junior College goes alot deeper than football,” he said. “I was an undis-ciplined student. I was very fortunate to be at ajunior college. I had teachers who took me undertheir wings and helped me.”

Bourgeois, Henley and Waits all noted that thecollege represents more than an educational mile-stone for them because they also met their wivesat Pearl River.

Neither Stuart nor Watts were able to attend theinduction.

Stuart, a Poplarville native, practiced law for 25years and has been involved in real estate develop-ment for 37 years as president of Stuart Companyand with O’Neal Stuart Investments LLC and GulfCoast Wetlands Mitigation Answers LLC. Hegraduated from Pearl River in 1965.

Watts also played football at Pearl River in1960 and 1961 and was vice president of thesophomore class. A chemical engineer, heworked for Exxon Production ResearchCompany and as a consultant, focusing on devel-opment of complex computer programs used toforecast oil recovery.

Mike Waits of Hattiesburg, from left, Lucien Bourgeois of Madison and Fred Henley ofPicayune were inducted April 7 into the Pearl River Community College LifetimeAchievement Hall of Fame. PRCC Public Relations photo

PRCC honors fiveoutstanding alumni

BY CHUCK ABADIEDirector of Public Relations

COLUMBIA - In Pete Robbins’ words, hissure-fire formula for hitting the century markhas been “clean living.”

Robbins, Pearl River Community College’soldest living alumnus, celebrated his 100thbirthday March 14 with a celebration at FirstBaptist Church in Columbia, which he and hiswife, Grace, attend. He attended PRCC from1935-37.

What does he remember about his days atPearl River?

“I remember I lived in a dorm that was bysome chicken houses,” he said. “My favoriteprofessor was Mr. (L.M.) Greer. He taught agri-culture and we used to go out and hunt bugswith his class. He was a fine man. I enjoyed allmy teachers there.”

Robbins had a copy of his birth certificate athis birthday party. It reveals that he was born onMarch 14, 1916, in Marion County. His nameon the certificate: Fudril Lynel Robbins. Hisparents were Luther and Ottis Oswalt Robbins.His father was a farmer and died in 1961. Hismom was a housewife and died in 1980.

Research has shown that genetics play a rolein people hitting the century mark. Pete’s fami-ly is a prime example. He has one brother,Bennie, and two sisters, Modell and CharleneLimerick. Modell passed away in 2007. But 97-year-old Bennie and 88-year-old Charlene wereat Pete’s birthday party. They all went to schoolat Pearl River.

Pete smiles when he talks about what life waslike when he grew up. Woodrow Wilson waspresident when he was born, women could notvote and bread was a penny a loaf.

After graduating from Bunker Hill HighSchool, he enrolled at Pearl River in 1935, theheight of the Great Depression. Hitler was ap-pointed chancellor of Germany, movies were

black and white, and Social Security was newlycreated.

As for the biggest changes he has seen in hislifetime. “Transportation has changed so much.When I was a kid, more people traveled backand forth in a horse and buggy. But then, I havebeen able to live long enough to see what typesof transportation that we have today.”

In between birthday greetings from friendsand family, Pete talked about his life in general.After Pearl River, he served in the Navy in theSouth Pacific during World War II. When thatwas over, he went to work in the constructionindustry.

“I was a construction superintendent,” hesaid. “We built a lot of different buildings inMississippi and other states.”

Marion County has always been his home-stead. “It’s a good county to be raised in,” hesaid. “We lived a simple life. We played base-ball and played with friends. It was a good,clean life, where most of us attended church onSunday and lived how people were supposed tolive.”

When asked to explain his phrase “clean liv-ing,” he offers a couple of examples of how heavoided some of life’s vices, like smoking anddrinking.

“When I was in the service, they gave all of uscigarettes,” Pete said. “When I got out, I went tothe store to buy some cigarettes and they were15 cents a pack. I did not have any money backthen, so I never smoked again.”

As for alcohol, “I got drunk one time in mylife. It was the day they announced that the warwas over. So a bunch of us went out and got baddrunk. I felt so bad for a week after that, so I de-cided I would never do that again.

“I think a person needs to eat the right foodand should live like a fellow is supposed to.People should not go out drinking until they getdrunk. You ought to just live like a person issupposed to live.”

Pete Robbins (right) celebrated his 100th birthday March 14 with his sister, Charlene, 88,and his brother, Bennie, 97.

Pete and Grace have been married for nineyears now. His first wife died in 2005. They hada son, Paul, who died of cancer at 72.

Until recently, Pete and Grace were regularsat Pearl River’s annual Marion-Jeff Davis alum-ni fundraiser for scholarships.

