Bobcat Bulletin

e-Newsletter  bobcat  


       A publication of the JCJC Alumni Association & JCJC Foundation

                                    February 2016 - Vol 6, Issue 6
Web Services Links to Giving & Event Registration
In This Issue
Alumni Accomplishments:

Katie Burkel 

Ryan Earnest

Napier's Go National

Piere's Position 

Tyrunn Walker

Softball Reunion

Calendar of Events

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Greetings Alumni and Friends!
 We have been back on campus for almost a month now and time has really flown by. 
  Our men's and women's basketball teams are both doing well. Just last  night (1/28) we hosted, and defeated, Gulf Coast here on campus.  We had a great turnout for tailgating in The Union prior to the games.
  Many of you bought raffle tickets for the fire pit that was designed and built by JCJC welding students. That drawing was held last night and Paula Harrison was the lucky winner. I am sure she will enjoy a few warm fires in the coming weeks. 
  As I mentioned in last month's news, we have a few events just around the corner. 
  First, we will be hosting a softball reunion on Saturday, February 20th at Community Bank Park. If you are a softball alum, call our office and make your reservation.
  The annual Alumni Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 1st, at the Laurel Country Club.  This year's tournament will be a 4 man scramble with lunch and an afternoon t - time.
  Stay tuned for more information on baseball, softball, tennis, and spring football as we head into warmer weather.
  Signing day is just around the corner and we are excited about this year's football recruiting class!
 
Until next time......Go Bobcats!!

Charlie Garretson
Vice President of Advancement
Director of Alumni and Foundation

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Spring Semester Begins
JCJC Art Alumna Earns Honor
  Katie Burckel, one of the youngest artists  participating in the annual Three Rivers Art Festival in Covington, Louisiana, earned the prestigious "City of Covington" Award.  Even though Covington is her hometown, this was her first appearance showing offer her quirky art at this venue.  
  The JCJC alumna's artwork takes a unique and humorous look at society through miniature sculpture pieces. She combines items she finds around town and miniature train figures and pieces and creates a commentary on life.
  Burckel explains she was trying to branch out from her retail job and started creating. To read the story from NOLA.com click the link: Katie Burckel Awarded.
Ryan Earnest's Rise To The Top
  He's on the verge of being named one of the Pine Belt's "Football Legends" and the 34-year old is just beginning to hit his coaching stride. Laurel native, Ryan Earnest played football for Laurel High School, Jones County Junior College and USM, and his coaching credentials include Laurel High School, Sumrall, Wayne County and Collins. The Hattiesburg American Newspaper's, 2014 All-Area Coach of the Year is now "graduating" to the big leagues by accepting the head football coaching job at Ridgeland High School which is a 6A school.  
  Earnest filled the head coaching vacancy at Collins High School two years ago and has revitalized the former 3A powerhouse Tiger team, earning two-state championships. Ridgeland High School officials and fans hope Earnest can do the same for the Titans. Besides his head football coaching responsibilities, Earnest will also take the helm as Athletic Director for the Madison County school. 
  To read more about Earnest's new job, click on the link: Earnest named Ridgeland Head Coach.  Click on the link to read about some of Earnest's accomplishments which earned him the Hattiesburg American's All-Area 2014 Coach of the Year: Earnest-Coach of the Year
Napier's National Appearance
  JCJC 2005 graduates, Ben and Erin Napier have been busy being entrepreneurs and creating two unique businesses in Erin's hometown of Laurel.  Her online stationery business using vintage letterpress to create her product called, Lucky Luxe has attracted national attention and international "stars" and dignitaries. Ben's new business, Scotsman Company features handcrafted wood work is beginning to break into the market.  
  Together the couple have embarked on a new adventure that has impacted the national TV market, as well as Laurel.  Their TV show pilot, "Home Town" premiered Sunday, January 24, 2016 and has the potential to become a show.  The program combines their love for Laurel and revitalizing it, with their love for creative design and remodeling.  The Napier's help a young couple find their dream home in Laurel and renovate it.
  The premier showing pulled in an impressive 2.1 million viewers and "Home Town" landed in the 18th place among the top 100 TV shows watched on Sunday, January 23, 2016.  "Home Town" was also the second ranked HGTV program from that day, according to media sources.  
  There is no word yet if HGTV will continue the show and "order" 12 more episodes, however the pilot episode will be aired again with hopes the Napier's will find themselves more busy than usual this year! 
Randy Pierce's New Position
  randy pierce  Greene County native and JCJC alum, Justice Randy Pierce will be hanging up his judicial robe and begin training judges. He will be leaving his seat on the Mississippi Supreme Court to oversee training for the entire state court system, including judges and their staff. The Mississippi Judicial College is a division of the University of Mississippi School of Law.
  Pierce leaves his position on the high court one-year early. Governor Phil Bryant will have to appoint someone to fill the vacancy which was set to expire December, 2016.  To read the story from the Mississippi Business Journal, click on the link: Pierce's New Position.
Tyrunn Walker Honored
Former 2010-2012 JCJC Bobcat football player and current Detroit Lions football player, Tyrunn Walker has been honored to be chosen as his community's Parade Grand Marshall of the 
St. Mary-Vermilion CAA/Head Start Program Krewe of Head Start Parade.  The community volunteer looks being the Parade Grand Marshall as an honor.  Walker also played for the New Orleans Saints before the Lions signed him to play in 2015.For more about Tyrunn's career and contributions click on the link: Walker Parade Marshall.
Softball Reunion

  
Saturday, February 20th, 2016

11:00 a.m. -  Join fellow softball alumni and families at Community Bank Park on the JCJC campus for lunch. Enjoy this time of fellowship and reconnecting with team mates. Find out what the Lady Bobcats have in store for the future from Coach Chris Robinson.

12:00 p.m. - JCJC Lady Bobcats VS. Illinois Central College

1:45 p.m. - Alumni recognition ceremony
2:00 p.m. - JCJC Lady Bobcats VS. Illinois Central College
If you are not able to attend, please complete this form with your information and consider making a small donation to support our program.
Click the link to register: 
Calendar of Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Events
   
February, 20, 2016 
Softball Reunion/Tournament 

April 1, 2016
Alumni Golf Tournament


For more information call the Alumni Office at 601-477-4145 or email: jcjcalumniinfo@gmail.com 

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 Remember When...   

    in 1976 when it was required for the boys to enter the Administration Building  through the side door titled, "boys entrance" and girls were required to enter on the other side through the "girls entrance?" Also all of the male teachers and boys sat on one side of the auditorium and the girls and female teachers sat on the other side. Roll was taken and absences were turned in!

 

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Sincerely,

JoAnna Newcomb 
JCJC Alumni Coordinator 
 
The Bobcat Bulletin is produced and written by the JCJC Marketing Team.