Shelby County Today

January 6, 2017 - Port Arthur, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball team traveled to Port Arthur, Texas Friday night and defeated Lamar State College Port Arthur, 79-74. The victory raises Panola’s record to 9-5 and 2-2 in Region 14 play. “There are no easy games in this league and it’s extremely hard to win on the road. Our guys responded, battled and found a way to win.” Head Coach Grant McMillan stated. “I think a lot of the early season adversity helped us win the ball game.” He added.

After taking an 8-6 lead, Port Arthur went on a massive 17-0 run to take a 23-8 lead with 9:48 remaining in the first half. Panola turned up their offensive intensity and went on a major run of themselves to end the half. Hitting six three-pointers in the final 9:00 of the first half, Panola took the halftime lead 39-33. For the majority of the second half the Ponies held a steady lead until Port Arthur connected on a three-point play and a traditional three-point play on consecutive possessions to take a 66-62 lead with 4:42 seconds remaining. Alex Holcombe scored four straight points and back-to-back three pointers by Juwan Williams and Jeffrey Boyd gave Panola the lead for good and ultimately the victory.

Marlon Taylor came off the bench and recorded a double-double, tallying 23 points and 12 rebounds. Williams nailed five three-points in route to 19 points. TJ Killings chipped in with 12 points while Holcombe recorded six blocks in the victory. As a team Panola shot 54 percent from three.

Panola continues Region 14 play when the host Angelina College this upcoming Monday, January 8th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM on the campus of Panola College, AJ Gym.

January 2, 2018 - Panola College/Shelby College Center is offering Beginning Yoga classes January 8th – February 14th. The class will meet Monday and Wednesday from 5:05 pm – 6:05 pm. The cost of the class is $45.00 and pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email tmccann@panola.edu

Panola College is an Equal Opportunity Institution that provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

December 15, 2017 - On Thursday, December 14, 2017, Panola College conducted its 80th commencement in the Arthur Johnson Gymnasium. The first ceremony took place at 5:00 p.m. followed by a second ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Panola College had 209 degree and certificate candidates and over 130 of those students participated in the commencement ceremonies.

At the start of both ceremonies, Dr. Billy Adams, Vice President of Instruction, presented each graduating class of fall 2017 as Dr. Gregory Powell, President of Panola College led the processional of board members, faculty, staff, and students in to be seated while “Pomp and Circumstance” was played in the background.

Following the alma mater, sang by Panola College Chorale, and directed by Mrs. Sandra Bauer, Don Cocklin, psychology professor, gave the invocation. Powell then welcomed the assembled and gave opening remarks. Before the awards ceremony, Adams certified to Powell and members of the Panola College Board of Trustees that the graduating students had completed all work necessary to graduate from Panola College.

Dr. Kathy Watlington, Professor of Foreign Languages, then began the reading of graduates and Powell awarded diplomas to all graduating students.

For the closing of both ceremonies, Mr. Ernest Spencer, School of Energy professor, gave the benediction, followed by Dr. Powell leading the recessional to the closing instrumentals.

Panola College fall 2017 graduates pose for photos before their commencement ceremony.


Members of Phi Theta Kappa, a community college honor society, pause to take a photo together before commencement.


Panola College President, Dr. Greg Powell, awarded diplomas to over 130 graduates that attended commencement.

Panola College is proud to announce the following fall 2017 Honor Graduates:

Summa Cum Laude 3.90 – 4.00

• Martha Mary Brown (Pineland, TX)
• Daniel Quetzala Castillo (Garrison, TX)
• Paola Rangel Grande (Logansport, LA)
• Rebecca Padron Loredo (Beckville, TX)

Magna Cum Laude 3.75 – 3.89

• Cindy Baldazo (Overton, TX)
• Trevor Wayne Deal (Waskom, TX)
• Jenna King Mount (Enterprise, TX)
• Shaina Lane (Henderson, TX)

Cum Laude 3.50 – 3.74

• Alma Cristela Angeles (Beckville, TX)
• Kayla Jean Avery (Carthage, TX)
• Savannah Storm Battles (San Augustine, TX)
• Urias Quetzala Castillo (Garrison, TX)
• Joshua Allan Edge (Garrison, TX)
• Cody Michael Lake (Carthage, TX)
• Chance Collin Lunsford (Garrison, TX)
• William H. McClure Jr (Carthage, TX)
• Dana Lee McDaniel (Gary, TX)
• Holly Kristina Royer (Timpson, TX)
• Emmalee Tomaszewski (Tenaha, TX)

December 12, 2017 - Members of the Panola College Chorale performed along with choirs from Dallas-area community colleges in Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata,” on Sunday, Dec. 3, at Central Lutheran Church in Dallas. 

Panola College was the only college outside the Dallas area that participated, according to Sandra Bauer, Panola College Vocal Music professor.

“We had 19 students who performed this extremely difficult music,” she said. “It took a lot of extra rehearsal time to perfect it, and I was pleased that my students were willing to put in the extra effort and extra time to audition for a chance to participate.”

Panola College students joined with singers from Richland College, Brookhaven College, and Tarrant County College-Northeast. Others performing included the Brookhaven Handbell Ensemble, Brookhaven Choral Society, Texas Woman’s University Chamber Singers, and The Vivace Madrigals.

Panola College singers making the trip included Ronke Ajoniloju, Nigeria; Shelby Brown, Carthage; Meosha Brown, Carthage;  Ahmadreion Casel, Jacksonville;  Loren Caserta, Beckville; Zakayla Cooper, Carthage; Afrikina Dotson, Center; Brittany Fendall, Shreveport; Emma Harden, Tyler; Tyesha High, Jacksonville; Madison Hudson, Garrison; Shannon James, Tenaha; Hunter Moon, Beckville; Nichole Painter, Marshall; Kyana Reagan, Lufkin; Mia Sartor, Carthage; Ahna Stacy, Carthage; Jame’Cia Taylor, Carthage;  and Sydnee Taylor, Carthage.

As part of the program, the Panola College Chamber Singers performed “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel,” an ancient chant arranged by John Englert. The Singers performed this piece at Christmas in Carthage this year. The Dallas performance program was entitled “Sing Noel, Lessons & Carols for Advent & Christmas,” featuring the Festival Community College Choirs and Ensembles.

“This was the first year this event has ever happened. Melody Gamblin Bullock, director at Brookhaven, approached me at the Texas Music Educators Association last year with the idea of combining choirs to produce a major work,” Bauer said.

While in Dallas, the Panola College group attended a performance of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which featured music from the nationally recognized organ that is part of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

“The majority of our students had never been to a symphony, much less one as incredible as the Dallas Symphony. It was the Christmas Pops Show, so the Dallas Symphony Chorus performed, and our students were able to hear that choir, which was absolute perfection,” Bauer added.

Shannon James, a Panola College vocal music student, said, “Singing the piece by Pinkham with several Dallas community colleges was already amazing, but thanks to Mrs. Bauer, we got to experience the Dallas Symphony. The trip was an incredible experience and I’m so grateful to be a part of the Panola College Music Department.”