They don’t travel much now. Pete’s daily rou-tine begins with breakfast and reading the news-paper, maybe watching a little television. “If theweather is nice, I go outside,” he said. “I have alittle scooter I use to ride around the yard.”

Pete, Bennie and Charlene move around withwalkers. Bennie (Benjamin Buford) was a com-bat engineer in World War II and still lives in theColumbia area. Charlene lives up near Scooba.

Even some of the glad handlers for Pete onthis day had Pearl River connections from long

ago. One was 96-year-old Elsie Warren Seal,also of Columbia. She taught school at nearbyHub for 22 years.

She attended Pearl River from 1940-42,where she met her late husband, EugeneWarren.

She played basketball. Eugene played end onthe football team and was voted most outstand-ing boy, according to the yearbook of the day,The Critique.

The 2010 Census Report shows that PeteRobbins is one of some 500 centenarians in thestate of Mississippi. How does he feel aboutthat?

He points toward Bennie, who is sitting closeby. “We will be back here again in a couple ofyears,” he said.

PRCC’s oldest living alumnus turns 100

AEOP Awards ceremony

Above left, AEOP president Tiffany McCardle presented the Administrator of the Year awardto Dr. Adam Breerwood. McCardle received the Office Professional of the Year award.Above right, Outgoing president McCardle, center, installed the 2016-17 officers for theAssociation of Educational Office Professionals - secretary/treasurer Tammy Taylor, admin-istrative assistant in the Forrest County Center business/financial aid office, and presidentMichael Schafer, FCC library assistant. Below left, the outgoing 2015-16 AEOP officers re-ceived certificates. They are, from left, president McCardle, vice president Schafer and sec-retary/treasurer Sharman Ladner. Below right, Brenda Wells presented the OfficeProfessional of the Year award to McCardle, her administrative assistant.

PRCC films chosen for Festival SouthTwo films produced by PRCC film production students have been chosen for the FestivalSouth Film Expo in Hattiesburg.

Ronn Hague, digital media coordinator in the PRCC public relations department, directedboth films for the Healthy People Now! series.

“The Hole” and “Hard Choice” will be screened during the expo, which will be held May30 through June 3 at several locations in Hattiesburg. Times and places have not been an-nounced.“Almost Mine,” a short film by PRCC alumnus Frank Ladner of Poplarville, also will bescreened at the expo.

Outstanding students in thePearl River CommunityCollege associate degreenursing program were in-ducted into the Beta Muchapter of Alpha Delta Nuhonor society on May 6, atMalone Chapel. They are,front row from left, AnnaLeigh Delancey, MeaganElizabeth Haggard, both ofPurvis, Ashley Dee Kinneyof Hattiesburg; back row,Michael Ledet Poletti,Madelyne Adele Werner,both of Carriere, andMeagan Ann Whitworth ofPicayune.

Nursing students inducted

S P O R T S

The DRAWLMay 2016 • Page 14

By STAN CALDWELLPRCC Sports Information

Pearl River Community College men’s bas-ketball coach Chris Oney said he wanted his firstrecruiting class to be based on local prospects,and so far, the results have borne that out.

PRCC announced an initial signing class ofsix players, three of whom come directly fromthe school’s six-county district, which consists ofForrest, Hancock, Jefferson Davis, Lamar,Marion and Pearl River counties.

All six come from within the state ofMississippi.

“We’re very excited about the guys we’vegot,” said Oney, who took over as the Wildcatscoach in November.

“It’s always been a priority of mine to recruitlocal kids whenever possible. They have a goodconcept of what the program is about, and theyhave a lot of friends and family that are able tocome to the games. They deserve our first look.”

Among the local kids who signed junior col-lege scholarship offers with the Wildcats wereCraig Barnes of Poplarville and Ryan McRaneyof Sumrall.

Barnes, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 14.8points and 10.5 rebounds for the Hornets thispast season, while McRaney averaged 20.5points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals agame, earning Player of the Year honors fromthe Hattiesburg American and Pine Belt Sports.

“They were the first team to recruit me,” saidMcRaney, a 6-3 shooting guard. “I liked the

coaches and the players I met. It looked goodenough for me to want to go there.”

As a hometown product, Barnes got a chanceto play some pickup games with some of the de-parting players, including PRCC sophomore All-America Darrlyn Willis.

“I liked the way he played; it’s a lot like how Iplay,” said Barnes. “I just liked everything aboutthe program. It’s got the best of everythingamong the jucos. I especially love the coliseum.”

