Panola College
September 15, 2016 - Panola College and Portacool, LLC have teamed up to offer current Portacool employees the opportunity to improve their skills thanks to a Skills Development Fund grant. The $72,670 state grant is funded by the Texas Workforce Commission, and will allow workers to increase their skill level and an opportunity to further their career. The Skills Development Fund is the primary job-training program used by the Texas Workforce Commission to provide local and customized training for Texas businesses.
“Success, we believe, is achieved through collaboration among businesses, the public community, technical colleges, the Workforce Development Boards and economic development partners,” said Diane Mosley, Texas Workforce Commission Project Development Specialist in Austin.
During the 12-month period of the grant, Panola College will provide customized training to Portacool employees. In addition to paying for instruction, the grant covers the cost of new equipment needed to successfully complete the training.
According to Whitney McBee, Director of Workforce & Continuing Education, this is not the first time Panola College and Portacool have teamed up for the betterment of the workforce. The College is excited to partner with the Center, Texas-based Portacool again at the Shelby Regional Training Center (SRTC).
“Panola College faculty and visiting contract instructors will train the Portacool employees in a variety of subjects, including leadership, office skills, and customer service, as well as hydraulic and forklift operations,” McBee said. “We have even contracted with a professional for a two-day session on plastics and molding equipment.”
The courses Panola College will provide includes basic electrical and commercial wiring and programmable logic control. The grant provides funds for the purchase of a new electrical systems training unit. Upon completion of the grant with Portacool, this training unit will remain with Panola College at the SRTC to be used for credit courses and training for other area employers.
The Portacool Human Resources Department said employees will be allowed to attend training during their regular working hours and the training they receive will be specific to their jobs and customized to fit the needs of Portacool’s growth and expansion plans.
It has been more than 25 years since Portacool was founded in East Texas. The company’s growth has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“In 1990, we started with one product and two entrepreneurs in Center,” said Ben Wulf, CEO of Portacool, LLC. “We have grown into an international company with a full line of portable evaporative coolers used everywhere from Texas Stadium to the Sheik’s Mosque in Abu Dhabi. We’ve kept our headquarters and manufacturing plant in Center because we appreciate the workforce, the culture and overall pride of our East Texas roots.”
Portacool evaporative coolers are distributed nationally and in 56 countries. The skills development grant funds will assist in training employees to compete in the international market.
“Through the training attained in this Skills Development project, all Portacool tradesmen and supervisors will be cross-trained in multiple skill sets with outcomes customized to address individual skill deficiencies,” said Rob Kennedy, Portacool Chief Financial Officer. “As part of our strategic vision, Portacool will be able to expand by consolidating operations and utilizing our own dedicated multi-skilled employees to support manufacturing and distribution of current and future volumes.”
Panola College leadership looks forward to the opportunity to implement this program as a stepping-stone to elevating the status of East Texas to entice corporate and industrial development.
“We believe this Skills Development Grant is a win-win for Panola College and Portacool,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President. “We are proud of the partnership that we have with Shelby County, and the work we are doing through the SRTC and the Shelby College Center.”
About Portacool
Portacool, LLC is the worldwide manufacturing leader in the portable evaporative cooling industry providing cooling solutions that protect against heat stress and discomfort in hard-to-cool spaces. The company is dedicated to worksite safety, productivity, sustainability and social responsibility by providing a variety of cooling products “When Comfort Counts™”. Headquartered in Center, Texas for more than 25 years, Portacool products are made in the USA with domestic and global parts. To learn more or find a retailer, nationally or internationally, go to www.portacool.com or reach live support at 888-695-2942.
September 12, 2016 - The Panola College Fillies picked up another win Friday with a sweep over host Temple College (25-22, 25-16, 25-21) to move to 9-2 overall on the season.
Offensive balance has been a key factor for the Fillies this season, and once again PC had four players with 8 or more kills. Sophomore outside Ana Oliveira led all hitters with 11, sophomore middle blocker Rachel Henderson and sophomore outside Victoria Baptista had 9 apiece, and freshman right side Jaqueline da Silva added 8. Freshman middle blocker Barbara Sabino also made key contributions with 5 kills and 5 block assists.
Defensively Rachel Henderson dominated the net with 5 block assists and 1 solo block, while Victoria Baptista was also instrumental picking up 4 block assists and 1 solo. Sophomore Libero Morgan Currie anchored the floor defense with 15 digs and Ana Oliveira added 9.
Freshman setters Cayman Sutton and Kinly Carter dished out 21 assists apiece in leading Panola to a stellar season-high .409 team hitting percentage.
