Panola College
January 8, 2019 - Panola College hires former NJCAA Region XIV Volleyball Coach of the Year and University of Florida Hall of Famer, Nicole Thorn, as the new Head Volleyball Coach.
Coach Nicole Thorn will take over the reins at Panola College for the second time next week. Coach Thorn will become head coach over a program that she helped build into a national power when she took over in 2008 and went on to lead the Fillies to their first NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament in 2009.
Thorn received her bachelor’s from the University of Florida where she enjoyed one of the best careers in school history. She was the 2000 SEC Player of the Year, a four-time all-SEC honoree and a second-team All-American in 2002 when she helped lead the Gators to a Final Four appearance. Thorn was also the recipient of the Ben Hill Griffin Award in 2002, which honors the top female athlete at Florida.
After leaving Florida, Thorn played professional volleyball in Puerto Rico for a year before returning to Gainesville, Florida to begin her coaching career. Later, she became the Head Coach at Georgia Southern University where she turned their program into conference contenders. Thorn went on to join Panola College as head coach from 2008 to 2013. During that time, Thorn was selected the NJCAA Region XIV and District Coach of the Year. Thorn has spent the past 6 years as the Head Coach at White Oak ISD where she was named District 17AAA coach in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
"We are excited about having Nicole Thorn back with Panola College. There is no doubt that she will maintain a high standard for our Volleyball program on and off the court. We welcome her back with open arms," says Don Clinton, Vice President of Student Services at Panola College.
January 8, 2019 - Panola College is proud to announce the names of those students named to the President’s List for the fall 2018 semester. To qualify a student must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours with a grade point average between 3.8 and 4.0. Only courses applying toward an associate degree or certificate are included in the computation.
Arkansas
Heather Hays - Texarkana
Louisiana
Kurston Smith - Logansport
Jacqueline Files - Mansfield
Kamryn Ford - Mansfield
Texas
Tyler Johnson - Athens
Ethan Collins - Beckville
Lacey Dean - Beckville
Ty Jones - Beckville
Michael Mize - Beckville
Jason Tillman - Beckville
Sarai Burran - Carthage
Nash Coultas - Carthage
Kelan Foster - Carthage
Esther Hernandez - Carthage
James Jeans - Carthage
Erin Keating - Carthage
Shelby Kite - Carthage
Haley Landtroop - Carthage
Carley Lawhorn - Carthage
Ryan Miller - Carthage
Amanda Pierce - Carthage
Addison Pope - Carthage
Delaina Truitt - Carthage
Kaci Williams - Carthage
Mckynzie Bush - Center
Brandi Danley - Center
Mitchell Fountain - Center
Luz Gomez - Center
Maricruz Gonzalez - Center
Rosalva Huerta - Center
Jonathan Jenkins - Center
Kaylee Parker - Center
Jacobo Rafael - Center
Julia Ramos - Center
Sadie Sanchez - Center
Mallory Sims - Center
William Tomlin - Center
Sarah Waller - Center
Ashley Yarbrough - Center
Christina Sherrod - Chireno
Hayden Collins - Cypress
Michelle Cherry - Deberry
Edward Oden - Deberry
William Edwards - Garrison
Sammy Hancock - Garrison
Kirsten Mayfield - Garrison
Randall Jackson - Gary
Cameron Stansbury - Groves
Lindsey Leslie - Hallsville
Macie Quick Istre - Hemphill
Christopher Scroggins - Hemphill
Kara Stanaland - Henderson
Lara Padgett - Jefferson
Sydney Cheshire - Joaquin
Milagros Luna - Joaquin
Santiago Ruiz - Joaquin
Breanne Pereles - Laneville
