Homecoming Court Winners Announced

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 IP Casino Resort in Biloxi.

The annual Clem Dellenger Golf Tournament was held at Hickory Hills Country Club in Gautier on Friday, followed by reunion celebrations for the Band of Gold and Perkettes and the 1966 and 1986 football teams at the Golden Nugget Casino in Biloxi.

On Saturday, the celebration was at its peak with a full day of activities on the college’s Perkinston Campus. The day included a pep rally, alumni art show and children’s art activities; a commemorative service at Gregory War Memorial Chapel; a cookout; a special archives exhibit; 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 reunions,” 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 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

Jackson County Campus Homecoming Court – Front row, from left: Darby Michelle Myers, sophomore maid; Jade Arielle Richardson, Jackson County Campus Homecoming queen; Kaitlyn Orth, sophomore maid. Back row: Madison Anne Lock, freshman maid, and Madison Kuhn, freshman maid.

Jade Arielle Richardson

Jade Arielle Richardson is the Jackson County Campus Homecoming Queen. A sophomore from Hurley, she is a 2015 graduate of East Central High School and the daughter of Bradley and Lorena Richardson. Majoring in broadcast journalism, she plans to attend The University of Mississippi. She is a member of the Honors College and is the Phi Theta Kappa campus chapter communications and social marketing coordinator; the Mississippi/Louisiana regional reporter for Phi Theta Kappa; sophomore class president in the Student Government Association; and vice president of Publicity for the Campus Activities Board. Richardson was chosen as a 2015 Distinguished Young Woman of East Jackson County, was a top-10 finalist at the state Distinguished Young Woman program, is a 4.0 President’s List Scholar and an Academic Dean’s scholarship recipient.

Madison Kuhn

Madison Kuhn is a freshman from Hurley. A 2016 graduate of East Central High School, she is the daughter of Kerry and Selena Kuhn.  Kuhn is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine and plans to transfer to Mississippi State University. She is the philanthropy chair for the Reflections Team. She was the 2016 Miss Gulf Coast Royal Teen and received the East Central Civic Association scholarship.

Madison Anne Lock

Madison Anne Lock is a freshman from Vancleave. A 2016 graduate of Vancleave High School, she is the daughter of Jeffrey and Melissa Lock. Lock is a secondary education major in English and plans to transfer to The University of Southern Mississippi. She is freshman class president and vice president of the Student Government Association; the social events officer for the Reflections Team; and a member of the Campus Activities Board and Baptist Student Union. She received an ACT academic scholarship and Reflections scholarship.

Darby Michelle Myers

Darby Michelle Myers is a sophomore from Gautier. A 2015 graduate of Gautier High School, she is the daughter of Ric and Linda Myers and the granddaughter of Allen and Barbara Kruger. Myers is a paralegal major and plans the attend The University of Mississippi. She is the treasurer for the Reflections Team and a member of the Student Government Association. She is a Reflections scholarship recipient.

Kaitlyn Orth

Kaitlyn Orth is a sophomore from Hurley. A 2013 graduate of East Central High School, she is the daughter of Timothy and Keshia Neese and John Orth. Orth is an English major and plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi. She was the 2016 Miss Crawfish Music Festival and a 2015 top-15 and 2016 top-12 finalist at the Miss Mississippi USA pageant.

Jefferson Davis Campus

Jefferson Davis Campus Homecoming Court – Front row, from left:  Aleynah DeLeon, MGCCC freshman football maid; Erin Hicks, Jefferson Davis Campus Homecoming queen; and Hayley Orman, MGCCC sophomore football maid. Back Row: Ashley Roberts, sophomore maid; Kimberlee Kelley, sophomore maid; Mackenzie Lander, freshman maid; and Rilyn Shumway, freshman maid.

Erin Hicks

Erin Hicks is the Jefferson Davis Campus Homecoming queen. A sophomore from Gulfport, she is the daughter of Ed and Heather Hicks. She was homeschooled and completed her studies in 2015. She is a nursing major and plans to become a pediatric nurse. She is a member of the Baptist Student Union and Campus Activities Board. She was voted by her peers as a freshman Homecoming maid and Freshman Class Favorite in 2015.

Mackenzie Lander

Mackenzie Lander is a freshman from Biloxi. She is the daughter of Rick and Eden Murray. She attended D’Iberville High School and graduated in 2016. She is a nursing major and plans to continue her education at The University of South Alabama in pediatrics. She is a member of the Reflections Team and Campus Activities Board and is the Student Government Association freshman class president.