The Fillies will return to action Wednesday night when they host Region XIV rival Tyler Junior College. First serve will be at 7pm at Arthur Johnson Gym.
September 8, 2016 - Alex Korniyenko’s shift as a paramedic in New York City on September 11, 2001, was scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m.
“I woke up around eight o’clock and had a cup of coffee. About 8:45, I realized my phone was bombarded with calls. I looked out of the window and saw the smoke coming out of the South Tower,” he said.
He immediately called his supervisor and was told about a major deployment.
“We didn’t know if this was terrorism or a tragic accident. I jumped in my car and drove to the nearest station where I was deployed. As our truck was going through the Battery Tunnel, the South Tower collapsed. Coming out of the Tunnel, we could see nothing but white fog. We could smell hot, melted steel and burning flesh, dirt in the air…you can’t see, you can’t breathe. All the pulverized glass burned your eyes, burned your lungs,” he recalls.
Korniyenko had been on the job only two weeks when the Towers were hit. He had begun studying to become an emergency medical technician when he was 17, and next became a paramedic. He started his education at a community college, earning an Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Management, and was working on a bachelor’s degree while holding down a full time job as a paramedic for the NYC Fire Department.
“I was brand new and very excited. September 11 was a beautiful, sunny day in New York,” he said. By the end of that day, more than 400 of Korniyenko’s friends and colleagues had lost their lives trying to rescue people from the Twin Towers.
Now a cardiologist with Tyler Cardiology Consultants, Korniyenko serves hospitals and clinics throughout the East Texas Region, including making several visits a month to ETMC-Carthage. He shared his September 11 experiences at the Panola College Lunchbox Lecture on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
On Sunday, Sept. 11, the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attack, he will attend a reunion of first responders in New York City.
“It will be part of the process of healing,” he said. “Every day, we need to appreciate firefighters, police officers and other rescue personnel. They do an excellent job, day and night, as they are protecting us.”
He said the only reason he is here today is because his shift did not start until 11:30. If he had been on an earlier shift, he might have been inside the South Tower when it fell.
“Nobody thought the building could collapse. When triage happens, when you take the injured to be treated, we had it set up by the building. Firefighters went into the building with no fear that the building could collapse,” he said.
“When the South Tower collapsed, that’s when we realized the extent of this well-planned terrorist attack.”
At that point, the rescue operation changed, and workers started pulling people farther back away from the buildings.
“The planes had so much diesel, so much burning fuel, that the buildings collapsed like dominoes, floor by floor. It wasn’t something anyone would expect or could have predicted. After the second building collapsed, the rescue changed. We knew there would not be that many people who could be rescued. Because of all the hot metal, all the fumes, all the gases, the temperature of what was under the buildings was thousands of degrees. If it was able to melt the buildings, you can only imagine what would have happened to the people underneath,” he said.
Korniyenko said the rescue teams never gave up hope. Throughout the remainder of September and October, rescue crews were on the scene with dogs and trucks, hoping against hope to find survivors.
“At that point, deep inside, we knew that whoever was going to come out had come out, and whoever was left behind, probably was not coming out. But we never gave up hope,” he said.
Korniyenko said we will always remember the 2,500 people who went to work that day and never came home.
“I don’t have much to say, or maybe I have blocked out some of the details. Some of it should not be told. I hope you can understand what we went through that day. I want you to pray on September 11 for all the people who were lost, because unity is what makes us stronger,” he said.
September 8, 2016 - After dropping the opening set, the Panola College Fillies took down Navarro College (20-25, 25-12, 25-17, 25-10) in dominating fashion.
The Fillies offense boasted 4 players with 8 or more kills including outside Victoria Baptista who led the way with 12. Sophomore outside Ana Oliveira, freshman middle blocker Barbara Sabino, and sophomore middle Rachel Henderson combined for 24 kills (8) apiece. Cayman Sutton dished out 21 of Panola's 36 assists and Morgan Currie led the defense with 12 digs.
The Fillies return to action this Friday at Temple College at 5pm.
Submitted by Jane Hays
September 7, 2016 - The Shelby College Center LVN Program is now accepting applications through October 1, 2016 for the classes starting in January 2017. You may pick up an application at the Shelby College Center located at 3600 Loop 500 East Center, Texas 75935 or at the Carthage Campus in the Health and Natural Science building Nursing Department at 1119 W. Panola Carthage, Texas 75633. For more information please contact: Rachel Paddie 936-598-9543 ex: 6006 or Brandi Holloway: 903-694-4026 Applic ation requirements can be found on the Panola College website at www.panola.edu.
