Above: Front row, from left, are Victoria Trouts, Homecoming Queen from the Jackson County Campus; Piper Leith, Homecoming Queen from the Jefferson Davis Campus; and Torie Fisher, Homecoming Queen from the Perkinston Campus. Back row, from left, are Dr. Carmen Walters, vice president of the Jackson County Campus; Dr. Jonathan Woodward, vice president of the Jefferson Davis Campus; and Dr. Ladd Taylor, vice president of the Perkinston Campus.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College celebrated its 2014 Homecoming October 16-18. The three-day celebration boasted events that included a dinner and awards ceremony for the Athletic and Alumni Hall of Fame, Sam Owen, Spirit of Gulf Coast and Bulldog Hall of Honor honorees on Thursday night at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi.

The annual Clem Dellenger Golf Tournament was held in Gulfport on Friday, followed by a reunion celebration for the 1984 national championship football team, along with the cheerleaders, band and Perkettes from that same year, at Shaggy’s Restaurant in Biloxi. On Saturday, the celebration was at its peak with a day full of activities on the Perkinston Campus that included a pep rally, alumni art show and children’s art activities; a commemorative service at War Memorial Chapel; a cookout; special archives exhibits; and pre-game and halftime activities at A.L. May Memorial Stadium.

“Homecoming places a spotlight on our alumni – from those being honored in the Athletic and Alumni Hall of Fame to those who visit and enjoy our annual reunion,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president. “It is also an opportunity to see our current students in action as the Bulldog football team, cheerleaders, Band of Gold, Perkettes and the Homecoming courts from each campus participate in the day’s events.  Most importantly, it is a time when our MGCCC family –our alumni, students, and employees– can visit with each other and be reminded what an incredible institution we have and what a positive impact it makes in our communities.”

During the halftime show, the maids and queens for each of the three main campuses were announced.

JACKSON COUNTY CAMPUS

• Victoria Ann Trouts, Homecoming Queen from Pascagoula, is the daughter of Mark and Tarah Trouts.  She graduated from Resurrection Catholic High School in 2013 and is an elementary education major.  She is a member of the Reflections Team, Circle K and Phi Theta Kappa and is a student worker in Student Activities.  She plans to attend Mississippi University for Women after graduating from MGCCC.
• Jenna Renee Swift, freshman maid from Sugarland, Texas, is the daughter of Gidget and James Swift.  She graduated from George Ranch High School in 2014 and is a physical therapy major.  She is a member of the Baptist Student Union.  She plans to attend the University of Alabama in Birmingham after graduating from MGCCC.  She also plans to receive a teaching certificate to become a dance teacher.
• Brittany Michelle Coleman,freshman maid from Hurley, is the daughter of Jan Coleman and Patrick and Celanie Coleman.  She graduated from East Central High School in 2014 and is an instrumentation and control major.  She is a member of the P-Tech Club and Circle K and is a Gulf Coast STEM Scholar.  She plans to attend The University of Mississippi after graduating from MGCCC.
• Amanda Marie Hunt, sophomore maid from Ocean Springs, is the daughter of Rick Hunt and Debbie Harper.  She graduated from St. Martin High School in 2013 and is a communications major.  She is currently a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is the co-president of the Reflections Team.  She is a Student Activities student worker and was chosen Freshman Class Favorite.  She maintains a 4.0 average.  She plans to attend the University of South Alabama after graduating from MGCCC.
• Caroline Brooxanne Crump, sophomore maid from Pascagoula, is the daughter of Terry and Terri Scott and Doug and Stephanie Crump.  She graduated from Pascagoula High School in 2013 and is a physical therapy major.  She is a member of the Reflections Team and Phi Theta Kappa and is secretary of the Student Government Association.  She plans to attend Mississippi State University after graduating from MGCCC.