Also joining the Wildcat program are a pair ofHolmes County products, 6-1 point guardRodney Mallett from Holmes County CentralHigh School and 6-1 shooting guard Je’VariusDixon from Durant.

Dixon averaged 19.7 points and 2.3 assists forDurant this past season, while Mallett averaged14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists for theJaguars.

Other signees for PRCC include Levi Strong,a 6-7 center from Hancock who is transferringfrom William Carey University, and J’VariThigpen, a 6-5 forward from Jackson Callaway.

Oney said he is looking to sign several moreplayers in hopes of replacing the 10 sophomoreswho are departing the program after posting a16-9 record this past season and winning back-to-back MACJC South Division championships.

“We lost so many guys,” said Oney. “Younever know how a recruiting class is going topan out until they get on campus, but this groupreminds me of the class we signed two yearsago. We’re looking forward to getting them onthe court.”

Poplarville High standout Craig Barnes (seated center) signed a junior college basketballscholarship offer to play for Pearl River Community College.

Sumrall High standout Ryan McRaney (seated, second from left) signed a junior collegebasketball scholarship offer to play for Pearl River Community College.

Barnes, McRaney headlinemen’s basketball signees

Pearl River CommunityCollege sophomore forwardDarrlyn Willis was named as athird-team All-America by theNJCAA.

Willis, a 6-foot-8 power for-ward from Madison, Wis., ledthe Wildcats to back-to-backMACJC South Divisionchampionships and 41 wins inhis two seasons with theWildcats.

“It’s amazing how quicklythese two years have passed,”said PRCC head coach ChrisOney.

“He did everything he setout to do here, except win a re-gion championship. He’s had atremendous amount of successboth on and off the court; he’sset to graduate in May, andhe’ll do well at the next colle-giate level.”

Willis, who signed inNovember to attend WichitaState, averaged 18.4 pointsand 10.8 rebounds per game inleading the Wildcats to a 16-9record in the 2015-16 season.He finished the season with 15double-doubles.

Willis named 3rd-teamNJCAA All-America

PRCC All-American forward Darrlyn Willis.

By STAN CALDWELLPRCC Sports Information

Pearl River Community College women’s bas-ketball coach Scotty Fletcher believes a lot oftravel and hard work has paid off in a signingclass that will help the Lady Wildcats climb intothe ranks of the state’s elite junior college teams.

Fletcher, who recently completed his first sea-son as the head coach at PRCC, announced thesigning of 14 players to junior college scholar-ships, including a transfer from the University ofSouth Alabama and the Player of the Year inBaldwin County, Ala.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with our first truerecruiting class,” said Fletcher. “We had a fullseason to watch players, and build relationshipswith coaches and families.”

Denosha Maye, a 5-8 guard from Bay Minette,Ala., highlights the signing class. She averaged24.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists forBaldwin County High this past season.

Also joining the PRCC program is 5-6 pointguard Rehema Franklin, who signed with SouthAlabama in 2015 after finishing at Edna KarrHigh School in New Orleans, but then left theteam before the start of the season.

Franklin averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds and 5assists as a senior at Edna Karr. She will havetwo years of eligibility remaining with PRCC.

Among the in-state players who signed withPearl River were a trio of standouts from theGulf Coast, Adyn Strickland of Harrison Central,Nicole Brock of Long Beach and AarmaniiMcDaniel of Gulfport.

Strickland, a 5-8 guard, averaged 17.6 points,8.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals for Harrison Centrallast season. Brock, a 5-6 point guard, averaged18.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.1 steals for LongBeach. McDaniel, a 5-11 forward, averaged 9.7points a game.

Fletcher, and assistant coach Shakira Nettles,also worked the Jackson area hard and cameaway with five players from the Metro area, in-cluding two from Class 5A state runner-upCallaway, 5-8 forward Cotoria Blackmon and 5-8 guard Tiara Robins.

Denosha Maye signed a junior collegescholarship offer to attend PRCC. TheBaldwin County High School (Ala.) starguard scored more than 1,500 points inher high school career.

“I need to give special thanks to CoachNettles for all of her hard work in finding theperfect match with our student-athletes to lay afoundation for what we’re working toward,”Fletcher said.

“We probably saw 400 players and zeroed inon the ones who were perfect for our system.

“It was a learning process. With CoachNettles being from out-of-state, we wanted herto become as familiar with the state, and withme having been exclusively with boys before, Ineeded to expand my data base where girlswere concerned.”

One area of concern for the Lady Wildcatswas size inside, and Fletcher felt like that needwas addressed, as he signed five players whostand 5-foot-10 or taller, including three postplayers.

