Shelby County Today

February 21, 2020 - Mark you calendars! Panola College/Shelby College Center’s next Zumba and Yoga classes are approaching soon. Reserve your spot TODAY.

March 2 – April 15
Zumba Gold – Mondays and Wednesdays – 4pm to 5pm
Beginning Yoga – Mondays and Wednesdays – 5:05pm to 6:05pm

March 3 – April 16
Intermediate Yoga – Tuesdays and Thursdays – 4:25pm to 5:25pm and 5:30pm to 6:30pm

The cost of each class is $60, and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, 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.

February 7, 2020 - It’s not too late to live on campus. Panola College offers three housing options for students enrolled in the spring semester. Classes began on January 13, so students who move into the residence halls now will pay a prorated amount for the room and meal plan.

Katy Chance, Residence Life Coordinator, says space is available in Sharp Hall, the campus apartments, and O’Neal Hall (the newest apartment on campus.) Depending on residence hall choice, weekly cost ranges from about $160 to $200, which includes the room and 19 meals per week in the dining hall.

“The meal ticket is $5.58 per meal. It’s hard to beat that at home,” said Don Clinton, Vice President of Student Success.

Chance said living on campus helps students become more engaged in the learning process and build a sense of community. “Studies have shown that students who live on campus tend to have higher graduation rates, achieve greater academic success, are more involved in campus life, and tend to use campus resources more frequently than those not living on campus,” she said.

Campus resources include the M.P. Baker Library, the Charles C. Matthews Foundation Student Center, computer labs, high-speed WiFi, study rooms and recreational facilities including the weight room and Fitness Center gym.

Chance encouraged commuting students to consider the cost of fuel along with wear and tear on their vehicles in addition to the time wasted on the road. “Living on campus is a safer alternative, and when students really look at the numbers, they often realize they could save money and time by living in the residence halls,” she said. “Where else can you find a rental unit that provides safety, convenience, all utilities including high-speed internet and cable, and 19 meals a week for less than $1,000 a month?”

Living on campus expands opportunities to participate in cultural and academic events sponsored by the College, according to Clinton. “Students can walk from their dorm rooms to the auditorium for fine arts performances or to the Arthur Johnson Gym for games,” he said. “Living on campus gives you an opportunity to experience the complete collegiate environment that you would get at a university. We encourage all our students to get involved on campus, whether it is in the residence halls, extracurricular programs, student activities or intramural games, as well as attend athletic and performing arts events, and get involved in clubs and organizations.”

Find out more by contacting Katy Chance at kchance@panola.edu, or 903-693-1176.

Photo (Left to Right): Kevin Smith, Jim Payne, Jessica Pace, Gene Giles, and David Murphy 

January 31, 2020 - On Thursday, January 30 First State Bank & Trust Co. presented Jessica Pace, director of Institutional Advancement at Panola College, with a check for $10,000. The funds will be used to endow the Chris Dickerson Memorial Scholarship, honoring fallen deputy, Chris Dickerson.

Chris Dickerson was born January 17, 1991 in Marshall, Texas. He was killed in the line of duty December 31, 2019 in Gary, Texas. Chris graduated from Carthage High School in 2009 and attended Aviation School in Norfolk, Virginia while serving in the Texas Army National Guard. He graduated from the Kilgore Police Academy and served as a deputy and member of the Panola County Honor Guard for the Panola County Sheriff’s Department. On September 18, 2010 Chris and Krista LaNae Edge married and have two daughters, Kensley and Chelsey Dickerson.

“First State Bank felt that after the tragedy of Chris Dickerson, we wanted to make an effort to support the first responders of Panola County. We felt that establishing a scholarship with Panola College would be a great way to offer support for generations to come,” said Gene Giles, President of First State Bank. “First State Bank has always been supportive of first responders. In fact, we have several currently working at the bank. We felt that it was not only our responsibility, but that we wanted to do something for the community.”

The Chris Dickerson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a Panola College student. Dependents of Panola County first responder(s) are eligible to apply. First responders include peace officers, firefighting personnel, and paramedics.

January 15, 2020 - Panola College has canceled the volleyball tryout for January 18th.

December 5, 2019 - Panola Volleyball will be hosting our annual Open Tryouts for unsigned/uncommitted seniors only Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Panola College Fitness Center, located inside of the Charles C Matthews Student Center on the Panola College campus. Panola College is located at 1109 West Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

Check-in will begin at 12:30 pm with positional drills and scrimmage play lasting approximately from 1:00-3:00 pm. There is a $25 tryout fee and all participants and their guardians must sign a Release & Waiver of Liability before they are allowed to participate. **All participants will also now be required to bring a copy of a current physical taken within the past year in order to participate. ** Panola Volleyball is asking all participants to please register by Friday, January 17th to better assist the staff in planning for the tryouts.

For any information, please contact Assistant Volleyball Coach Macy Cherry at mcherry@panola.edu. If you have any questions the day of the tryout, please call Coach Cherry directly at (903) 693-2007.

Registration link - Panola Volleyball Tryouts