A Celebration of All Things MGCCC
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College celebrated its 2017 Homecoming October 26-28.
The three-day celebration 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 Spa 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 1967 and 2007 football teams and cheerleaders 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
- An alumni art show
- 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
Three special dedications took place during the day –
- The Military Perk Historical Marker placed near the chapel, honoring the military buildings that were moved to the Perkinston Campus
- The Canizaro Hall Dedication Ceremony, naming a residence hall in honor of alumna Sue Ellen Canizaro
- And the George Sekul Field Dedication Ceremony, naming the football field after former football coach and alumnus George Sekul
“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 –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
Madison Anne Lock of Vancleave is a sophomore and the 2017 Jackson County Campus Homecoming Queen. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Melissa Lock of Vancleave. After graduating from MGCCC, Lock plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She is a member of the Campus Activities Board and Baptist Student Union. She was freshman class president and is currently sophomore class president, Student Government Association vice president and social planner for the Reflections Team.
Rebecca Leanne Brown of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, is a sophomore maid. She is the daughter of Angela Brown of Loden, Alabama. After completing her degree at MGCCC, she plans to major in civil engineering at the University of South Alabama. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Robotics Team. She is president of the campus Reflections Team. She has a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the Honors College.
Selena-Madison Elizabeth Kuhn of Hurley is a sophomore maid. She is the daughter of Mike Canfield and Selena Kuhn. She attended East Central High School, and upon graduation from MGCCC, she plans to major in nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi. She is the Reflections Team president and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She was also a freshman homecoming maid.
Katlyn Renee Scott of Hurley is a freshman maid. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Christy Grimme of Hurley. She attended East Central High School. After graduating from MGCCC, she plans to transfer to the University of South Alabama to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing and eventually become a nurse practitioner. She is a member of the Honors College and Student Government Association and is treasurer of the Reflections Team. She won first alternate and the Scholastic Award in the Distinguished Young Woman Program and in 2016 was the recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award.
Jessica Nicole Hutchinson of Ocean Springs is a freshman maid. She is the daughter of David and Bonnie Hutchinson. An elementary education major, she plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from MGCCC. She is a member of the Reflections Team, Student Government Association and Baptist Student Union. She was the recipient of the Mississippi Scholars Award.
Briana Joyce Kilgore of Hurley is a sophomore maid. She is the daughter of Gene and Dixie Brewer. An elementary education major, she plans to continue her education at The University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from MGCCC. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and works as a preschool teacher at Temple Baptist Child Care, where she was employee of the year. She received the East Central Civic Association Scholarship and the Academic Excellence Scholarship and is on the honor roll.
Jefferson Davis Campus
Savanna Brooke Jones of Biloxi is the 2017 Jefferson Davis Campus Homecoming Queen. She is the daughter of Larry and Sherrell Jones. She attended D’Iberville High School and graduated in 2016. She is an English (secondary education) major and plans to attend The University of Mississippi in January. She plans to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies with minors in English, Japanese and American Sign Language and be an English teacher in Japan. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Campus Activities Board and Jefferson Davis Players. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has remained on the President’s List. She received the Jackson County Japanese Award, placed in the 2017 JD’s Got Talent show and had her original song featured in a local film.
Kristiana Lauren Payton of Gulfport is the daughter of Kevin and Cassandra Payton. A sophomore maid, she currently attends both Gulfport High School and MGCCC as one of the college’s Collegiate Academy students. She will graduate from Gulfport High School in May 2018. She is a political science major and plans to attend Howard University and attend law school to become a criminal defense lawyer. She is currently interning with Sharp, Dummer and Briggs PLLC. She is a member of the Campus Activities Board.
Carissa Jewel Virgilio of Gulfport is the daughter of Damian and Susan Virgilio. A sophomore maid, she currently attends both Gulfport High School and MGCCC as one of the college’s Collegiate Academy students. She will graduate from Gulfport High School in May 2018. She is a nursing major and plans to attend the University of South Alabama and pursue a degree as a nurse practitioner. She is a member of the Campus Activities Board and Phi Theta Kappa. She also made the President’s List her freshman year.
