Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School

Mrs. Mary Kimmons, JMG Instructor at CCHS, Helps Build Future Leaders of Tomorrow

2016 8th Annual JMG Ceremony

"b"Believe in Yourself"

Pictured L-R: Nascheneil McKinnie, Aaliyah Carson, Kashayla Brady, Jamyla Jackson, Jalisa Thomas, Former President, Mary Kimmons, Job Specialist, Monesha Evans, Shuntirra Shelton, and Javon Taylor.

On November 3, 2016, Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School held its 8th Annual Jobs for Mississippi Graduates (JMG) Initiation and Installation Ceremony. The JMG annual affair was hosted by Jobs Specialist Instructor at CCHS, Mrs. Mary Kimmons. Mrs. Kimmons has been a JMG and DECA sponsor with the CCSD for eight years, as she is a retired educator tallying over 40 years of educational services collectively.

Mrs. Kimmons and some of her students traveled to Washington, D.C. during November 2016 to compete in a national speaking competition. Last year, Coahoma County Sr. High School was recognized for placing second in the national competition for the Jobs for Mississippi Graduates Program. CCHS has won the event three times.

Pictured: Chrisiana Liner, Miss JMG - 2016

Jobs for Mississippi Graduates, Inc. (JMG) is an affiliate of the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Program. The JMG drop-out prevention program is sanctioned by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). JMG maintains a partnership with the MDE that supports all aspects of the program. Each student enrolled in the class that successfully meets all requirements, receives one Carnegie unit of elective credit.

JMG is the only agency that currently runs statewide dropout prevention and employability skills classes, with a curriculum that includes middle and high school students. The program is designed to work with students with barriers to success using the National JAG Model that has a research-based curriculum with reading and math built into each module.

Volume 2, Issue 1 Fall 2014Page 2Volume 2, Issue 1

Pictured Top Left: Gwendolyn Johnson, CPE Director

Top Right: Several JMG Graduates participate in the "Lighting of the Candles" Ceremony.

Bottom L-R: Monesha Evans and her mother. George Walker and his mother, Pamela Jackson.

Bottom (Right): Jamarious Strickland, JMG Class Member

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but we must also execute." - Maya Angelou

Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School opened its doors to distinguished guests, parents, family, and friends of our illustrious JMG Class Officers and Class Members. The afternoon event featured: songs from the CCHS Choir, orchestrated by Assistant Principal John Howard, prepared gourmet meals sponsored by Mrs. Mary Kimmons, and a host of elegant surprises and gifts for the parents. The parents were in for a real treat this afternoon.

From the Desk of:Mrs. Olenza McBride,

Head Principal of CCJHS/CCHS

"It was a beautiful event, and I am very proud of our students."

JMG Parents & Student BodyPAGE 3

Volume 2, Issue 1 Fall 2014Page 4Volume 2, Issue 1

1

Chrisiana Liner is a sophomore at CCHS. She was voted Miss JMG for 2016-2017. Ms. Liner is the daughter of Talisha Weatherspoon and Chris Liner of Clarksdale, Mississippi. She is a member of the CCHS Dance Team. She is also a honor roll student. Chrisiana is a member of Mount Pleasant Methodist Baptist Church in Alligator, Mississippi. During her recreational time, she spends time honing her cosmetology skills. Chrisiana plans to become a licensed beautician after high school. Her hobbies include hairstyling, drawing, shopping, talking on the phone, and spending time with her friends. She wants to attend Coahoma Community College to further her education in cosmetology before she she enrolls in Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in Fraudulent and Criminal Investigations. She insists that she wants to make her parents proud, and she also enjoys helping others. Chrisiana considers herself to be a fun-loving, outgoing person. She wants the best things that life has to offer.

Tyreke Woodfork is a junior at CCHS. He was voted Mr. JMG for 2016-2017. Tyreke is the son of Charley and Tameka Allen of Clarksdale, Mississippi. Tyreke devoted his life to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at a very early age. He is a proud member of the New Morning Star Methodist Baptist Church in Shelby, Mississippi. He is also a member of the CCHS Varsity Football Team. CCHS made the playoffs for the first time since 2012 this year. Tyreke plans to graduate from high school and attend Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. Tyreke has ambitions to become a master engineer or carpenter. He expresses that he loves to build things and watch his work come into fruition. He hopes to become a master builder one day and become an entrepreneur in the field of engineering and architect. His main focus are passing his state exams and graduating from high school.

Chrisiana Liner & Tyreke Woodfork Mr. and Miss JMG

"Live a Fruitful Life"

Mrs. Alice Gauldin, JMG Program Mgr.

Mrs. Alice Gaulden joined Jobs for Mississippi Graduates in November of 2000.  She finds Jobs For Mississippi Graduates to be the most rewarding job she has ever had.  Her duties as a program manager are to keep abreast of what is happening and the progress being made with our student job specialists who are in the classroom every single day.  Mrs. Gaulden enjoys reading  great teacher quotes and she came across  one written by Haim G. Ginott. “Iʼve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. Itʼs my personal approach that creates the climate. Itʼs my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a childʼs life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.” After reading the quote, Mrs. Gaulden came to an uplifting conclusion. Jobs for Mississippi Graduates consist of teachers who put forth a great amount of effort to make a childʼs life joyous and inspirational. The job specialists build students up and instill in them self-worth.  The job specialists of JMG meet the students where they are, introduce them to the real world and encourage them to make decisions that will enable them to live a fruitful adult life. Mrs. Gaulden feels that it is a privilege and such a great reward to be a part of this organization. Teachers who put forth a great amount of effort to make a childʼs life joyous and inspirational. The job specialists build students up and instill in them self-worth. The job specialists of JMG meet the students where they are, introduce them to the real world and encourage them.