Hannah Floyd - League City
Katie Alexander - Longview
Bethany Roberts - Longview
Railey Oates - Lufkin
Ariana Abelardo - Marshall
Ladestiny Boyd - Marshall
Demetre Brewster - Marshall
Dominique Espinoza - Marshall
Caleb Henderson - Marshall
Hieu Le - Marshall
Emily Morin - Marshall
Pamela Painter - Marshall
Ebonie Williams - Marshall
Leneve Williams - Marshall
Brittany Gregory - Milam
Sarah Owens - Mount Enterprise
Samantha Laroche - Nacogdoches
Abigail Parrish - Nacogdoches
Isaac Patterson - Nacogdoches
Ariel Rodriguez - Nacogdoches
Ashlynn Stamps - Nacogdoches
Nicole Weaver - Nacogdoches
Jennifer Westbrook - Nacogdoches
Martha Brown - Pineland
Justin Gonzales - Point
Denise Jones - Shelbyville
Jacqueline Angel - Tatum
Troy Greene - Tatum
Christian Ashton - Tenaha
Alan Flores - Tenaha
Joe Murray - Texarkana
Misti Moreland - Timpson
Laci Starr - Timpson
Rocio Venegas - Timpson
John Carter - Waskom
Tomas Martinez - Waskom
Crystal Zepher - Waskom
Jarret Whorff - Winnsboro
Canada
Thomas Grilli - Mississauga
Raphael John Leblanc - Shawinigan Qc G9p5
Nigeria
Alison Oyinki - Ibeju Lekki Lagos
Boluwatife Babalola - Lagos
Ibrahim Akande - Lagos
Toluwani Ayodele - Lagos
Samiat Fashola - Lagos
Omotayo Amidu - Mushin Lagos State
January 8, 2019 - Panola College is proud to announce the names of those students named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2018 semester. To qualify a student must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.79. Only courses applying toward an associate degree or certificate are included in the computation.
Georgia
Imani Hampton - Lilburn
Louisiana
Elizabeth Offer - Bethany
Yvonne Combs - Keithville
Mississippi
Jenna Grover - Purvis
New York
Daylon Swearingen - Piffard
Texas
Joy Jekayinoluwa - Arlington
Toree Scott - Athens
Mason Campbell - Beckville
Jeremy Dean - Beckville
Hannah Humphries - Beckville
Hunter Moon - Beckville
Riley Seegers - Beckville
Danielle Smith - Beckville
Shelby Storie - Beckville
Christopher Blackmon - Carthage
Kamryn Brady - Carthage
Dallas Crocker - Carthage
Yareli Hernandez - Carthage
Mary Howard - Carthage
Robyn Klysen - Carthage
Zachary Kruebbe - Carthage
Kelsey Lake - Carthage
Coby Lewis - Carthage
Brandon Medrano - Carthage
Keiler Norman - Carthage
Serena Rascoe - Carthage
David Richter - Carthage
Ashley Sistrunk - Carthage
Eniola Sogbesan - Carthage
Mary Tinkle - Carthage
Kylee Tompkins - Carthage
Clint Walker - Carthage
Mauricio Alejaldre-Robles - Center
Colton Davis - Center
Drew Diverdi - Center
Alexander Duarte - Center
Jocelyn Garcia - Center
Tiffany Griffin - Center
Jenny Harvey - Center
Jamarian Hill - Center
Kase Hooper - Center
Raul Lara - Center
Perla Mateos - Center
Stacy Mireles - Center
Angel Nunez - Center
Angela Perkins - Center
Nicklaus Powell - Center
Heidi Ricketson - Center
Mallory Sims - Center
Whitney Thomas - Center
Taylor Tomlin - Center
Ashlee Williams - Chandler
Victor Chinaka - Dallas
Dillan Peloquin - Deberry
Shelby Thompson - Deberry
John Williams - Deberry
Shane Iversen - Garrison
Daniel Quetzala - Garrison
Andrew Wise - Garrison
Latisha Gilbert - Gary
Austin Bost - Groves
Casen Copeland - Hallsville
Kaitlyn Cox - Hallsville
Abigail Wheat - Hallsville
Heather Lucius - Hemphill
Ezekiel Collins - Henderson
Zachary Collins - Henderson
Autumn Romine - Henderson
Jessica Sessums - Henderson
Rebecca Weatherford - Henderson
Evan Yount - Jacksonville
Dalayna Daw - Joaquin
Trista Mustard - Joaquin
Dustin Ramsey - Joaquin
Stacie Sonnier - Joaquin
Matthew Tyson - Katy
Theresa White - Laneville
Davina Eddy - Longview
Cassandra Higginbotham - Longview
