Panola College
February 8, 2019 - Panola College Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) students are learning about the power of music to awaken memories in patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Anne Robbins, director of student programs for Music and Memory, presented a program about this therapy to CNA students at the Shelby College Center on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
Certified Nurse Aides provide basic care for patients and residents of long-term care facilities. Robbins told the students that Music and Memory has become more prevalent as a therapeutic technique.
“In 2014, only 56 facilities across the United States were using Music and Memory. In 2019, we have more than 6,000,” she said.
The Texas Health and Human Services Department adopted Music and Memory in 2016 as a means to reduce the use of anti-psychotic drugs for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The presentation included a viewing of the documentary “Alive Inside,” which showcases the research and application of the Music and Memory approach with various individuals. According to the documentary, “Music is magic. It’s a backdoor into the mind for people with dementia. Musical memories are so strong and they activate more parts of the brain than any other.”
The documentary includes a segment about an elderly man with dementia. His response after having headphones placed that played music from his past was startling, said Betty Gruber, Panola College CNA instructor.
"I worked Long Term care for a number of years and I used every tool at my disposal to reach my residents,” Gruber said. “Music was by far the most effective tool, reaching them through all their barriers, including cognition, emotional, and behavioral barriers. Henry represents what music can do. He was in the nursing home for 10 years, mostly non-verbal. But after a personalized music list was developed for him he came back to life, opening his eyes, interacting with the staff, and with his daughter. Henry was happy again. I've seen the powerful influence music has on residents. This program will have a huge impact on the way we interact with our residents, giving us another means of interacting, and providing an alternative to anti-psychotic medications and even behavioral hospital admissions. Music is a win for everyone."
When someone posted on the social media site Reddit a short video clip of Henry’s response, the clip went viral. Thousands of people commented and shared stories about their loved ones, vowing to use personalized music to try to reach them. Media coverage of the explosion of interest in Music and Memory led to expanded understanding of its potential.
The documentary explained that over-medication limits choice and control in these patients, while music creates spontaneity and memory. Robbins said half of the residents of nursing homes get no visitors. Music and Memory’s goal is to provide personalized music as a means to evoke joy and ease their sense of isolation.
The Panola College CNA students will participate with Panola Nursing and Rehabilitation, Carthage Healthcare Center, Marshall Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation, Pine Grove Nursing Center and Green Acres of Center. All of these facilities are utilizing Music and Memory with their residents.
Beginning in summer 2019, Panola College Occupational Therapy Assistant students will receive volunteer certification through Music and Memory. Once trained, these OTA students will implement the program with seniors.
The OTA program is planning to use Music and Memory as part of an overall “Best Friends Project,” which will be part of the clinical rotation. Terrie King, OTA instructor and academic field work coordinator, said the “Best Friends Project” will pair OTA students with seniors living in assisted living and/or skilled nursing communities.
“We believe in ‘learning through doing’ and the best way to understand the aging process and the needs of seniors is to connect and support seniors. Our students will design and implement evidence-based therapeutic activities that have been proven to support senior wellness. Music and Memory is one of those evidence-based programs that makes a difference.”
Kelly Reed-Hirsch, Dean of Health Sciences, said she is excited to have Panola College students involved in Music and Memory. “This program will allow our students to expand their knowledge and abilities to work with individuals with dementia or other cognitive challenges. When I think about my grandmother who lived with Alzheimer’s for many years, when she heard ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ and other music from that era, she lit up and was more like how she was before the horrible disease took her memories of us from her.”
For more information, contact Anne Stacy-Robbins, Texas Director of Student Programs, 646-856-0362, or email astacy@musicandmemory.org.
February 7, 2019 - In a back and forth affair between two teams tied for first place in Region XIV, Navarro came out on top 69-68 on a banked 7 footer as time expired. The Ponies were able to take a 41-35 lead into halftime. The 2nd half was back and forth with the two teams trading the lead in the final 5 minutes. Up 1 with 5.7 seconds left to play, Panola was unable to get the ball in bounds. Navarro then ran an isolation play, and Trey Pulliam was able to knock down the shot to win it for Navarro.
Kamari Brown led the Ponies with 16 points and 4 rebounds off the bench. Jeff Boyd and Tariq Simmons both added 13 points, while Lenell Henry added a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The loss drops the Ponies to 18-6 and 8-4 in Region XIV play. They travel to play Kilgore on Saturday afternoon at 4pm.