Rilyn Shumway

Rilyn Shumway is a freshman from Diamondhead. She is the daughter of Angela and Chloe Kelly. She attended Hancock High School and graduated in 2016. She is a psychology major at MGCCC and plans to join the Air Force, earn a degree in psychology and become a social worker. She is a member of the Campus Activities Board.

Aleynah DeLeon

Aleynah DeLeon is the MGCCC freshman football maid. She is from Gulfport and the daughter of Eddie and Mary Helen DeLeon. She attended D’Iberville High School and graduated in 2016. She is a pre-medical major and plans to transfer to Louisiana State University to major in biomedical sciences, attend medical school and pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. She is a member of Campus Activities Board, Student Government Association, Baptist Student Union and Science Club.

Ashley Roberts

Ashley Roberts is a sophomore from Long Beach. She is the daughter of Warren and Luzmina Roberts. She attended Long Beach High School and graduated in 2015. She is a nursing major and plans to attend The University of Mississippi to complete her degree in nursing and then travel to Europe and Asia as a traveling nurse. She is a Reflections Team, Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa member. She was also voted by her peers as Freshman Class Favorite in 2015.

Kimberlee Kelley

Kimberlee Kelley is a sophomore from Gulfport.  She is the daughter of Billy and Kasey Kelley. She attended Gulfport High School and graduated in 2015. She is an elementary education major and plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a career in elementary education. She is the Reflections Team president, Student Government Association sophomore class president, and a member of the Campus Activities Board and Phi Theta Kappa. She was voted by her peers as the Student Government Association freshman class president in 2015.

Hayley Orman

Hayley Orman is the MGCCC sophomore football maid. She is from Biloxi and the daughter of Robert and Mary Orman. She attended St. Patrick Catholic High School and graduated in 2015. She is a general studies major and plans to continue her education at the University of South Alabama. She is vice president of the Student Government Association and a member of Campus Activities Board, Reflections Team, and Phi Theta Kappa.

Perkinston Campus

Perkinston Campus Homecoming Court – Front row, from left: Courtney Holland, sophomore maid; Molly Murphy, Perkinston Campus Homecoming queen, and Mary Gardner, sophomore maid. Back row: Aren Watts and Victoria Alexander, freshman maids.

Molly Murphy

Molly Murphy is the Perkinston Campus Homecoming queen. A sophomore from Southaven, she is a 2015 graduate of Lewisburg High School and a nursing major. She is the daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Murphy. She is a member of the MGCCC softball team, Phi Theta Kappa and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader. She attends Cornerstone Church. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education at the Mississippi University for Women.

Victoria Alexander

Victoria Alexander is a freshman from Perkinston. She is a 2016 graduate of Stone High School and is a nursing major. She is the daughter of Joy Alexander and Blake and Pamela Alexander. She is an MGCCC cheerleader, attends First Baptist Church in Wiggins and enjoys babysitting in her community. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Aren Watts

Aren Watts is a freshman from Gautier. She is a 2016 graduate of Gautier High School and is a pre-medicine major. She is the daughter of Danny Watts and Sasha Watts. She is a member of the Reflections Team; Student Government Association, which she serves as freshman class president; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Wesley Foundation; Dog Pound; and Campus Activities Board. She attends First Baptist Church of Gautier. Upon graduation, she plans on continuing her education at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Mary Elizabeth Gardner

Mary Elizabeth Gardner is a sophomore from Columbus. She is a 2015 graduate of Heritage Academy and is a business Bachelor of Science preparatory major. She is the daughter of Grant and Darlene Gardner. She is captain of the Perkette Dance Team, and a member of the Perkinston Campus Choir, Phi Theta Kappa, and Delta Omega Gamma Chapter for National Residence Hall Honorary. She attends First Baptist Church of Columbus. She has served as a Vacation Bible School leader and music camp counselor; participated in the community production of “The Wiz”; is a member of Coleman Ministries and Charlie Brown Foundation; has served as a bellringer for the Salvation Army; and is a Humane Society volunteer. While at MGCCC, she was named to the President’s and Vice President’s lists; was a member of the 2015 MGCCC Residence Hall Association; and was selected as Spirit Beauty Queen. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education at Mississippi State University.

Courtney Holland

Courtney Holland is a sophomore from George County. She is a 2015 graduate of George County High School and is a public relations major. She is the daughter of the Rev. Jason and Jennifer Holland.  She is an MGCCC cheerleader and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Diamond Girls. She has been named to the MGCCC Vice President’s list and was selected freshman Homecoming maid. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education at The University of Southern Mississippi.

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