Cheryl Mitchell - Longview
Blaine Parker - Longview
Tachala Pauley - Longview
Steven Sierra - Longview
Marisela Soto - Longview
Kayla Walker - Lufkin
Alexander Barroga - Marshall
Jessica Burns - Marshall
Elizabeth Collins - Marshall
Ashlyn Edwards - Marshall
Somali Fletcher - Marshall
Latoya Johnson - Marshall
Jazmine Meyers - Marshall
Martha Moreno - Marshall
Lauren Paulk - Marshall
Maria Sanchez - Marshall
Reese Sloan - Marshall
Victoria Williams - Marshall
Jeffrey Gongwer - Mount Enterprise
Amber Jones - Mount Enterprise
Chailey Norton - Mount Enterprise
Haley Allen - Nacogdoches
Mahiko Moreno - Nacogdoches
Phillip Najvar - Nacogdoches
Jesse Waters - Nacogdoches
Balie Wood - Nacogdoches
Debbie Brydson - San Augustine
Chad Elumbaugh - San Augustine
Lexie Moody - San Augustine
Miranda Walker - San Augustine
Kayla Williams - San Augustine
Ryan Bailey - Shelbyville
Colton Bragg - Shelbyville
Kennedey Parker - Shelbyville
Kaitlynn George - Sulphur Springs
Lucero Luna - Tatum
Brittani White - Tatum
Andres Leon - Tenaha
Mariel Lopez - Tenaha
Katelyn Martinez - Tenaha
Miguel Mendoza - Tenaha
Arlicia Roland - Tenaha
Calicia Roland - Tenaha
Ty'kuirra Bryant - Timpson
Christy Corliss - Waskom
Charlotte Reeves - Waskom
Pedro Rodriguez - Waskom
Abbey Thompson - White Oak
Cassidy Lonsway - Woodlawn
Belarus
Maryia Adashchyk - Minsk
Kenya
Abigael Joseph - Nairobi
New Zealand
Sioeli Vaiangina - Auckland
Nigeria
Ademola Sanni - Apata Ibadan
January 5, 2019 - After falling behind by as many as 15 points in the first half, Panola mounted a huge comeback to win a 79-77 thriller on the road at Region XIV foe Lee College. After starting slow, Panola was able to chip away and went into half down 42-36. The two teams traded blows in the second half with the lead never getting higher than 6 points. Panola took their first lead of the game at 77-74 on an And-1 by Franklyn Penn with just under 30 seconds to play. Lee came right back and hit a 3 to tie things up with 9 seconds to play. The Ponies inbounded to Tylan Dean who missed but Kamari Brown was able to secure the offensive rebounder and swish a 15 footer with just under 2 seconds to play. Lee’s desperation attempt from ¾ court did not come close and the Ponies escaped with the win. Lenell Henry led the way for Panola with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Tariq Simmons had 15 points and 4 assists. Tylan Dean and Franklyn Penn rounded out the double digit scorers with both totaling 10 points.
Earlier in the week, Panola returned from Christmas break and won handily with a 95-55 final over Central Baptist JV. Franklyn Penn led the Ponies with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Lenell Henry added 17 points and 5 rebounds. Keiondre Jefferson chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. Tylan Dean also hit double figures with 10 points and 4 assists.
The Ponies return to action Monday at home vs Blinn College. Tip is at 7pm.
January 3, 2019 - Upon arrival from holiday break, the Fillies headed down to Shreveport for the annual Bossier Parrish Community College Classic. Despite a fighting effort, the Panola fell short to the Northwest Florida State College Raiders 65-73 in their first game of the BPCC Classic.
Four Fillies finished in double figures. Freshman Jolie Williams would come off the bench leading all scorers with 15. Daryna Barcharova and Maryia Adashchyk both contributed 14 points. Weronika Nowakowska rounded out the double figure scoring with 11 of her own.
In the second game of the BPCC classic, the Fillies came up short again, losing a 71-75 battle against the Lady Bulldogs of Hinds.