February 7, 2019 - Balance scoring and solid defense was in full effect for the Fillies in their 60-49 win against Blinn. The Fillies took care of business on the defense end in the second and third quarters, holding Blinn to just 18 combined points. Kellymar Ramirez, Jolie Williams and Masha Adashchyk each recorded 3 steals in the contest.
On the offensive end, 3 Fillies finished in double figures, led by Williams who had 14. Adashchyk and Barchkarova both contributed 10 apiece. The scoring was balanced thanks to 17 total assists in the contest. Both Mikayla Etienne and Alicja Falkowska dished out 4 each. Leading the team on the boards with 6 was both Adashchyk and Nyidier Riak.
On Wednesday, balance scoring and consistent offense was the difference maker in the Fillies 71-56 win over the Paris Junior College Dragons. Fillies put together two similar offensive quarters, scoring 37 in the first quarter, and 34 in the second. The Fillies complimented their offense on the defensive end, holding the Dragons to a 23-point first half.
The Fillies saw double figures from four players, led by a season-high 18 points performance for Etinene. Etienne shot a team-best 6-7 from the floor. She also shot 6-7 from the charity stripe. Williams (11), Riak (11) and Falkowska (10) finished in double figures as well. Barchkarova led the team in rebounding with eight.
The Fillies (12-9, 8-3 in conference) continue their road stint as they head to Kilgore Saturday. In the first match up between the two, the Fillies overcame a 19-point first half deficit and came out with the 76-73 victory in Carthage. Game time is set for 2pm.
February 5, 2019 - Panola College has implemented an Academic Support Lab with professors and peers working as tutors to provide additional instruction for development of reading, writing, and mathematics skills. Supplemental funding for the lab is provided through a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The grant targets corequisite instruction that helps students become TSI complete, a designation that signifies college readiness. Under the new corequisite initiative, students take developmental math or English along with the college-level academic math or English included in core curriculum requirements.
“We expanded corequisite instruction for English and math in fall 2018,” explains Teresa Brooks, Dean of Distance Learning and Chair of Preparatory Studies at Panola College. “As a result, we saw an increase in the number of students who completed their required developmental courses – but for the first time, a significant percentage of the students also completed college-level English or math courses.”
In the past, students who were not TSI complete were blocked from academic level math and English until they successfully completed developmental courses. Depending on the students’ progress through the developmental sequence, these required courses could delay completion of the associate degree.
“We are pleased with this new approach because it puts students on track to finish their degree plans on schedule, and saves time and money,” Brooks said.
Through the corequisite program, professors staff the Academic Support Lab and are available to students five days a week for reading, writing, and mathematics skills.
Tutoring is nothing new to Panola College. Students have had access to free tutoring in all subjects, including career and technical subjects, through the Student Success office for years, according to Don Clinton, Vice President of Student Success.
“We ask professors to identify and nominate peer tutors who can be available on an as-needed basis throughout the semester. Sometimes students are reluctant to ask for help, but we are making an effort to let them know we are here to help them be successful at Panola.”
Peer tutors are paid, and are not required to qualify for Work Study federal funding, which is needs-based funding.
“Peer tutors say that by teaching the concepts of math and English to others, they find that the process reinforces their own mastery of the material. They aren’t just teaching and tutoring – it’s more of a collaborative learning experience. Research has also shown that some students are more comfortable being tutored by other students,” he added.
Tutoring opportunities range from face-to-face sessions in a computer lab to online Zoom conferences. Face-to-face sessions are offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at the Marshall College Center. The online Zoom sessions make tutoring available to students who are studying at home.
For more information, contact Teresa Brooks, tbrooks@panola.edu, 903-693-2060 or Don Clinton, dclinton@panola.edu, 903-693-2055.
February 5, 2019 - Panola College took on Eastern Oklahoma State College this past week in a 3 game series. The Ponies were too much for the Mountaineers to handle ultimately resulting in a 3 Game sweep for Panola.
Game 1 - This was the closest of the three contests. Tyler Davis (Houston, TX) took the hill for the start and did his job. Trey Lindsay (Beckville, TX) and Chris Edwards (Garrison, TX) came on in relief to hold the game and give the home team a chance for victory. In the bottom of the 6th (7inning game) Mateo Beltran (Lafayette, LA) demolished a ball over the left field wall to give take the lead 6-4. Edwards shut the door in the 7th inning and the Ponies take game 1 by a score of 6-4.