“We addressed size, length, guard play,”Fletcher said. “This class will allow us to playthe way we want to play, but weren’t able to dothis season because of our limitations.”

Fletcher will be looking to revamp his rosterafter a 6-16 campaign in 2015-16 that saw theLady Wildcats finish with just seven healthyplayers by the end of the season.

Women’s basketball signsbig class of 14 players

By STAN CALDWELLPRCC Sports Information

Big plays and exciting action werethe order of the day April 14 at M.R.White Coliseum on the Pearl RiverCommunity College campus.

A crowd estimated at about 500saw some of the top basketball talentin South Mississippi in the inauguralPRCC Select All-Star Classic.

The event featured four gamesmatching teams of players from

PRCC’s six-county district (Forrest,Hancock, Jefferson Davis, Lamar,Marion and Pearl River counties), aswell as several surrounding schools.

The PRCC coaching staff servedas coaches for the game forUnderclass Boys, Underclass Girls,Senior Boys and Senior Girls.

The Gold team won theUnderclass Girls game 54-41.

After falling behind briefly 9-8,Petal junior Kennedy Gavin putback a missed shot and the Gold

team reeled off 11 straight points totake command.

Bay High junior guard JamayaGalloway was named Most ValuablePlayer after leading all scorers with12 points for the Golds.

Celia Rodgers of Moss Pointadded 10 points for the Gold team.

The Underclass Boys provided themost thrilling game of the night, asthe Gold team took a 66-65 victory.

Sumrall’s Alec Ready drove thebaseline for the game-winning shot

with 18 seconds remaining after theMaroons had overcome a 17-pointsecond-half deficit.

Lamar Christin junior WincetonEdwards swished 3-pointers onthree consecutive possessions late inthe first half to give the Gold team a39-30 halftime lead, and he finishedwith 16 points to earn MVP honors.A.J. Banks of Pearl River Centralhad 15 points to lead the Maroonteam.

Hattiesburg’s Tamia Stinson put

on a show in the second half, scoring16 of her game-high 20 points tolead the Maroon squad to a 51-34triumph in the Senior Girls game.

The Southeastern Louisiana signeeearned MVP honors for her play.

The Maroon team also won theSenior Boys game 66-52, as theybuilt a 40-28 halftime lead andcruised in the second half.

PRCC signee Ryan McRaney ofSumrall was named MVP after scor-ing a game-high 13 points.

Big crowd makes inaugural all-star classic a successPRCC’s men’s and women’s basketball coaches pose with senior boys and senior girls who participated in the PRCC Select All-Star Classic.

Chris Oney has a vision of maintainingthe championship tradition in men’s bas-ketball at PRCC, and to do that he’s look-ing for players with a championship back-ground.

That makes his two most recent signeesdoubly important, as the Wildcats look toreload after losing 10 sophomores.

PRCC won the services of CameronDouglas and Javontae McDavid fromColumbus High, which won its first Class6A state championship this year in its firstseason under coach Luther Riley.

“It helps them coming from a champi-onship program, but it helps me out aswell,” said Oney. “We’re not returning alot of experience, so it’s important toreach out to programs that have a champi-onship pedigree.”

Douglas, a 6-foot-4 small forward, av-eraged 12 points and four rebounds pergame, while McDavid, a 5-10 point guard,averaged nine points and four assists.

“They’re both outstanding young menfrom outstanding families,” said Oney.“They are going to compete for playing

time - everyone we signed is going tocompete for playing time, because we lostso much.”

McDavid told the CommercialDispatch that he felt at home on the PRCCcampus, which he described as, “beauti-ful,” and that he plans to set up residencein the coliseum.

“Coach (Oney) said the gym will beopen 24/7, so I will be in there late nightsand early mornings working hard to go tothe next level,” McDavid told the newspa-per.

PRCC adds Columbus duo to basketball program

Columbus High seniors Javontae McDavid (left) andCameron Douglas (right) pose with Pearl River caps aftersigning basketball scholarships with PRCC.

S P O R T S The DRAWL May 2016 • Page 15

Cancer survivor Brittney Creel of Poplarville throws out thefirst pitch for the Pearl River Community College cancerawareness games against Holmes Community College onApril 16. With her on the mound are her son, Alex Creel,and her husband, Rossie Creel.PRCC Public Relations photo

Cancer awareness

Pearl River freshman left-hander Parker Dungan pitches against Mississippi Delta earlierthis spring.

Pearl River sophomore Shay Rosser lays down a bunt during softball action againstHolmes at Poplarville this spring.