The Fillies battled to the end behind a 19 point performance by Adashchyk, who scored 10 of those 19 in the first quarter of play. Behind her in the scoring was freshman Barcharova who notched 14 of her own points. The Panola outscored Hinds in the third quarter but could not comeback from the half time deficit
The Fillies (7-6, 3-0 in conference) will return to conference action Wednesday, January 7th when they face Trinity Valley in AJ Gymnasium at 7:00 PM.
January 2, 2019 - Panola College is proud to announce the following Fall 2018 Honor Graduates:
Summa Cum Laude (3.90 – 4.00)
Martha Mary Brown - Pineland, TX
Ethan Michael Collins - Beckville, TX
Lacey Kristine Dean - Beckville, TX
Gregory Waylon Murdock - Carthage, TX
Magna Cum Laude (3.75 – 3.89)
Valarie S. Kirkwood - Tenaha, TX
Tomas Jaime Martinez - Waskom, TX
Jazmin Leon Uriostegui - Center, TX
Vanessa Villarreal - Hallsville, TX
Kristye Lynn Wall - Karnack, TX
Cum Laude (3.50 – 3.74)
Veronica Aguirre - Longview, TX
LaDestiny Mo’nique Boyd - Marshall, TX
Zach Collins - Henderson, TX
Jessica Marie Crocker - Nacogdoches, TX
Hannah Elizabeth Galaviz - Shelbyville, TX
Kelsey Michelle Lake - Carthage, TX
Shelby Lynn Martin - Gary, TX
Maria Yanet Martinez - Carthage, TX
Kennedey Parker - Shelbyville, TX
Lynetta Rudd - Marshall, TX
Hicela Santana - Marshall TX
Bobbie Windham Smith - Timpson, TX
Eniola O Sogbesan - Carthage, TX
Martha Ventura - Center, TX
Robert Otis Vicars - Carthage, TX
John Williams - Deberry, TX
December 14, 2018 - Panola College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is participating in a research program to explore the potential for the use of virtual reality to help individuals living with dementia and other age-related conditions.
MyndVR is a tech, health and wellness company specializing in virtual reality solutions for people who are age 55 and over. The ongoing research studies the medical efficacy of virtual reality on seniors with and without age-related conditions.
Terrie King, OTA instructor and academic field work coordinator, is working with MyndVR on this research project. She is a licensed occupational therapist and certified dementia capable care instructor. King explained that the study is on the cutting edge with research into using virtual reality with older patients.
“The VR experience seems to awaken the mind and elders are able to recall memories forgotten. For example, one of our pilot study participants used to travel the world with her husband. After going to Paris, France, virtually, she chatted for hours about her travels. Typically, this elder would sit quietly throughout her day, saying very little,” King said.
In addition to Panola College’s OTA department, research teams from Indiana University’s Eskenazi Center for Brain Care, the University of Texas at Dallas, Florida Atlantic University’s Visual Mind Lab, the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing, and St. Barnabas Health System near Pittsburgh are participating in the research.
“We have seen firsthand the positive impact virtual reality has on seniors, and we are elated to provide our curated content, senior-friendly user interface and customized hardware to these innovative research partners,” said Chris Brickler, CEO and co-founder of MyndVR.
King said elderly patients with dementia sometimes experience a syndrome called “sundowners,” which creates an atmosphere of fear and aggression as night approaches. Using VR sessions earlier in the day, we have seen a decrease in symptoms and the elders seem to be more calm and less fearful.
A $5,000 Perkins Grant funded the purchase of eight kits, which included two headsets and one tablet. Panola College OTA students, following the protocol of the research program, are utilizing this technology to provide statistics about the pre and post test heart rates and other medical statistics on research participants.
Other Texas higher education institutions participating in this research are the Stephen F. Austin State University Neuroscience Program and the University of Texas at Tyler Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy program.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this research program,” King said. “Our goal is to teach our students effective cutting edge occupational therapy interventions for people living with dementia related disorders. Through this research, we will be able to know if VR is an effective intervention tool for our future clients.”
