Military (participants only)

Wednesday, October 5

Want to learn more about LJC? Call the Chamber at (601) 649-3031

"It sounds kind of simple-minded, but what he has done is made everyone here believe in ourselves again,"

~ Whit Waide

This is Our State!

I love this time of year. The weather is cooling off. The hectic running of summer is calming down as students and parents get back into the groove of school. High school athletics and academics are well underway. Harvest festivals, fairs and carnivals are popping up all over. And the weekends are packed with time for fellowship, family and friends. There is tailgating, cookouts and football! It has been said, "Football in the South helps define how we think about ourselves." It is who we are. It's tradition. 

I tend to agree. I don't think you will find more loyal and devoted fans anywhere on earth than in the South. It doesn't matter if you root for the NFL, NCAA, SEC, C-USA, GSC, SWAC, D1, D2, JUCO, High school or Pee-Wee; our fans are passionate about their teams. They are passionate about their schools. And they are passionate about their traditions! Tradition, Passion and Pride are at the core of who we are in the South. 

I recently read an article from The New York Times titled Manufacturing Expectations and Belief at Mississippi State. The article talks about Dan Mullen of Mississippi State University and what he has been able to accomplish is his three years as head coach in Starkville. In it, the article indicates how "The buzz around town is indicative of the transformation of the psyche and culture of fans at Mississippi State". 

Now I personally am not a fan of that program, but I am a fan of Mississippi and I am a fan of great leaders. I think anyone would be hard pressed to make the argument that Dan Mullen hasn't done a fantastic job with the program at MSU. He truly has changed the mindset of the players, fans and patrons of Mississippi State University.

The article goes on to tout "The first thing that Dan has done is that he's instilled a belief. In the state of Mississippi, people are told from the day they are born they're second rate. And I think Dan has made them believe that doesn't need to be the case." It is very true. Mississippi has more talented artists, writers, musicians, entrepreneurs, athletes and much more per capita than any other state. We truly have a lot to be proud of! 

Last week I was able to participate in Jones County Junior College's Centennial celebrations. What an amazing accomplishment! 100 years of educating the residents of Jones County and the surrounding area. Watching the events last week I could see the pride, passion and tradition of JCJC exuded in all that was said and done. We truly do have a lot to be proud of in Mississippi and in Jones County.

Let's work together to make Jones County the best that it can be for today, tomorrow and the next 100 years! Through education, athletics, leadership, fellowship and community service; together we can all make Jones County better for the next generation! This is OUR STATE and this is OUR COUNTY! GO TEAM!

This is Our State!

~ Bill Gates

 "The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success." 

~ Bruce Feirstein

"Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication." 

~ Cecil B. De Mille

"Individuality is either the mark of genius or the reverse. Mediocrity finds safety in standardization."

~ Frederick E. Crane

"Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles."

~ Samuel Smiles

"The optimist lives on the peninsula of infinite possibilities; the pessimist is stranded on the island of perpetual indecision."

~ William Arthur Ward