Game 2 of the Friday double headers was all Panola. Jarret Whorff (Winnsboro, TX) got the start and he did his thing. Whorff went 6 innings with no runs, no walks, and scattered 4 hits and struck out 9 mountaineers. Hayden Collins (Cypress, TX) came in and shut the door in the final 3 innings striking pout 3 of his own. The offense was rolling in this one. Thirteen hits that led to 8 runs and 3 of those hits were doubles. Ryan Snell (Hardin, TX) led the way with 3 hits and 2 RBI’s. The Ponies take game 2 by a score of 8-2.
Game 3 took place on Monday and the Ponies traveled to Wilburton, OK for their first road game of the year. After a slow first inning, starting pitcher Chad Dallas (Orange, TX) found his groove. Dallas went 4 innings and punched out 8 batters and only allowed one hit. The bats from Panola were back at it pounding out 12 hits and scoring 10 more runs. Cam Sibley (Dutchtown, LA) and Thomas Grilli (Toronto, Canada) led the way with 3 hits each and Grilli added 4 runs batted in. Edwards came back for his second time this series on the mound and was very good. He closed the final two innings of the game striking out 5 of the 7 hitters he faced. Panola takes the series finale 10-3.
Ponies move to 6-0 on the year and are scheduled to be back in action this Friday (2/8) and Saturday (2/9) against Coastal Bend.
February 4, 2019 - Panola found themselves in a hole that they could not dig out of Saturday afternoon, falling at Tyler 84-62. Tyler came out blistering hot and were leading 44-31 at half. Panola would never cut the lead in the second and ended up falling 84-62. The Ponies were led by Tylan Dean, who had 19 points and 8 rebounds. Tariq Simmons also finished in double digits adding 12 points.
With the loss, Panola drops to 18-5 (8-3 Region XIV) and is now in a three way tie for first in Region XIV along with Tyler and Navarro. The Ponies will be back in action for a marquee home matchup vs Navarro this Wednesday. Tip is at 7:30 pm.
January 31, 2019 - Panola shook off a slow start and came back to beat Bossier Parish 76-60 at home Wednesday night. Panola got behind early but was able to take a 36-29 lead in at halftime. After another slow start to the second half, the Ponies found themselves down 49-48 with just over 9 minutes to play.
It was all Ponies from there on out. Panola outscored Bossier 28-11 to finish the game. Tylan Dean led the way for the Ponies with 17 points and 4 rebounds. Lenell Henry added 14 points and 9 rebounds. Kamari Brown, Tariq Simmons, and Franklyn Penn all added double digits with 14, 13, and 10.
With the win, Panola is now 18-4 (8-2 Region XIV) and tied for first in Region XIV with Navarro. The Ponies travel to Tyler, who sits a game back in second place, for a 4pm tip on Saturday, February the 2nd.
Panola College All State Band students include, from left, Steven Sierra, Hallsville; Carrie Lilly, New Caney; Somali Fletcher, Hallsville;
Savana Hanaway, Carthage, and Whitney Ramsey, Center.
January 29, 2019 - Panola College Band students earned spots in the Texas Community College All State Band, which will perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention, February 13-16 in San Antonio.
Four band members were selected including Savana Hanaway, flute, from Carthage; Destiney Miller, contrabass clarinet, from Ore City; Carrie Hudman Lilly, euphonium, from New Caney, and Steven Sierra, tuba, from Hallsville.
Hanaway was also named as a first alternate for the piccolo. Also named as first alternates are Whitney Ramsey, bassoon, from Center, and Somali Fletcher, baritone saxophone, from Hallsville.
The TMEA convention is the largest convention held in San Antonio each year, bringing in more than 29,000 people from around the world for four days of clinics, workshops and continuing education.
“I’m especially proud of my band members,” said Dwaine Hubbard, Panola College band director. “To be selected for the All State Band, students have to compete against musicians from all 50 community colleges in Texas. It’s a testimony to their talent that they are selected for this honor.”
In addition to the band students, six Panola College choir students were selected to the All State Choir. That announcement was made in December. They include Aaron Tello, Center; Kacia Johnson, Tatum; Loren Caserta, Beckville; Nichole Painter, Marshall; Sydnee Taylor, Carthage, and Hunter Moon, Beckville.