Volume 2, Issue 1 Fall 2014Page 5

Volume 2, Issue 1

Ceremony Reflections

Ja'Shauna Starks, President

Ja'Shauna Starks is a junior at Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School. She is a honor student and currently holds the co-captain position on the varsity cheer squad. She is also a graduate of the 2015-2016 Youth Leadership Conference of Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Ja'Shauna was inducted into the 2016-2017 Archonette Club of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She holds the distinguished position of president for the 2016-2017 Jobs for Mississippi Graduates (JMG) Career Association. Her goals are as followed: She wants to graduate from high school in the top 10 percentile of her senior class, she plans to further her education at Delta State University to work toward receiving a nursing degree as a nurse anesthesiologist.

Pictured (Center): Halesha Jackson, Vice President of Civic Awareness

Pictured: Nykeria Pointer, Leader for Community Service

Pictured: Javon Taylor, JMG Class Member

PPictured (Right): Que'Tavious Earl, JMGClass Memberi

T

Pictured: Matthew Simpson, JMG Class Member

Pictured: Donyell Houston, JMG Class Member

Volume 2, Issue 1 Fall 2014Page 6Volume 2, Issue 1

JMG CLASS MEMBERSShuntirra Shelton

Lamaria Banks and Brandalyn Cannon have a lot in common: they are both juniors at Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School, they are both honor students, they are both a member of the varsity cheer squad, and they are both graduates of the 2015-2016 Youth Leadership Conference. Lamaria was elected as the secretary for the 2016-2017 JMG Class, and Brandalyn holds the current office as Vice President of Leadership. Both of these remarkable young ladies have been inducted into the Archonette Club of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for the year 2016-2017. Lamaria plans to graduate high school and attend Coahoma Community College's nursing program. Her ultimate goal is to become a pediatrician. Brandalyn plans to attend Mississippi State.

Lamaria Banks, SecretaryBrandalyn Cannon, VP, Leadership

Pictured: Jason Allen, JMG MemberPictured: Aaliyah Carson, JMG MemberPictured: Malynda Townsend, JMG Class

Member

Shuntirra Shelton is the daughter of Laquitta and Sean Shelton. She is a sophomore student at Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School. She is a honor student, and was voted into the 2014-2015 Coahoma County Jr. High School Hall of Fame for academic achievements. After Shuntirra graduates from high school, she plans to enroll at Coahoma Community College and Mississippi State University respectively.

The JMG Class Members are listed as followed: Jason Allen, Kashayla Brady, Aaliyah Carson, Que'Tavious Earl, Monesha Evans, Katangela Gober, Donyell Houston, Zynia Houston, Armani Hudson, Ja'Myla Jackson, Dale Kirksey, Nascheneil McKinnie, Shuntirra Shelton, Matthew Simpson, Jamarius Strickland, Javon Taylor, and Malynda Townsend.

Pictured: (L) Brandalyn Cannon, (R) Lamaria Banks

Volume 2, Issue 1 Fall 2014Page 7

Volume 2, Issue 1

Family, Friends, & Understanding"Show the love, family"

Pictured (L)Ruth Collins, VP, Career Development(R) Shalandria Ivy, VP, Social Activities

Pictured (L-R): Camyra Jackson, Brandon Hornburger, Voniqua Ross, Jalisa Thomas, & Alexia Williams"2016-2017 CCHS CHOIR"

"CLASS OF 2017" SENIORS AT CCHS

Pictured: (L-R) Monesha Evans & Ja'myla Jackson, JMG Members

Dinner served for the many guests and parents that attended the evening's elegant and superb event.

Pictured (R): Nascheneil McKinnie

Pictured (R): Javon TaylorPictured (L-R): George & Ja'Myla Jackson

"Smile in the name of Love"

Volume 2, Issue 1 Fall 2014

Over a twenty year history of serving the most at-risk students in Mississippi, Jobs for Mississippi Graduates has consistently achieved a 90% or higher graduation rate. Over 20,000 students have graduated, entered the workforce, joined the military, and amazingly 65.3% have gone on to postsecondary education.

Page 8Volume 2, Issue 1

"School Drop-out Prevention"

"Mrs. Kimmons and JMG Members Tackle the Nation's Capital"

Pictured (L) Armani Hudson, JMG Member

Pictured (L): Ashley Little, Treasurer

: Jobs for Mississippi Graduates ranks in the Top 5 Performing States of Jobs for America's Graduates by providing services in over 50 schools and consistently achieving an outstanding record of success each year. All students deserve the opportunity to realize their dreams and live a successful life.

The Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.Mrs. Mary Kimmons joins the pilots in the cockpit. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at the U.S. National Park Service in D.C.

Fall 2014"Proud Parents of Fine Students" Page 9

The ultimate objective of JMG is to provide participants (in-school) with classroom and work-based learning experiences that result in a quality job leading to a career after graduation or completion of a GED. A primary objective is to keep participants in high school through graduation during the in-school phase of the program and to improve the rate of success in achieving their education and career goals. The high performance outcomes consistently achieved are accomplished through a comprehensive set of services.The dropout rate in Mississippi is at an alarming rate. Our services are needed more than ever. Help us to expand into the school districts that have high dropout rates. Our children are our future. Youths receive employability skills training in up to eight-one (81) competency areas. These competencies include: career development skills, job attainment skills, job survival skills, basic skills, leadership and self-development skills, personal skills, life survival skills, and work place skills. Additionally, students are followed up for twelve months. Positive attitudes and a little motivation can make all the difference in the world.

Pictured (R): Matthew Simpson Pictured (R): Jamarius Strickland Pictured (R): Dale Kirksey