Panola College
November 7, 2016 - The Panola College men’s basketball team defeated Louisiana Christian, 105-88 Saturday night. The Ponies begin the season 1-0. “It was good to finally get to play a real game.” Stated Head Coach Grant McMillan. “It was a total team effort. There are a lot of positives and along with some negatives we can take away from the game. We have to build as a group and get better.” He added.
Louisiana Christian started the game on a 6-0 run with back to back threes. Panola took a 7-6 lead on a monster dunk by Marlon Taylor. The Ponies regained the lead at 11-10 and never looked back. Panola led 50-38 at half time and extended their lead to as much as 23 in the second half.
Five players scored in doubles figures and where paced by TJ Killings 19 points. Keith Hayes netted 15 points and Marlon Taylor recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Eric McGill and Devyn Wilson finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively. As a team, Panola dished out 27 assists and recorded 52 rebounds.
Panola will next be in action on Monday when they host Houston Community College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM at Arthur Johnson Gymnasium on the campus of Panola College.
November 2, 2016 - Students from Ann Boland's art classes, Teresa Beasley's communication classes, and Dr. Kathy Watlington's Spanish classes traveled to Shreveport on Thursday, Oct. 27, to tour the R.W. Norton Art Gallery.
Boland wrote a grant that was funded by the Panola College Foundation to provide Panola College students with a museum experience. The Norton collection includes more than 400 paintings by more than 100 artists, dating from the Renaissance to present day. The museum includes The Classical Influence, the Journey to Modernism, A Century of Turmoil - Europe in the 19th Century, a Fairy Tale Gallery for children, From Rebirth to Enlightenment: Europe from the 14th to 18th Century, Candle in the Dark, Origins of Western Art, Mind of the Artist, Louisiana Collections, The Persuasion of the Portrait, Visions of America, The Icon and Iconographer, American Art History, Soldiers and Statesman, Inventing the West, Living in America, a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, Landscape Movement - the Hudson River School, Firearms Collection, Views of the World, The Gray/Blumenstiel Doll Collection, and The Natural World. On loan to the museum are visiting exhibits of photographs from early New Orleans called "Scarlett Passions" and posters from World War I, an exhibit entitled "Art Goes to War."
The Norton also features 43 landscaped acres with paved trails, outdoor sculptures, water gardens and more than 10,000 plants.
The Norton, located at 4747 Creswell Ave., is free and open to the public. No photography is allowed in the Museum and Gardens without educational purpose and special, advance permission. Find out more at the museum's website: www.rwnaf.org.
Participating students included Jennifer Aguirre, Ibrahim (Demola) Akande, Alma Angeles, Tarsheanna Bauer, Haley Bridges, Hannah Cortinas, Aletha Cotton, Jake Craig, Nicholas Crowe, Anna Crumbie, Abriea Deckard, Julissa Dejulian, Daria Eremeeva, Brittany Fendall, Jessica Gehrts, Monique Glasper, Lorena Gonsalez, Alec Humphries, Lashekia Johnson, Brittany Lawrence, Destini McClary, ShaBrittney Menefee, Esther Oderinde, Diana Perez, Charlynn Perry, Edgar Pineda, Angela Rabon, Sara Randall, Paola Rangel, Kyana Reagan, Dorleen Rogers, Estefani Salgado, Mia Sartor, Mary Ella Sherman, Samuel Slone, Wendy Spence, Jamecia Taylor, George Valdez, Pablo Valdez, Nancy Vang, Stacy Vang, Lyndsay Webb, Wanda Weeks, Kyla Whitaker, Lauran Williams, and Maddy Youngblood.
November 1, 2016 - Joaquin Rams Varsity Baseball, pitcher and middle-infielder, Brock Lawson has signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Panola Junior College, of Carthage, next season. Lawson still has this season to prepare while playing varsity high school baseball at Joaquin under the guidance of his older brother, Rams Head Coach Wade Lawson, and his father, Assistant Coach Mike Lawson. Rams baseball has been a tradition with the Lawsons as Brock’s brothers, Matt, Lance, and Wade, played varsity baseball and other sports as well.
Brock was the Rams’ pitching ace last year and played middle infield when not on the mound. He has played with the Rams varsity program throughout his varsity career.
Lawson’s athletic teammates made an appearance at the signing to support their teammate.
Panola Ponies Head Baseball Coach Todd Shelton personally came to the presentation for the signing of the intention document.
The Ponies have several area players already including Centers’ Taylor Tomlin, Carthages’ Blaine Tomlin, Jared Blissett and Cole Clinton, and Beckvilles’ John M. Bounds.
Wade Lawson stated during the ceremony: “This won’t be the last time we gather for a signing. This is what we work hard for here.”
October 31, 2016 - The Panola College Ponies traveled to Lake Charles, La this last weekend for the Southern Region Rodeo hosted by McNeese State University. Barton Coliseum was full of great rodeo action and Panola rough stock riders made a good showing.
Sophomore bareback rider, Ethan Andrepont, made a great bareback ride scoring 71 points. Ethan had a very hard horse to ride, and handled it very well. The horse he drew was moving forward a lot in his bucking pattern, which makes it very hard to make a good spur ride on and adds a lot of stress to the physical part of the game. Andrepont was able to complete the ride and win 6th place. Ethan took a horse that most college athletes would be happy to just ride and won a good check on him. Ethan has realized you don’t always draw the one to win it on, but you do your best on what you get and it will work out.
Travis Chapman, a freshman at Panola College, scored 69 points in the bareback riding and won 7th place. Travis drew a great horse for his first one, but was fouled in the arena and received a re-ride. The re-ride animal he drew turned out to be very successful for him, although he was physically strained from his first ride he was able to come back again and do his job very well.