King said she hopes to involve other campus departments in providing the virtual reality experience that is relative to the patients in regional long-term care facilities. In working with patients in clinical settings, King recognized the need for virtual reality films that are custom to the individual’s life experiences. Elders in the East Texas region have asked for films with children playing, farm animals, fishing, quilting groups, barn dances, church groups and kitchen cooking events, to name a few.
“The goal of occupational therapy is to help people live a life that has meaning and purpose in spite of a diagnosis or condition. During our pilot study with elders, we have seen VR help improve mood and increase a person’s quality of life. When a person’s mood is better, usually you see more motivation. With more motivation comes more energy to once again engage in meaningful life activities. We know there is so much more to know about how VR can be used to support health and wellness. It is our hope that through the research we will have evidence to understand how to best use VR as a therapeutic tool for our clients,” she said.
December 14, 2018 - Panola College graduates participated in commencement ceremonies at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Arthur Johnson Gymnasium on the Carthage campus.
During the fall semester, 251 students completed the requirements for associate degrees or certificates of completion, and 150 graduates participated in December commencement exercises, according to Jeremy Dorman, Registrar.
Students have completed associate of arts, associate of arts in teaching, associate of science, associate of applied science – associate degree nursing, clinical-medical laboratory technician, computer information technology, electrical and instrumentation technology, general business, health information technology, medical assisting, natural gas compression, office professional, and petroleum technology.
Students earned certificates of completion in administrative assistant; basic welding; cosmetology operator; digital media design and development; emergency medical technician; general business; general office; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; intermediate welding; medical assisting; medical coding technician; microcomputer support specialist; natural gas compression 1; PC technical support; petroleum technology; residential and commercial electrician, and vocational nursing.
The commencement program included a welcome by Dr. Gregory Powell, Panola College president; presentation of the graduating class by Don Clinton, vice president of student success; singing of the Alma Mater by the Panola College Chorale; invocation by Earnest Spencer, professor, School of Energy; certification of graduates by Dr. Billy Adams, vice president of instruction; conferring of degrees by Dr. Powell; and reading of graduates by Dr. Kathy Watlington, professor of foreign language.
Health Science graduates were pinned by Sharon Peace, instructor, vocational nursing; Kim Bishop, instructor, medical technologies; and JoEllen Russell, professor and director of medical lab technician.
December 13, 2018 - Panola College's Head Volleyball Coach, Amber McCray, has been named the new Head Volleyball Coach at Louisiana Tech University. She will be starting her new position in January of 2019.
"We are excited for Amber and the opportunity that she has been given by Tech. We definitely have mixed emotions because she has contributed so much to Panola College and our community, however, it is exciting to know that we had the opportunity to watch her grow as a coach and person and mature into the person that she is now, and now has this great opportunity," noted Don Clinton, Vice President of Student Services/Athletic Director.
Coach McCray states, "I am thrilled about the opportunity to become the next head coach of Louisiana Tech Volleyball, but it is also a bittersweet moment knowing what I am leaving behind. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Gregory Powell and Coach Don Clinton for always blessing me with the love and support needed to grow in this field as a head coach, as well as the whole Panola College family for being my home in more ways than one."
"The memories I have made and the relationships formed over my time at Panola are incredibly dear to me, and the best part is knowing they won't end just because my tenure here is done. There are so many things about Panola College that make this a unique and special place, but what I was able to sell to recruits over all these years and absolutely what I will miss most are the people."
"It has been an absolute honor to lead this program for the past 8 years, and I can't wait to follow all the success I know Fillies Volleyball will continue to have in the future. It was important to me when exploring the possibilities of the Division I level that I could find a place with a family atmosphere similar to the one I have loved being a part of PC, and Louisiana Tech delivered. I am excited to bring my passion to help revitalize a program I believe is fully capable of reaching new heights with another work family I know and trust will do all they can to help us get there."
Coach McCray posted a record of 169 wins and 45 losses over the 6 years at Panola College as the head coach. She led her teams to two back to back National Tournaments in 2016 and 2017, NJCAA nationally ranked each year, 6 straight NJCAA Regional playoff berths, and one conference championship. She was selected Region XIV District I Coach of the Year in 2017, and Region XIV Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2016. She had two players earn NJCAA All American honors, 28 All Conference selections, and 19 Academic All-Conference selections. Off the court her teams excelled in the classroom as she had a 100% graduation rate for student-athletes enrolled in Panola for the full 4 semesters and each of her six teams maintained a gpa of 3.10 or higher each year.
