Panola College

Head Coach Eddie Kite leading the team to another victory, photo courtesy of Theresa BeasleyJanuary 19, 2017 - Wednesday night’s game was nothing less than exciting. The Fillies came out victorious over Kilgore College, 72-68. "I really like how this team competes each game. These young ladies are really developing a strong mentality of battling every game.  They are learning how to overcome adversity every night in the strongest conference in the country," stated Head Coach Eddie Kite. 

The Fillies played a tight game against the Rangers as they held on until the very end to keep their lead and finish the game out. The first half was all Panola as they headed into the locker room up 26-41. The Fillies had seemed to have the edge up on the Rangers, but Kilgore had not given up hope.

The second half was all Kilgore as they would go and outscore the Fillies 42-31, but it wasn't enough. It would be tied up at 66 with just under one minute left in the game but a quick drive and kick from Freshman Patience Okpe to Freshman Daria Eremeeva would put the Fillies back up two. The Rangers tried to get back but trips to the free throw line kept the Fillies in the lead and victorious as time expired. 

Eremeeva lead the Fillies with 15 points on the night and added 5 key rebounds. Sophomore Charlynn Perry added 14 points to the win, shooting 3-7 from behind the 3 point line. 

When asked how the Fillies will be doing against the rest of the conference, Coach Kite added "If they continue to work this hard every night, this team will be tough to deal with at the conference tournament". And he's right. With tonight’s win, the Fillies are now 5th in Region XIV standings. The top 8 teams go to the tournament conference. 

The next game will be this Saturday at 2:00 pm in A.J. Gymnasium against BPCC.

Submitted by Nalani Hernandez

Representatives from Stephen F. Austin State University met with Panola College administrators and faculty members to sign a Memorandum of Understanding creating a partnership for a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree.

January 19, 2017 - Panola College and Stephen F. Austin State University have entered into an agreement that will create a seamless transition allowing students in technical programs at Panola to transfer coursework toward a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences (BAAS) at SFASU.

Administrators from both Panola College and SFASU met Thursday, Jan. 12, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the partnership. Beginning in fall 2017, Panola College students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in an energy technology program may transfer the required 45 technical hours and complete a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree at SFASU.

Dr. Greg Powell, President of Panola College, signs the Memorandum of Understanding as Dr. Baker Pattillo, President of Stephen F. Austin State University looks on.Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President, said the agreement paves the way for students who wish to further their education beyond the Associate of Applied Science degree.

“Panola College has a high level of cooperation and leadership with SFA. When we have people on our advisory boards tell us that employees who have completed associate degrees at Panola College have the potential to move into management roles that require bachelor’s degrees, we want to step up to the plate and help them,” he said.

The agreement includes a dual admissions process, with applications and transcripts going to both Panola College and SFA at the time the students register and declare their intention to work towards the BAAS degree.

Initially, the agreement benefits students who have completed associate degrees in an Energy Technology program and wish to start the bachelor’s degree program in fall 2017. The second degree included in the articulation agreement is for a BAAS degree in Ranch & Land Management. This new technical area was piloted at Panola in 2016, and courses for the associate degree will be in place in fall 2017.

The Ranch & Land Management program provides practical and educational experiences in animal science, basic electrical, mechanical engines, soil science, whitetail deer management, and pasture management.  Ranch & Land Management majors will be prepared to manage farms, ranches and other agricultural businesses.

The School of Energy at Panola College offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in Electrical & Instrumentation, Natural Gas Compression, Petroleum Technology, and Welding Technology. 

The SFASU Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) allows students to apply credits earned through community college vocational or technical programs, military training, and occupational licensure or certification toward completion of a bachelor’s degree.

“SFA is the university of choice for Panola College students,” said Dr. Joe Shannon, Vice President of Instruction. “We are excited about the opportunity to work with SFA to provide our technical students with bachelor’s degree options.”

Panola College administrators and faculty members participating in the signing were Dr. Powell; Dr. Shannon; Don Clinton, Vice President Student Services; Troy Caserta, Vice President for Fiscal Services; Jessica Pace, Director of Institutional Advancement; Natalie Oswalt, Dean of Professional & Technical Programs; Jeremy Dorman, Registrar; Daniel Hall, Department Chair, School of Energy; Jim Permenter, Professor, School of Energy; Michael Pace, Instructor, School of Energy; Ernest Spencer, Professor, School of Energy; Laura Vance, Professor, School of Energy, and Tim Singletary, Professor, School of Energy.