By STAN CALDWELLPRCC Sports Information

Pearl River Community College had anothersuccessful softball season in 2016, a winningseason along with another MACJC playoffberth.

But a season that began with tremendouspromise fell short of expectations, as theWildcats finished 24-23 and 14-14 in conferenceplay. PRCC claimed the No. 8 spot in theMACJC playoffs, but was eliminated by top-seeded Jones County in two games in the first-round playoff series.

“We started off hitting the ball really well,”said Wildcat head coach Leigh White, who com-pleted her 14th season at the helm of Pearl Riversoftball.

“We had potential, but we could never get ona streak, and we lost to some teams we shouldhave beaten. We just couldn’t ever get anythinggoing consistently.”

The Wildcats did not finish the sea-son strong, going 5-11 over their last16 games, and needed to sweepMississippi Delta in the final double-header of the season to slip into theplayoffs.

White said it was no coincidencethat Pearl River’s late-season slumpcoincided with an offensive declineby sophomore centerfielder and lead-off batter Branda Northrop, whosebatting average dropped from .427 inlate March to her final average of .386.

“She was our spark, and we could score whenshe got on base,” White said. “She got in a littleslump toward the end of the season. She got itback a little, but she could never quite get anyconsistency at the plate.”

Another factor was inconsistent pitching bysophomore right-hander Skyler Cook, whoplayed through an ankle injury she suffered rightbefore the beginning of the season. She had asolid season, finishing 11-9, with a 3.57 earned-run average, but White lamented what couldhave been with Cook.

“Before she got hurt, she was throwing theball really well, hitting the ball really well,” saidWhite. “Afterwards, she never really got back towhere she was. At times, she pitched well, espe-cially in the toughest games, but she could neverbe consistent.”

Beyond all other factors, though, the biggestreason PRCC failed to meet its potential was de-

fense. The Wildcats committed 93 errors, lead-ing to 92 unearned runs, more than a third oftheir runs-allowed total.

“We tried all season to fix it by moving peoplearound,” White said. “Where we’re fixing it fornext year is we’re bringing in 14 freshmen.

“I’ve never had a year like this one, where wedidn’t play good defense. We’ve always beenknown for our defense, for making routine plays,and it bit us in the rear this year.”

Along with Northrop and Cook, PRCC losesseveral other key sophomores, including firstbaseman Rachel Brockhaus, who led the teamwith 6 home runs and 34 RBIs, and catcherBriana Leonard, who batted .348 with 29 RBIs.

However, White likes the nucleus of playersshe has returning, led by versatile KristenMartin, who hit .333 and drove in 32 runs.

White also likes the potential shown by out-fielder Reilly Bunnell, who scored 32 runs andstole 15 bases in her main role as a pinch-runner,

and had 11 hits and a pair of walks in16 plate appearances.

“Reilly has told us she plans towork hard to get better so she can stepinto a bigger role next season,” Whitesaid. “She’s got the speed and she’sgot the talent; she just has to find theconfidence to a consistent player forus.

“Kristen brings a lot to the table forus; Brooke (Barnes) can play any-where. She can hit the ball.”White said she is looking for a big-

ger role next year for freshman pitcher JackieShows, who was 2-2 with a 5.38 ERA after com-ing back at midseason from surgery in Octoberfor a torn labrum.

“We haven’t seen Jackie at 100 percent,”White said. “She spins the ball really well andher demeanor in the circle is something a lot ofpitchers need to have.”

Along with returning freshman MadisonScoggin, White expects to have a deeper staffnext spring with the addition of four pitchers thatwere signed in January.

White is also very high on Destiny Wesley,who had 113 RBIs in four seasons prior to thisseason at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace, La. She is one of three Louisiana playersWhite signed for next year.

“Destiny Wesley is going to come in here anddo big things,” White said. “She’s a difference-maker. We were very happy to get all three of theout-of-state players we have coming in.”

Softball finishes 24-23,struggles down stretch

White

Final baseball standings Final softball standings

Pearl River sophomore basketball standouts AsiaThibodeaux (left) and Shaniqua Magee (right) signed col-lege scholarship offers to continue their careers atTougaloo College and West Florida, respectively. Standingwith the two are PRCC women’s basketball assistantcoach Shakira Nettles and head coach Scotty Fletcher.

Basketball signees

By STAN CALDWELLPRCC Sports Information

Pearl River Community College’s 2016 base-ball season literally turned on one pitch.

In the last inning of the Wildcats’ last non-conference game against Bishop State (Ala.) onMarch 8, sophomore ace pitcher Jordan Hayesthrew a pitch, then clutched his arm in pain.

