About 100 students from Jones College’s High School Equivalency program were eligible to participate in a graduation ceremony honoring the class of 2022 with about 70 choosing to participate in the celebration. Held at the Advanced Technology Center in Ellisville, HSE graduates heard an inspiring message from the keynote speaker, a 2022 Jones College graduate and Case Manager for the Forrest/Perry County Drug Court, Shayna Clark of Petal. The 34-year-old wife and mother of two children shared her 15-year journey of addiction and recovery. Homeless and alone, Clark said her life changed when she was arrested and went to prison for the fourth time at the age of 29. For the first time, the arresting officer told Clark, she could do better and there’s a better life for her, which she finally believed.
Taking a different route, Alexis Britain of Stonewall said she plans to enter the workforce now with her welding certificate. “I’ve always been interested in doing things typically done by men. As a little girl, I loved watching my papaw who worked for a wrecker company,” said Britain.
Director of Integrated Pathways (Adult Education) Wendy Evans said more than $50,000 in scholarships were awarded to the HSE graduates because of their academic achievements. Each county’s highest scoring student earned a full tuition scholarship for two semesters at Jones College and more than $20,700 was awarded in ACT scholarships
The Clarke County highest scoring student was elementary education major, Heather Thomas of Stonewall.
Graduates from Clarke County include:
Alexis Taylor Britain, Stonewall
Mallory Blaire Downs, Enterprise
Sarah Leslie Howell, Enterprise
Heather Kay Thomas, Stonewall