SFASU administrators at the event included Dr. Baker Pattillo, President; Dr. Steve Westbrook, Vice President for University Affairs; Dr. Steve Bullard, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Danny Gallant, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Jill Still, Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Brian Murphy, Dean, College of Liberal and Applied Arts (CLAA); Dr. Hans Williams, Interim Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry & Agriculture; Dr. Marc Guidry, Associate Dean, CLAA; Dr. Steve Cooper, Associate Dean, CLAA; and Carolyn Hardy, Assistant Director, Admissions and Transfer Services.

January 17, 2017 - Panola College invites all Fillies basketball alumni to come out on February 11th at 5:30 pm. The Fillies will recognize former players for their contribution to Panola College during half time of their conference game against Coastal Blend. Players are asked to join the current team for a BBQ dinner after the game.

If you are Fillies basketball alumni and would like to participate, please contact Assistant Coach Nalani Hernandez at 903-693-1102.

Submitted by Nalani Hernandez

January 16, 2017 - What seemed to be a complete chaotic match between two bitter rivals, ended in favor of the Apaches. The Fillies dropped another conference game against Tyler Junior College, 88-85.

In the back-and-forth battle between the two, 15 lead changes occurred. Tyler scored the first basket of the game, but Panola quickly answered to tie it up and the rest of the game would continue as so. One team would be up, while the other did all the right things to tie it up or put them in the lead. 

In the first quarter, the Lady Apaches took control and finished 15-19. But the second quarter was a different story. The Fillies fought their way back after trading a few buckets and came out on top, to take the half 44-36. 

In the start of the 3rd quarter, Tyler brought more intensity and grabbed an offensive rebound to jump start their 15-6 run that put them up by 1 at 50-51. Tyler would take multiple trips to the free throw line for some three point plays that helped them take the lead. The Fillies hadn't given in, as they traded more baskets with Tyler and tied it up at 67 with: 04 seconds left in the quarter. A last second buzzer shot by Tyler's Lakendra Bassett, put them up in the third, 67-70.

It was the same battle in the fourth, a nail biter, to say the least. The Fillies took the lead with 4:36 left in the game up 79-77, then again at 83-80. Tyler fought back to make it a 1 point game at 83-82, but a pair of free throws from Freshman Ekaterina Karchevskaya, would put the Fillies back up 3. The free throws would be the Fillies final baskets of the game. Tyler found a way and kept the lead, little by little, with help from the free throw line. The Fillies would get one last shot at the basket but it wouldn't be enough as time expired. 

Sophomore Genesis Rivera led the Fillies with her second career double-double on the night with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Patience Okpe added 10 points, 6 assists and 3 steals to the mix as well. 

The Fillies are now 3-4 in conference and 12-5 overall. The next game is at Kilgore College on Wednesday night, January 18th, at 5:30 pm.

Submitted by Nalani Hernandez

January 16, 2017 Baytown, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball team lost to Lee College here Saturday evening, 90-81. The loss drops the Ponies record to 12-6 and 4-3 in Region 14 play. “We had opportunities to finish the ball game.” Stated head coach Grant McMillan. “Their length bothered us at the end of the game and our turnovers led to too many easy baskets.” He added.

Panola started strong out of the gate and took a 13 point lead, 27-14. Lee battled back to take a four point lead 43-39 with just over 4:00 remaining in the half. A late flurry of baskets gave Panola a 51-45 halftime lead. Panola maintained a steady lead most of the second half before Lee took a 75-74 lead with 5:51 remaining in the ball game. Both teams went back and forth before a Lee three point play gave them a 5 point lead, 83-78 and ultimately the victory.

Marlon Taylor had his best statistical game of the year netting 25 points and chasing down 11 rebounds. Devyn Wilson and Tyonte Robertson both added 15 points. Rounding out the double-digit scores was Tope Arikawe with 12 points. KJ Byers had six rebound and four blocks in the loss. As a team, Panola committed 15 turnovers and only shot 39 percent from the field.

Panola has the bye next week before they host Navarro College next Saturday, January 21st. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM in AJ Gym on the campus of Panola College.