Hayes, who had already signed with SouthernMiss, suffered a strained tendon in his rightelbow and missed the rest of the season.Without Hayes, a season that held such prom-ised turned into a struggle as PRCC finishedMACJC play 10-18 and out of the playoffs.

The Wildcats finished with a winning seasonat 25-21, but it wasn’t what it could have been.

“I think losing him, obviously, wasa big blow, not only on the mound,but his presence on the team,” saidWildcat coach Josh Hoffpauir, whocompleted his sixth season at thehelm.

“He was the leader on our team.Everyone got kind of wide-eyedwhen he went down, started to pressand tried to do too much.”

At the time of Hayes’ injury, hewas 4-1 with 23 strikeouts in 22 in-nings, and Pearl River was 15-3 over-all.

With Hayes out, Hoffpauir and pitching coachKyle Lindsey had to scramble a young pitchingstaff and the Wildcats weren’t able to get anyconsistency on the mound.

“It took us a little time to get our pitching ro-tation reset,” Hoffpauir said. “I thought weplayed better the latter part of the season. Butthat’s part of the game. We had to put someyoung pitchers in some roles they probably

weren’t ready for.”Hoffpauir said he was pleased with the way

sophomore right-hander John Carter Sannerstepped into Hayes’ role as the staff ace. Sannerfinished the season with a 5-3 record, with a3.45 earned-run average and 49 strikeouts in 60innings.

“That’s the thing I’m most proud of this sea-son,” Hoffpauir said. “He was thrust into a situ-ation where it was the first time in his career forhim to be the No. 1 guy. We needed him to stepup, and he really took the bull by the horns andgrew up a lot.”

Offensively, the Wildcats finished with a .334team batting average, and most of the team’s tophitters were freshmen who are expected to re-turn next season.

“Numbers-wise, it was one of thebest offensive clubs I’ve ever had,”Hoffpauir said.

“Down the stretch, we faltered alittle bit at the plate, but that’s to beexpected. It’s a long season, longerthan most of them are used to, and weput a lot of pressure on them to carrythe team. But we’re excited aboutthose guys getting a lot of experiencethat we hope will carry over to nextyear.”Freshman Peyton Lee led the

Wildcats with a .391 average and freshmanJonathan Turner batted .361. SophomoreZachary Clark was the team’s top run-producer,with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs.

“Obviously, it wasn’t the season we hadhoped for, but all-in-all, it wasn’t a bad season,”Hoffpauir said. “We’re especially optimisticabout where we’re headed, with the players wehaving returning and the players we have com-ing in.”

Hoffpauir

Baseball unable to overcomebig injury in conference play

Pearl River sopho-more right-handerJohn Carter Sannerfires to home plateduring action thisspring. Sanner fin-ished with a 5-3record for the Wildcatsthis season.

(Photos by StanCaldwell/ PRCCSports Information)

PRCC’s BrandaNorthrop of Poplarvilleslides safely into thirdbase against AlabamaSouthern during agame this spring.

(Photos by StanCaldwell/ PRCC SportsInformation)

S P O R T SThe DRAWLMay 2016 • Page 16

Signees for the PRCCwomen’s soccer team in-clude (front row from left)Abbi Henderson of GreeneCounty, Mia Richardson ofResurrection, Rylee Fosterof Ocean Springs, SarahWeldon of Resurrection,Caroline Grafe of Hancock,Kayla Nobles of EastCentral, (back row from left)Lacey Polderman ofPicayune, Melly Snyder ofGreene County, OliviaMoger of Long Beach,Karsen Gildea of OceanSprings and Mary Rieger ofOcean Springs. Not picturedare Anna Grace Cooley ofGeorge County and MollyHall of Ipswich, England.

Signees for the Pearl River Community College men’ssoccer team include (from left) Mark Johnson of Bay High,Taylor Anderson of Terry, Tristan Anderson of Terry, KyleHillyard of Ocean Springs, Travis Harper of Ocean

Springs, West Zimmerman of St. Stanislaus, BradfordClark of Long Beach, Junior Sanchez of Oak Grove andJackson Turner of Greene County. Not pictured is RyanBotell of Manchester, England.

By StAN CALDWELLPRCC Sports Information

The championship soccer programs atPearl River Community College celebrat-ed their 2016 signing class recently with aMedia Day event at Crosby Hall on thePRCC campus.

A group of 11 signees, out of 13 total,were in attendance to show their supportfor the Lady Wildcat program, while nineof 10 signees for the Wildcat men werethere.

“We’ll have some depth, where we did-n’t last season,” said veteran Lady Wildcatcoach Jack Byrd, whose teams are 114-16-6 in his nine seasons at the helm.