JEFFERSON DAVIS CAMPUS

• Piper Leith, Homecoming Queen from Long Beach, is the daughter of Suzanne Johnson and George Leith.  She graduated from Long Beach High School in 2013 and is a fashion merchandising major.  She is a representative with the Student Government Association, is a member of the Reflections Team and was chosen Freshman Class Favorite.  She plans to further her education at The University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from MGCCC.
• Jahavishia Easterling, freshman maid from Gulfport, is the daughter of Dynne Easterling.  She graduated from Gulfport High School in 2014 and is a business major.  She is currently a member of the Reflections Team.  She plans to further her education at The University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from MGCCC.
• Mone’t Santos, freshman maid from Biloxi, is the daughter of Meri Jackson.  She graduated from Biloxi High School in 2011 and is a radiology major with plans to be an ultrasound technician.
• Rhana Gooden, freshman maid from Gulfport, is the daughter of Stacy and Cedric Crande and Latara and Maurice Payne.  She graduated from Gulfport High School in 2014 and is a physical therapy major.
• Tracey Thuy Phuong Le, sophomore maid from Biloxi, is the daughter of Tuan and Thuy Nga Le.  She graduated from Biloxi High School in 2013 and is a pre-medicine major.  She is is president of the Student Government Association and is a member of the Reflections Team and Phi Theta Kappa.  She received a Gulf Coast Scholars STEM scholarship and is in the Honors College and on the President’s List.  She plans to transfer to The University of Mississippi after graduating from MGCCC.
• Summer Marisol Ruiz-Jimenez, sophomore football maid from Long Beach, is the daughter of Deann Whisenhunt and Cesar Ruiz-Jimenez.  She graduated from Long Beach High School in 2013 and is an elementary education major.  She is currently the reporter/historian for the Student Government Association and is a member of the Reflections Team and of Phi Theta Kappa.  She plans to continue her education at The University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from MGCCC.
• Hannah Elizabeth Waltman, sophomore maid from Gulfport, is the daughter of Mary and Adam Flinchum. She graduated from Gulfport High School in 2013 and is a general studies major.  She maintains a 4.0 average and is an avid blood donor.  She plans to attend The University of Mississippi and major in biochemistry.

PERKINSTON CAMPUS

• Victoria Celeste Fisher, Homecoming Queen from Hurley, is the daughter of    Kyle and Mary Fisher.  She graduated from East Central High School in 2013 and is majoring in English with a minor in education.  While at MGCCC, she has made the Vice President’s List and served as Homecoming maid on the 2013 court.  Tori is captain of the MGCCC cheerleading team, a member of the Baptist Student Union, worship leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serves as historian for Phi Theta Kappa, and member of the Honors College, Wesley Foundation and Multicultural Club, and is in the MGCCC Concert Choir.  Tori taught cheerleading at the “Become a Junior Bulldog” clinic and to the Wiggins Girl Scouts troop.  She enjoys attending mission trips with her church.  Tori plans to pursue a master’s degree and teach English.
• Jacqueline Shepley, freshman maid from Gulfport, is the daughter of Don and Cecilia Shepley.  She graduated from West Harrison High in 2014 and is a dental hygiene major.  A member of the Perkettes Dance Team, she enjoys teaching dance class at Jess’s Dance Studio in Gulfport and volunteering with the youth group at St. James Catholic Church.  She plans to further her education at The University of Mississippi Medical Center after graduating from MGCCC.
• Sally Wilson, freshman maid from Long Beach, is the daughter of Bryce and Paige Jones.  She graduated from Long Beach High School in 2014 and is a general studies major.  A member of the cheerleading team, she is participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and FCA Bible Study.  She is a member of Long Beach United Methodist Church.  She wants to focus on mentoring youth and helping those in need after graduating from MGCCC.
• Hayley Gray Gardner, sophomore maid from Hurley, is the daughter of Charles and Kelli Gardner.  She graduated from East Central High in 2013 and is a broadcast journalism major.  She is captain of the Perkettes Dance team, worship leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, member of the Honors College and the MGCCC Choir, and has made the Vice President’s List.  Hayley enjoys volunteer work at a local nursing home and plans to further her education at The University of Southern Mississippi.
• Constance Dominique Watson, sophomore Maid from Gautier, is the daughter of Sheryl Watson and Martin and Christa Bilbo.  She graduated from Gautier High in 2013 and is a nursing major.  She is a resident assistant and member of Phi Theta Kappa and is a member of the MGCCC tennis team.  She received the Best Educational Program of the Year Award as an RA in 2013. Connie enjoys teaching Vacation Bible School at Magnolia Baptist Church.  She plans to obtain a degree in registered nursing from William Carey College.