Submitted by Adam Blaylock

Image Credit: Brenda Biondo, Miracle Lifetime Whirl, Hudson, CO, 2011; color photograph, 28 1/2 x 20 inches; Courtesy of the artist.

January 13, 2017 - The classic metal and wood structures that have populated playgrounds for most of the twentieth century—towering metal slides, giant jungle gyms, whirling merry-go-rounds, bouncing seesaws—have become beloved artifacts of childhood. They are part of the personal histories of most Americans over the age of 30, as well as a tangible piece of the country’s cultural and industrial design heritage. In celebration of this heritage, Once Upon a Playground opens January 30, 2017 in the Allison Gallery of the M.P. Baker Library of Panola College.

Once Upon a Playground offers a visual tribute to these vanishing playgrounds of our past, celebrating their place in American culture and the collective memories of generations. Co-curated by Brenda Biondo, author of Once Upon a Playground: A Celebration of Classic American Playgrounds, 1920–1975 and Carol Johnson, recently retired curator of photography at the Library of Congress, the exhibition combines contemporary photographs of classic equipment, vintage images of playground scenes from the Library of Congress’ collections, and images from period playground catalogs and other ephemera. By bringing together these diverse sources, the exhibition highlights a playground vernacular that developed over decades, while providing historical context and cultural insight.

Playground equipment often reflected the popular culture of the times, as geometric metal and wood apparatus of the 1920s and 1930s gradually gave way to pieces in the shape of cowboys and Indians, storybook characters, rocket ships and satellites, motorcycles, and geodesic domes.

Unfortunately, as communities have renovated their parks and schoolyards, classic playground equipment has virtually disappeared from many parts of the country. Yet these icons of childhood still trigger fond memories for countless Americans and remain a ubiquitous product of America’s industrial design heyday.

Once Upon a Playground is organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, Kansas City, MO.  This exhibit is free and open to the public. It will be on display until February 28, 2017. For additional information please call the library at 903-693-2052 or email Sherri Baker at sherri.baker@panola.edu.

About ExhibitsUSA

This exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 25 exhibitions on tour to over 100 small- and mid-sized communities every year. These exhibitions create access to an array of arts and humanities experiences, nurture the understanding of diverse cultures and art forms, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. For more about ExhibitsUSA, email MoreArt@maaa.org or visit www.eusa.org.

About Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout our region and beyond. We achieve this primarily through our national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development, and strategic grant making. We are especially committed to enriching the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services. Each year M-AAA’s programs reach one million people. We believe in more art for more people. Additional information about M-AAA is available at www.maaa.org.

Submitted by Sherri Baker

February 13, 2017 - Corsicana, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball team defeated Navarro College here Saturday evening, 76-71. With the victory, Panola raises their record to 18-7 and 10-4 in Region 14 play. “Our guys just never gave up. It was that simple.” Coach Grant McMillan mentioned. “They looked each other in the eye and help each other accountable. I was a proud coach after the game.” He added.

The game was delayed three hours due to a tire blowout leaving Panola stranded in Jacksonville, Texas waiting for repairs.

Panola found themselves down early in the first half, 12-12 with 11:03 remaining. It was much of the same for the rest of the half as the Ponies were down 42-29 at halftime. Navarro increased their lead to 16 points with 15:33 remaining in the game before Panola began to claw back. A TJ Killings dunk with 9:09 remaining in the game cut the Navarro lead to 57-51. Later in the half, Keith Hayes was fouled on a layup, after review the officials called an intentional foul. Hayes made both free throws and another layup on the ensuing possession giving him six straight. Devyn Wilson hit a three pointer with 41.5 seconds remaining to ice the game.

Hayes led the way offensively for the Ponies with 17 points. Tope Arikawe recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Eric McGill and Devyn Wilson both netted 10 points. As a team Panola only committed one turnover in the second half and held Navarro to just 29 second half points.

Panola continues Region 14 play when they host Trinity Valley Community College this upcoming Saturday, February 18th. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM on the campus of Panola College.

Submitted by Adam Blaylock

January 12, 2017 - The Fillies take their fourth loss of the season on Wednesday night to Trinity Valley, 81-65.

"I think we battled." Stated Head Coach Eddie Kite. "We came in and hung in there as best as we could, we just made too many little mental mistakes."