September 5, 2016 - The Panola College Fillies opened the weekend at the San Jacinto Military Appreciation Tournament with a dominating sweep of Lee College (25-13, 25-20, 25-21). Sophomore outside hitter Victoria Baptista led the offense with 11 kills on a blistering .688 hitting percentage. Freshman right side Jaqueline da Silva, sophomore outside Ana Oliveira, and sophomore middle blocker Rachel Henderson combined for 27 kills (9) apiece. Freshman setter Kinly Carter dished out 22 assists and freshman setter Cayman Sutton added 16 of her own. Sophomore libero Morgan Currie led the defense with 15 digs and freshman defensive specialist Camie Copeland added 9.
In their second match the Fillies took on #3 Hillsborough Community College from Tampa, FL and fell in straight sets (20-25, 22-25, 22-25). Ana Oliveira and Jaqueline da Silva paced the offense with 10 kills each. The setting duo of Cayman Sutton and Kinly Carter combined for 36 assists, 17 and 16 respectively. Morgan Currie finished with 11 digs and Victoria Baptista added 8.
Day two began with a sweep of Victoria College (25-18, 25-22, 25-21). Ana Oliveira led the offense with 12 kills with an impressive .579 hitting percentage. Victoria Baptista picked up 9, and freshman middle blocker Barbara Sabino added 6 kills on 8 swings. Kinly Carter picked up 19 assists and Cayman Sutton added 15. Blocking proved to be the key difference maker for Panola with the team picking up 14 total blocks that included 7 solos. Victoria Baptista proved to be a dominating presence at the net, picking up 2 solo blocks and assisting on 3 more. Freshman libero Camie Copeland led the floor defense with 11 digs and Baptista added 6.
In the final match of the weekend, Panola lost a heartbreaker to #17 Wharton County Junior College in 5 sets (25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 17-25, 9-15). Once again Ana Oliveira paced the offense with a season high of 20 kills and 16 digs. Jaqueline da Silva picked up 11 kills and 11 digs and Victoria Baptista added 9 kills and 20 digs. Cayman Sutton and Kinly Carter combined for 59 assists (28) and (29) apiece, and libero Morgan Currie picked up her season high in digs with 29.
The Fillies return to action Wednesday when they host Navarro College for the opening of Region XIV North play. First serve will be at 7pm in Arthur Johnson Gymnasium.
August 31, 2016 - Panola College Drama presents Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play by Lauren Wilson as its annual dinner theatre/dessert matinee on Friday, September 16, Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18. This hilarious spoof of the classic Stevenson’s novella will keep the audience in stitches as this fast-paced comedy takes the stage and is appropriate for all ages.
Starring in the production are Chris Caudle, Center, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde; Allysa Woods, Carlisle, Ambrosia Jekyll; Braden Wood, Center, Euphonia Jekyll; Caleb Wilson, Leon, Xavier Utterson; Jaramie Martin, Martinsville, Lady Throckmortonshire; Isabella Flesher, Carlisle, Calliope/Penelope; Kayla Featherston, Chandler, Ivy; Sarah Funderburk, Carthage, Plodgett; Timothy “Yancy” Flores, Shelbyville, the Constable; Peter Zarate, Hillsboro, the Lieutenant; Tyler Baird, Wortham, Painter; Julian Johnson, Wyatt Windham, and Andrew Lindsey, Shelbyville; Carolers; and Max Fenton, Shelbyville, MC/Chimney Sweep.
Crewing are Nicole Lawhorn, Beckville, Assistant Director; Dallas O’Donnell, Center, Stage Manager; Chris “Dante” Smith, Lighting Design; Tristan Smith, Center, Scene Design; Emily Jolly, Center, Prop Design; Destiney Caskey, Gary and Lacie Sepulvado, Mt. Enterprise, Costume Design; Shannon Henshaw, Carlisle, Make-Up Design, Brandon Castillo, Huntsville, SFX; Erin Anthony, Chireno, Sound and Music; Allen Avendano, Center, House and Box Office Manager. Scenic Painting was created and produced by Katy Chance.
Prior to the Dinner Theatre production, the Panola Improv Players will present comedy sketches and musical numbers.