Emily Daniele Edwards of Gulfport is the daughter of Chad and Danielle Edwards. A freshman maid, she attended Gulfport High School and graduated in 2017. She is an aerospace engineering major with a concentration in astronautics at MGCCC and plans to continue her education at Mississippi State University. She is a member of the Student Government Association and Campus Activities Board. She is also a member of the Honors College and participates in the Collegiate Academy mentorship program.
Taylor Lynn Wilkerson of Lucedale is the daughter of Darrell Wilkerson. A freshman maid, she attended George County High School and graduated in 2017. She is a Baking and Pastry Arts major and plans to attend The Mississippi University for Women after she receives her Associate of Applied Science degree at MGCCC. She is a member of the Reflections Team.
Perkinston Campus
Jasmine Clemons of Moss Point is the 017 Perkinston Campus Homecoming Queen. She graduated from Biloxi High in 2016. She is double majoring in financial planning and Spanish. She is the daughter of Bryant and Catreal Perkins. She is a member or the MGCCC cheer team. She has been in the theater program since the seventh grade and is currently enrolled in the Thespians Society. She has coached little league cheer and helped coach Moss Point High School cheer team. She graduated with honors in high school and plans to enroll at Louisiana State University to pursue a career in finance and become a bilingual realtor.
Aren Kendall Watts of Gautier is a sophomore maid. She is a 2016 graduate of Gautier High School and is a nursing major. She is the daughter of Danny Watts and Sasha Watts. She is president of both the MGCCC Reflections Team and Phi Theta Kappa; is a member of the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, The Barn, Baptist Student Union and Dog Pound; and is a leader for the MGCCC Venture Growth Group at her church in Hattiesburg. She has served as a Student Ministry leader and Vacation Bible School leader for First Baptist Church of Gautier; missioned in West Virginia and Pass Christian; and volunteered at the 2016 BBQ and Blues Festival, Wiggins Christmas Parade, Our Daily bread, End Hunger Now Society, L.O.V.E.S Kitchen in Meridian, the 2016 Buddy Walk and the 2017 Wiggins Triathlon. While at MGCCC, she has achieved both the President’s List and Vice President’s List and was named a 2016 freshman homecoming maid and the 2016 freshman class president. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Raquel Margarita Dement of Leakesville is a sophomore maid. She is a 2016 graduate of Greene County High School and is a marketing major. She is the daughter of Joseph and Aracelis Dement. She is a member of the Delta Omega Gamma chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary; Student Government Association, which she serves as marketing director; Phi Theta Kappa, which she serves as historian; and Perkette Dance Team, which she serves as captain. She has served as a Bible study leader, student missionary, worship leader, Relay for Life volunteer, Humane Society volunteer and bell ringer for the Salvation Army. While at MGCCC, she has made the Vice President’s List and has been crowned as Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Miss RHA Spirit Beauty Queen. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education at Mississippi State University.
Tavia Juwan Moore of Wiggins is a freshman maid. The daughter of Stevon and Jondena Moore, she is a 2017 graduate of Stone High School. She is a member of the MGCCC Reflections team, Campus Activities Board and Dog Pound, and is an active member at New Morning Star Baptist Church of Wiggins. She has maintained a 4.0 grade point average, and upon graduation, she plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi as a student in its Mass Communication program. She plans to pursue a career in sports/broadcast journalism.
Haleigh Kristine Powe of Ocean Springs is a freshman maid. She is a 2017 graduate of Ocean Springs High School and is a nursing major. She is the daughter of Horatio Powe and Nicole Jackson. She is an active member of Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church and serves as the president and financial secretary of The Knights of Peter Claver Junior Daughters. She also participates in the Youth Summer Work Program. She attended and volunteered for her church’s Vacation Bible School and was a member of the Pink Pearls Youth Service group for four years. After graduation, she plans on continuing her education and eventually obtain a master’s degree in nursing.
Natalie Alyssa Breland of Wiggins is the 2017 freshman football maid. She is the daughter of Doug and Tina Breland. She attended Stone High School, where she was crowned the 2016 Homecoming Queen and Miss Stone High. At MGCCC, she is a member of the Perkette Dance Team and the Baptist Student Union. She has an ACT scholarship and is majoring in journalism and broadcasting. She plans to complete her degree at a university and intern as and pursue a career as a media or editorial journalist.
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