To kick off the game, the Fillies jumped out on top early with the first bucket and forced 6 Trinity Valley turnovers in just the first 3 minutes. After a media timeout, the Lady Cardinals got their groove back and went head strong to take the first quarter 22-6. That would be one of the biggest leads of the night. H0wever, in the second quarter, the Fillies were able to cut the lead to 8 with a 15-7 run sparked by Sophomore Denasia Watson getting to the free throw line and Sophomore Amanda Cruz hitting two back-to-back three pointers. Shortly after, Trinity would again come back and make a big run, ending the half up 42-25.

The Fillies were able to outscore their opponent 40-39 in the second half, but it just was not enough for them to get a victory. Patience Okpe led the Fillies with 17 points on the night and Sophomore Denasia Watson added double digits with 10 points.

With the loss on the night, the Fillies are now 3-3 in conference and 12-4 overall.

The next game will be Saturday, January 14th, as the Fillies host the Lady Apaches of Tyler Junior College, at 5:30.

Submitted by Nalani Hernandez

January 12, 2017 - Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education offers an array of health care and wellness training opportunities this spring.

Three Certified Nurse Aide classes begin on Tuesday, Jan. 17 and continue through May 4. Cost for the program is $580. Options for class times include 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday through Thursday, 1-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 5:15-9:15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. A fourth CNA class begins January 18 and runs through May 8 with classes meeting from 5:15-9:15 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday.

“We set up these flexible class times to accommodate our students because we recognize they may already have family and existing job responsibilities. By offering morning, afternoon, and evening class times, interested students should be able to find a time that works with their schedule,” said Whitney McBee, Director of Workforce and Continuing Education.

To find out more about the Certified Nurse Aide class, go to the Panola College website at https://www.panola.edu/wkfc-cont-ed/CNA.html.

A Medication Aide course begins on February 2 and runs through May 4. This is section one of a two-part program. Classes will meet from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Cost is $350.

A three-month Dental Assisting course begins on February 3 and runs through April 28, with classes meeting from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Fridays, and occasional Saturdays. Cost is $1,799, and more information is available at http://www.panola.edu/wkfc-cont-ed/dental-asst.html.

A Massage Therapy course will begin February 28 and run through March 2018. Classes in this one-year program will meet from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on alternating Saturdays. Cost is $4,199. Find out more at https://www.panola.edu/wkfc-cont-ed/massagetherapy.html.

Workforce and Continuing Education will also offer a Pharmacy Technician program beginning March 8 and running through May 22. Classes meet from 6-9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $999, and more information can be found at http://www.panola.edu/alumni/alumni-news/042213pharmacytech.html.

EKG Technician Training will be available from March 27 through May 15, with classes meeting from 6-9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $999.

Students must pre-register to participate in Workforce and Continuing Education classes. Contact the office at 903-693-2067 or email ce@panola.edu. The office is located in the Merle Glass Building.

Submitted by Donna Yates

January 12, 2017 - Carthage, Texas – The Panola College men’s basketball game defeated Region 14 foe, Jacksonville College here Wednesday night, 75-71. With the victory, Panola raises their record to 12-5 and 4-2 in Region 14 play. “We got back to our identity tonight, half-court defense.” Head coach Grant McMillan stated. “It is really fun to watch this group fly around. I was proud of their effort all night.” He Added.

Panola used steady shooting from the three point line in the first half to claim a four point half time lead, 44-40. In the first half the Ponies netted, seven three-pointers. In a slower paced second half, Panola gradually increased their lead to 12 points, 59-47 with 11:07 remaining in the half. Jacksonville made a strong comeback effort but never got any closer than four points.

Tyonte Robertson’s led the Ponies in scoring with 24 points. Robertson netted six three-pointers in the victory and made all six of his free throw attempts. Devyn Wilson continued his strong play netting 13 points and Tope Arikawe recorded a double-double in the victory with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Keith Hayes also scored in double figures with 10. Panola shot 18-21 from the free throw line for the game and held Jacksonville to 31 second half points.

The Ponies will continue Region 14 play when they head to Baytown, Texas to take on Lee College this upcoming Saturday, January 14th. Tip-off is set for 6:00 PM on the campus of Lee College.

Submitted by Adam Blaylock

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