The Dinner Theatre is held on Friday and Saturday, with doors opening at 5;30 p.m. and dinner served from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m., the show begins at 7:00 p.m. A full meal featuring Italian Cuisine, salad, bread, dessert, coffee, tea, and water will be served. The Dessert Matinee is on Sunday, September 18 with doors opening at 1:00 p.m., and a selection of desserts, coffee, tea, and water served from 1:00 p.m. until 1:50 p.m., the show starts at 2 p.m. All performances are in the Studio Theatre, located in the annex of the Q.M. Martin Auditorium on the Panola College campus at 1109 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633
Dinner Theatre tickets are $35.00 for Adults; $30.00 for Panola College staff, faculty, and family, students, and senior citizens, and $25.00 for children 12 and under. The Dessert Matinee tickets are $20.00 for adults; $15.00 for Panola College staff, faculty, and family, students, and senior citizens, and $10.00 for children 12 and under.
Reservations are required as seating is limited for this often sold-out event. If one uses the online ticketing service, one may receive $5.00 off every ticket purchased by entering the Promotional code: Online-Ticket when using a credit or debit card to reserve your tickets. To reserve online, go to www.panola.edu –and click on Online Ticket Sales located under Quick Links at the bottom of the web page. You may also call 903-693-2064 or email: tickets@panola.edu.
Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play is produced by special permission from Dramatists Play Services, Inc.
August 30, 2016 - In their first game back in Arthur Johnson Gym in two years, the 14th ranked Panola College Fillies took down Brookhaven College in 3 sets (25-17, 25-19, 25-13).
Freshman right side hitter Jaqueline da Silva led the Fillies in kills with 10, sophomore middle Rachel Henderson and sophomore outside hitter Ana Oliveira pitched in 8 apiece, and freshman outside Melanie Casteel added 5. Freshman setters Cayman Sutton and Kinly Carter dished out 18 assists each and Carter picked up a team high 3 aces. Ana Olivera led the defense with 14 digs, freshman defensive specialist Camie Copeland picked up 12, and sophomore libero Morgan Currie added 9.
The Fillies will travel to San Jacinto this weekend for their annual Patriot Day Tournament where they will face off against Region XIV south opponent Lee College at 11am Friday and then return to action later that day against the #3 ranked team in the Nation Hillsborough College at 3pm.
August 30, 2016 - The Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education division is offering CDL training in partnership with Lufkin Truck Driving Academy. The training program is from September 5– September 30, 2016, and will meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Shelby College Center. The cost of the class is $4,300.00 and pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email ce@panola.edu.
August 29, 2016 - The 14th ranked Panola College Fillies opened their season with a bang, knocking off 16th ranked Hill College in four sets (18-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-13) and then taking down #15 Missouri St. West Plains (26-24, 10-25, 28-26, and 25-23).
Several Fillies recorded double-digit kills against Hill, with freshman right side Jaqueline da Silva recording 14, and sophomore outsides Ana Oliveira and Victoria Baptista picking up 10 apiece. The freshman setting duo of Cayman Sutton and Kinly Carter recorded 25 assists apiece, and Victoria Baptista completed a double-double to lead the defense with 29 digs.
In their second match of the day, Panola bolstered a balanced attack against a very tough defense in Missouri State West Plains. Once again Jaqueline da Silva led with 12, and sophomore middle blocker Rachel Henderson and freshman right side Kaitlyn Adams added 8 kills apiece. Ana Olivera picked up her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs respectively. Cayman Sutton dished out 27 assists and Kinly Carter added 21. Sophomore libero Morgan Currie anchored the defense with 27 digs while Victoria Baptista added 14 of her own.
The Panola College Fillies continued their winning ways on day two of the Ronda Shirley Invitational, taking down Temple College in 4 sets (25-16, 25-22, 16-25, 25-22) and sweeping NCTC (25-9, 25-18, 25-16).
Ana Oliveira paced the offense against Temple with 11 kills, and the combination of Rachel Henderson, Victoria Baptista, Jaqueline da Silva, and Kaitlyn Adams racked up 28 kills, each contributing 7. Kinly Carter and Cayman Sutton combined for 42 assists with (22) and (20) respectively. Libero Morgan Currie came up with 13 digs and freshman defensive specialist Camie Copeland chipped in 7 of her own.
The last match of the tournament proved to be the Fillies best defensive effort of the weekend, forcing NCTC to make many uncharacteristic hitting errors with aggressive blocking. Panola had a season high of 14 total blocks with Rachel Henderson leading the way with 3 total blocks and 3 kills. Ana Oliveira added to the action as well with 5 kills, 3 aces, and 2 blocks. Cayman Sutton and Kinly Carter combined for 15 assists and 10 digs.
The Panola College Fillies will return to action Monday, August 29th for their home opener against the NJCAA DIII Runner-Up, Brookhaven College. First serve will be at 6 pm in Arthur Johnson Gym.
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