Jones County Junior College announces its 2008 Homecoming Court.  Elections were held in September and students chose the following ladies to represent them during Homecoming.

Queen: Samantha Ann Thornton is from Bay Springs majoring in Speech Pathology.  At JCJC she is a member of the Maroon Typhoon marching band, Concert Choir, Jones Ambassadors, Student Government Association, Baptist Student Union and the JCJC Historical Society.  Samantha was also active in high school as an Honors graduate, the All-Superior ranked Drum Major, Tri-M Honors Society president, a member of the Hall of Fame, and as Jasper County’s Miss Hospitality 2007.  Thornton’s future plans include pursing a bachelor’s degree at the Mississippi University for Women and a master’s degree at USM.  She hopes to work with children with speech disabilities. Samantha’s parents are Nathan and Karen Thornton.

Escorting Thornton will be Jeremy Pippen of Laurel. The religion and philosophy major is a member of the Maroon Typhoon marching band, Jones Ambassadors, Concert Choir, SGA, BSU, and Bobcat Brigade Tour guides.  Jeremy’s parents are Anthony and Kathy Pippen.

Student Body Maid: Kayla Ray is a sophomore coaching administration major from Stringer.  She is a member of SGA, JCJC Historical Society, College Republicans, and Kayla works as the office assistant for the men’s basketball team.  In high school, Ray was the vice president all four years, the secretary of Beta Club, a sophomore maid and student body maid, class favorite, beauty pageant most beautiful, and Who’s Who among High School students.  She also received numerous basketball, softball and cheerleading awards.  Kayla plans to attend William Carey and earn a degree in coaching administration with a minor in English. Her parents are Mark and Glenda Ray.

Ray’s escort is Chanse Yelverton of Stringer. Chanse is a member of the Bobcat Baseball team and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society.  He hopes to earn a coaching degree at USM and coach baseball.  Chanse’s parents are Pete and Cathy Yelverton.

Sophomore Maid: Hollie Holbrook is a sophomore nursing major from Magee.  She is the current Miss Hospitality for Magee. The Mississippi Scholar is in the Bobcat Brigade at Jones, as well as the Science Club and SGA.  She earned the Academic Excellence and Foundation scholarships to Jones.  Hollie’s plans include getting her master’s degree and becoming a nurse practitioner, specializing in neonatology.  Her parents are Kim and Jeff Holbrook.

Holbrook’s escort is Bradley Evans of Taylorsville. Majoring in medicine, Evans also finds time to be a member of the Maroon Typhoon marching band, SGA, Science Club, BSU and College Republicans.  His parents are Lynn and Sara Evans.

Sophomore Maid: Benoncia Lenail Mann of Laurel is a nursing major.  At JCJC Benoncia is in the Maroon Typhoon marching band.  In high school she was a member of the Laurel Tornadoes band and color guard, all-girls show choir, the Laurel Homecoming Court in 2005 and she performed in the play, “Grease”.  She is also active in her church, East Jerusalem Full Gospel Church as a member of the Praise Beyond Praise Dance Team and she sings in the church choir. Benoncia plans on attending USM and pursuing her nursing degree and eventually be a nurse practitioner.  Her parents are Felecia Breland and Wilfred Williams, and her grandmother is Lizzie Mann.

Mann’s escort is Brian Morris of Pearl.  The pre-med major is a member of the Maroon Typhoon drum line.  He hopes to go to MSU and earn a B.A. in psychology.  Brian’s parents are Alvin and Cheryl Morris.

Freshman Maid: Danielle Claire Bonner is a freshman from Quitman.  She is majoring in Physical Therapy.  At Jones, Danielle is on the yearbook staff.  In high school, Bonner was involved in cheerleading, band, chorus, and the yearbook staff.  The High Honors Quitman High School graduate plans to attend USM and be a physical therapist. Danielle’s parents are Dale and Debbie Bonner.

Bonner’s escort is Ethan Blakeney from Taylorsville.  The nursing major is busy at Jones as the Freshman Class President, a member of the Jones Ambassadors, Concert Choir, yearbook staff, Bobcat Brigade, SGA, Science Club and College Republicans.  Ethan’s future plans include attending the University of Mississippi Medical Center and continue his education in nursing.  His parents are Kenny and Edith Blakeney and Jeanna and Nelson Yelverton.

Freshman Maid: Chelsea Day Windham is a freshman from Laurel majoring in sales and marketing.  Her activities at Jones include Jones Onstage, Bobcat Brigade, SGA, College Republicans, Science Club and the Baptist Student Union.  Chelsea was also busy at West Jones High School where she was a member of the show choir, yearbook staff, TGIF, Key Club, Serteens, FCA, and the Spanish Honor Society.  The Mississippi Scholar graduated Magna Cum Laude, was selected as Student Body Maid and was voted as Most Friendliest.  Chelsea plans to attend MSU and begin a career in pharmaceutical sales.

Widham’s escort is Nathan Kanengiser from Pearl.  The business law major is a member of the Bobcat Tennis Team, SGA, Bobcat Brigade, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  His plans include earning a business degree at Mississippi College and then going to law school.  Nathan’s parents are Andy and Sunuia Kanengiser.

The JCJC Homecoming court will also have represented as the flower girl, Lizzie Ann Williams of Florence and Carson Patrick Dorsey of Ellisville.  Lizzie is the five year old daughter of Stan and Sonya Williams and the granddaughter of Tom and Charlotte Williams of Ellisville, and Frances Bennett and the late Emery Bennett of Harrisville. Carson is in first grade at St. John’s Day School.  He is the son of Christopher and Marlo Dorsey.