Coach McCray felt that community service was also part of her team responsibility in order to have a winning program and they participated in many events over the 6 seasons, including: 2011-2018 Head Coach and Board Member of East Texas Juniors (local youth volleyball club); 2018- Mentor at Lifecode Mentoring Program; 2013-2018 Annual Dig Pink Fundraiser benefiting the Side-Out organization for breast cancer awareness; 2013- 2018 Partnership with AYEP (Afterschool Youth Enrichment Program) which includes regular visits to the program, monthly in-season and bi-weekly in off-season; 2018 Veterans Day Dinner; 2017 and 2018 “Read Across America” at Libby Elementary; 2016 Designer Purse Bingo; 2015-2018 Junior Fillies Club (weekly clinics with area youth hosted each spring); Carthage’s Annual Trunk or Treat (2015 and 2017); 2015-2018 Spearheaded Annual Champions for Light Volleyball Clinic to raise funds and awareness for Refuge of Light, an anti-domestic minor sex trafficking organization; 2016 Baskets of Hope fundraiser for Mission Carthage; 2013 and 2014 Spirit of Hope 5K; and the 2013 Salt Walk.
"Panola College is proud of Coach McCray, her accomplishments, and the national recognition she brought us. During her tenure at Panola College she was named Coach of the Year three times and took our Volleyball Team twice to the National Tournament. Always a class act, we will miss Coach McCray but we are excited for her new opportunity at Louisiana Tech. Coach McCray will be a Filly Forever, regardless of where her professional opportunities take her," stated Panola College President Dr. Gregory Powell.
December 10, 2018 Carthage, TX - On Wednesday of this week, double digit scoring from four different players help the Fillies out up an impressive 77-46 showing against the Paris College Dragons. Maryia Adashchyk (20), Daryna Barchkarova (13), Mikayla Etienne (11), and Kellymar Ramirez (11) contributed 55 of the teams 77 points. The Fillies also pulled down 41 rebounds, led by Alicia Falkowska who posted a new career high (9) rebounds. Falkowska also recorded 4 blocks.
The Panola fillies improve to 3-0 in conference after a Saturday afternoon Region 14 battle in Carthage. The Fillies overcame a 19-point first half deficit, coming out with the 3-point victory behind a huge scoring serge in the second half.
Down 13 going into the third quarter, the lead was eventually cut to 8 with 2:35 left in the third. Out of the timeout, a three pointer by Barchkarova and a layup by Ramirez with: 10 seconds left in the quarter cut the deficit to 3 going into the fourth quarter.
The back and forth battle would continue throughout most of the fourth with the Fillies getting within 2 with 4:30 seconds The first lead of the game for the Fillies would come at the 3:23 mark with Adashchyk scoring two back to back buckets to put the Fillies up 3 with 2:50 left in the game. Kilgore would later come down and tie the game with a bucket of their own.
Down 1 with 45.2 seconds left in the quarter, Kilgore up one, Adashchyk would score in the paint putting the Fillies up 2 with 26.8 ticks left on the clock. Kilgore would respond with a bucket of their own, tying the game with 19.6 left. A late foul with 10.1 second sent Kilgore to the free throw line, where they would go 1 of 2, making the score 72-73 Kilgore.
With 10.1 ticks left on the clock, Weronika Nowakowska would score the game winning bucket; going the length of the court and drawing the and 1, to give the Fillies a 75-73 lead with 3.0 left in the game. The Fillies would force a turnover and make 1 of 2 free throws to end game victorious, 76-73.
Adashchyk would lead all scorers with 17, followed behind by Nowakowska (15), Ramirez (14), and Bachkarova (13). Jolie Williams would round out the scoring with 9 of her own, including two big second half three pointers. Ramirez had a team high 11 boards.
The Fillies finish out 2018 7-4 on the season and 3-0 in conference. They will return to action January 2 in the BPCC Classic.
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