“We’ve been waiting on this class of

kids for a long time. They’re talented kids,but they’re also good quality kids whoexcel in the classroom as well as on thefield.”

PRCC has won two consecutiveMACJC/Region 23 Tournament champi-onships, and have won state three of thepast four seasons.

The Wildcat men are working on astreak of four consecutive state titles, andthat is a daunting challenge for new headcoach Drew Gallant, who was announcedas coach in December.

“It was a challenge,” said Gallant, a for-mer Forrest County AHS and SouthwestMississippi CC head coach who starred atPRCC in 2003.

“We really had to hit the ground run-

ning. But that’s why I took this job. I wantto keep the championship traditiongoing.”

Among the signees for the PRCCwomen are two-time Sun-Herald Playerof the Year Karsen Gildea, a goalkeeperfrom Ocean Springs.

Topping the signees list for the men areforward West Zimmerman of three-timeClass 4A state champion St. Stanislaus,who had nine goals and 14 assists for theRockachaws this past season.

Both PRCC teams will also feature atleast one international player in the fall.Gallant signed center back Ryan Botell ofManchester, England, and Byrd inked 6-foot forward Molly Hall of Ipswich,England.

Soccer teams sign new players

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Summersoccercampdates set

Dates have been set for theannual Wildcat Team Academysoccer camps for boys and girlsin South Mississippi and be-yond.

Players and coaches for thechampionship PRCC soccerprograms, past, present and fu-ture, will conduct the camps atthe Wildcat Soccer Stadium inthe PRCC Sports Complex.

The Wildcat soccer pro-grams have established them-selves among the top commu-nity college programs in the na-tion.

The men have won four con-secutive MACJC/Region 23championships, while thewomen have two straight statetitles and three in the past fourseasons.

Dates for girls camps will beJune 6-8 for junior varsity andmiddle school players, and July18-20 for varsity players. Datesfor boys camps will be July 9-11 for junior varsity players,and July 21-23 for varsity play-ers.

The goal of the Wildcat TeamAcademy is to teach fundamen-tals of the game, while workingwith each individual camper toimprove their skills in a fast-paced and fun environment.

Camp fees are $225 for resi-dential, which includes mealsat the PRCC Cafeteria, and$200 for commuters.

Residential campers should

be sure to have bedding for atwin bed, snacks, personal hy-giene items, clothes, equip-ment bag, water bottle, shinguards, cleats and sun screen.

Checks should be made outto PRCC Soccer, 101 Highway11 North, Poplarville, MS39470.

For questions, call Jack Byrdat (601) 569-2329.

Former Pearl RiverCommunity College football starJeffery Posey was inducted intothe Mississippi Community andJunior College Sports Hall ofFame during ceremonies onApril 26 in Jackson.

Posey of Bassfield was an All-State star at PRCC from 1993-95, playing on two winningteams for Coach Willie Coats asan outside linebacker.

At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, hewreaked havoc on opposing of-fenses with his quickness.

As a sophomore, he led thestate with 14 sacks, accountedfor 45 tackles, 29 assists, 17 hur-ries, three tackles for losses and afumble recovery.

As a result, he not only madethe MACJC all-star first team,but he was also voted the mostvaluable player in theMississippi JuCo All-Star game,which his South team won 20-6.

After earning his associate’sdegree at PRCC, he signed withUSM, where his on-field successcontinued under coach JeffBower.

During his senior year, hestarted 11 games, made 7.5sacks, had two forced fumbles,and made 16 tackles for a loss.He recorded one of the top sixall-time single season perform-ances in school history and was

named the 1996 DefensiveMVP.

He also received the Heart ofthe Eagle Award.

After his senior season, Jeffsigned as a free agent with theSan Francisco 49ers. He becamea special teams standout, earningrecognition as one of the unit’sleaders.

While excelling on specialteams, he also worked to be-come a force on defense with hispass-rushing skills.

Recognizing his versatility,the coaches moved him to out-side linebacker in 2000.

In 2002, he signed a contractto play with the Houston Texanswhere he recorded 65 tackles,8.5 sacks, one interception and 2forced fumbles.

In 2003, Jeff signed a four-year contract with the BuffaloBills, where he was privileged tobe a part of one of the NFL’s top-ranked defenses.

Upon leaving Buffalo, Jeffsigned with the WashingtonRedskins - capping a nine-yearcareer in the NFL.

Jeff has also been called on tospeak at PRCC Fellowship ofChristian Athletes meetingsabout his life’s experiences.

He currently resides inHattiesburg with his wife,Latalia, and their five children.