Sandra Bauer, director of vocal music at Panola College, is serving as the 2018-2019 president of the Texas Two-Year College Choral Directors Association.
January 28, 2019 - Panola College opened up the season at home with a 3 game sweep of the Baton Rouge Bears. The Pony bats were alive all weekend blasting a total of 8 homeruns and scoring 36 runs on the weekend.
The opener on Saturday night was dominated by the Ponies. Sophomore pitcher Jarrett Whorff took the mound and was nothing but nails for the home team. Whorff went 4.2 ip,1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and struck out 5. Freshman right hander Hayden Collins backed up Whorff with a dominate performance of his own (4k in 2.1 innings), before handing the ball to Soph. Chris Edwards to finish the game. The Pony offense got off to a quick start and didn’t stop. Austin Bost (2), Kade Clemens, Trent Touchet, and Cam Sibley all went big fly and hit homeruns for the ponies which led to an opening day 9-4 win for the good guys.
Sunday’s Double header was all Panola. Tyler Davis and Trey Lindsay combined for 7 innings 1 ER, 1 BB, and 10 Ks. The Bears were only able to round up 4 hits off of the two right handers. At the plate the Ponies picked up right where they left off. 9 hits that plated 12 runs. Clemens blasted his second long ball of the year. Freshman 2nd baseman Thomas Grilli, and soph. outfielder Joe Stevens combined to drive in 5 runs with 2 hits apiece. The Ponies took game 2 by a score of 12-2.
The second game of the double header was a wild one. Freshman right hander Chad Dallas took the mound and got the Ponies off to a good start. Dallas fought through some tough jams and ended up going 4 solid innings only giving up 2 earned runs while striking out 6. A couple miscues on the mound and defense lead the ponies to give BRCC the lead in the top of the 7th 6-5. In the bottom of the 7th, Mateo Beltran stepped up and blasted a moonshot over the fence in left for his first homerun of the year and tying the game at 6. Garret Hermes came out of the bullpen in the top of the 8th inning needing to shut down the bears and he did just that. Hermes went two scoreless innings and gave the offense a chance to win the ballgame. In the bottom of the 8th a fire lit in the Ponies bats. With 2 outs, the Ponies rallied off 3 walks, 6 hits (4 doubles, 1 single, 1 homerun) that led to 9 runs in the bottom of the 8th. Bost capped off the big inning launching a grand-slam to put the Bears chances way out of reach. Panola wins 15-6.
The Ponies are back in action this weekend with a 3 game series against Eastern Oklahoma at home.
January 28, 2019 - A total team effort was not enough for the Fillies who dropped an 82-91 overtime thriller against the #14 Angelina Roadrunners Saturday in District 14 play.
A game that saw over 20 lead changes and 15 ties. The Fillies entered the fourth quarter with a seven-point lead, which would reach as high 10. But the Roadrunners would come roaring back and would take the lead with four minutes left in the contest. The back and forth battle continued with both teams responding.
Maria Adashchyk would hit a huge three-point bucket off of an offensive rebound with 1:56 left in the contest, giving the Fillies a two-point lead. But the Roadrunners would respond with a bucket of their own, tying the game at 79 a piece. Both teams would get the chance to score at the end of regulation, with neither team successful, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime would kept the same pace as regulation with both teams battling on both ends. The first bucket in overtime would not come until the 2:10 mark when Angelina would hit a 3 pointer, making the score 82-80. Another bucket for the Roadrunners would follow with 1:37 left in overtime, making the score 70-84 Roadrunners.
Coming out of the timeout, Jolie Williams hit a 3 pointer, making the score 82-84, but the Roadrunners would come back to hit a three of their own, bringing the lead to five with a little less than a minute left. The Roadrunners would eventually ice the game with free threes.
The Fillies were led in scoring by freshman Jolie Williams who had 25 points off the bench. Maryia Adashchyk scored 22 points of her own in the contest. Riak and Nowakowska would round out the double digit scoring with 10 and 11 respectively. The Fillies’ bench outscored the Roadrunner’s bench 40-25.
The Fillies drop to 10-9 on the season, 5-3 in conference. They will return to action Saturday, February 2nd at home against Blinn.
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