PRCC President William Lewis (left) presents JefferyPosey with his Sports Hall of Fame award.

Sports Hallinducts Posey

Lady Wildcats show off

Members of the 2015 Pearl River women’s soccer teamshow off their state championship rings at an awards cere-mony May 2 at Poplarville. Team members were (front rowfrom left) Kaitlyn Williams, Sarah Fortenberry, DelaneyGustafson, Sarah Daniels, Hailey Furlan, Taylor Hunt,

Jessica Cochran, (back row from left) Shelby Koon,Lauren Craig, Nadia Nelson, Lindsey Maykowski (studenttrainer), Lyndsey Lee, Alycia Schwartz, Lauren Lear,Kelsey Taylor, Jordan Ahlgren, Zakiya Levy and headcoach Jack Byrd. Not pictured is Kira Morrell.

Lady Wildcat soccer honored at ceremonyPearl River Community College hon-

ored its 2015 women’s soccer team re-cently in an awards banquet.

Each member of last fall’s team werepresented with state championship ringscommemorating the Lady Wildcats’MACJC/Region 23 state title, won in amuddy 3-1 victory over Jones at Raymond.

It was PRCC’s second consecutive statechampionship and third in four seasons.

Pearl River finished its season 15-2.In addition, six players were presented

with plaques for earning MACJC All-State honors. They were sophomoresSarah Daniels, Sarah Fortenberry,Delaney Gustafson, Lyndsey Lee and

Kaitlyn Williams, along with freshmanAlycia Schwartz.

Finally, Lee was presented with her cer-tificate as an NJCAA All-American, onlythe third such honor in the history of thePRCC women’s soccer program. Lee,who had 17 goals and 14 assists last fall,was a third-team All-America selection.

Pearl River sophomore soc-cer standout Lyndesy Lee ispresented with a certificatein honor of her selection asan NJCAA third-team All-America selection at anawards ceremony atPoplarville.

Pearl River CommunityCollege completed spring foot-ball practice with its scrimmageon April 21, and new headcoach David Saunders said heis pleased with where theWildcats are as they head intothe summer and approach the2016 season.

“We feel like we exceededwhat we expected at the begin-ning of the semester,” saidSaunders, who was named asPRCC’s coach in December.

“There were times at some ofthose 6 a.m. workouts wherewe walked out of there thinkingwe might not be able to line up11 on 11. But it’s just gottenbetter with each rep we took.”

The Wildcats entertained acrowd of about 200 fans atDobie Holden Stadium with alively four-part scrimmage towrap up the spring.

Early in the four-part con-trolled scrimmage, the Wildcatoffense looked to be ahead ofthe defense, scoring touch-downs on three consecutivepossessions with both the firstand second teams.

But the defense came on, es-pecially in the second half, get-ting a couple of takeaways, in-cluding a nice interception byrising sophomore Tyler Jack,one of the top returning playerson the Wildcat defense.

“The offense, major im-provements from Day 1,” saidrising sophomore quarterbackD.J. Gillins, who had a produc-tive day passing.

“It was interesting. A lot ofguys didn’t know what to do,how to line up, at the start. Butthe coaches got it right, and whatwe did today was amazing.”

Gillins, a transfer fromWisconsin, has assumed thestarter duties at quarterbackfrom the beginning of springand consistently drew praisefrom Saunders for his abilityand leadership.

“He has come in here fromthe first and done everythingwe’ve asked him to do,”Saunders said. “D.J.’s not onlya leader on the field, but aleader on campus.”

One position of concern wasat center, where two-yearstarter Ryan Rainey has depart-ed. Saunders said he believesredshirt freshman TremaineChatman of Covington, La.,has stepped up to fill that void.

“We went into spring withouta single player who hadsnapped the football in agame,” said Saunders. “ButTremaine stepped forwardearly on in the process and didnot have a single missed snapall spring.”

PRCC is looking to reboundfrom a 2-7 season in 2015 thatresulted in plenty of turnover inthe Wildcat coaching staff.

However, returning playerssaid they noticed a much morepositive atmosphere this spring.

“The biggest difference is theconditioning and how thecoaches get us doing the rightthings on and off the field,” saiddefensive lineman KeyshawnSimmons. “We’ve just got toget our heads in the playbookthis summer.”

The defense showed its met-tle in the final period, when theWildcats worked on two-minute scenarios, stopping thefirst-team offense in the finalsequence of the night.

Saunders pleasedwith spring drills

The returning Wildcats havealready begun their summerworkout program, andSaunders expects to see in-coming freshmen start to ar-rive around the first of June.