Dillon Baize, a freshman from Groesbeck, TX., also placed in the bareback riding scoring 64 points and winning 8th place. This is the first time Dillon has placed at a college rodeo, but he has been working very hard and is expected to be a threat every rodeo from now on. Dillon competes in two events, the bareback riding and the saddle bronc riding, he is growing in both and will be a key player for our rodeo team in the future.
Logan Cook, a freshman from Alto, struck pay dirt again by scoring 68 points in the saddle bronc riding. The score was good enough for a 2nd place finish. Logan has been placing very well in the bronc riding and maintains his position ranked in 3rd place of the regional standings. Logan not only has a great chance to qualify for the college finals, but is in a great battle for the regional title. Logan works the team roping and calf roping events as well; he has been a huge benefit to our team.
The rodeo team will be competing again November 11-12th for the final rodeo of the fall at Conroe, TX. hosted by Sam Houston State University.
October 31, 2016 - The Panola College Fillies ended the regular season with a bang beating Wharton County in 4 sets (24-26, 25-22, 26-24, 25-22).
Freshman middle blocker Barbara Sabino led the offense pounding out a career high 20 kills on 29 total swings. Sophomore middle blocker Rachel Henderson followed up with 13 kills and sophomore outside Victoria Baptista chipped in 10 of her own. The trio also led in blocks with 7 from Sabino, 4 from Henderson, and Baptista picking up 3.
Freshman setter Kinly Carter dished out 29 assists and added 6 digs with freshman setter Cayman Sutton adding 24 assists and 7 digs. Sophomore libero Morgan Currie anchored the floor racking up her career high in digs with 37. It was also Currie’s aggressive serving run that brought the Fillies back from a 19-24 deficit in the third set en route to 26-24 win. Baptista once again showed her versatility picking up 23 digs and freshman defensive specialist Camie Copeland added 9 of her own.
The Fillies finish the regular season with an overall record of 30-2, Region XIV North Conference Champions, and nationally ranked #1. They will return to action Friday at 1pm against Lee College in the opening round of the Region XIV Tournament at Lee College in Baytown, TX.
October 31, 2016 - The Panola College men’s basketball team begins their 2016-17 campaign when they tip off the season against Louisiana Christian this upcoming Saturday. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM in Arthur Johnson Gymnasium at Panola College. Second year Head Coach Grant McMillan is ready to build off their record breaking season last year. McMillan led the Ponies to the most wins in school history posting 24 victories and guided them to their third ever conference championship game appearance. Last year’s squad featured four division one signees.
This year’s team will feature five freshman, four returners, four division one transfers, and one junior college transfer. “As a staff, we spent tireless hours trying to identify the right student-athletes that wanted to buy-in to our culture. Region 14 is traditionally the toughest league in the country and we have to trust our evaluation with the 10 new faces we brought in.” mentioned McMillan.
Panola’s four returners made a combined 82 starts last season giving the Ponies valuable game experience which Coach McMillan did not have last season. “We had 12 new players last year. It was a new landscape for me and our program. Chan Williams-Bey made all-conference last year as a freshman. Chan and the three other returners have been in some tough environments. Having returners and their leadership is invaluable.” McMillan added. Devyn Wilson, Tyonte Robertson, and Tope Arikawe are the other three returners.
Adding more experience to the roster, the Ponies signed four other sophomores and one redshirt freshman. Eric McGill, Keith Hayes, and Pernell Adgei all made starts at their respective division one schools as freshman, while KJ Byers started multiple games as a freshman at his previous junior college. Bryson Lockley sat out last season at his division one school.
“We made sure we recruited older guys. Experience is something that we wanted to emphasis. Their maturity and leadership provide us with added depth.” McMillan stated. The Ponies signed two dynamic freshman in TJ Killings and Marlon Taylor. Both newcomers were highly decorated prep school players. Rounding out Panola’s recruiting class are local products Christian Hammett and Larry Robinson III. Big man, Matthew Bellamy was the final piece to the Ponies recruiting class.
Panola will have 10 non-conference games before they begin Region 14 play on November the 30th against Blinn College. The Ponies will have five home games in the month of November, a luxury they did not have last season as the renovations to Arthur Johnson Gymnasium were in the finishing stages last November. Teaming up with Coach McMillan is second year assistant, Adam Blaylock.
October 28, 2016 - The Panola College Concert and Jazz Bands performed in concert at 7 p.m., Thursday, October 27 in the Q.M. Martin Auditorium. The bands are under the direction of Dwaine Hubbard, instrumental music professor and band director.
The Concert Band’s performance included “Cyris the Great, Persian March,” “The Hounds of Spring,” “Appalachian Morning,” “Gallito, pasodoble,” and “Cajun Folk Songs.”
After a brief intermission, the Jazz Band performed “Malaguena,” featuring Tyler Helms and Chris Austin Wright as soloists; “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” featuring Destiney Miller as soloist; “The Power of Love,” with Austin Wright as soloist; “Sway,” with Destiney Miller and Dillon Reynolds as vocalists; “Mambo Hot,” with Montana Woodard as soloist; and “Vehicle.”
Band members include on flute: Esmeralda Acosta, Center; Ana Asencia, Henderson; Kayla Avila, San Augustine; Jaqui Gonzales, Henderson; Savana Hanaway, Carthage; Julie Hernandez, Center; Alexandria Lavender, Carthage; Mallory Sims, Center; Samuel Slone, Marion, Virginia; Cheyenne Woodard, Center; Madison Youngblood, Carthage.
Clarinet players include Zo’e Crayton, Longview; Lorena Gonzales, Center; Marissa Jones, New London; Kirsten Mayfield, Garrison; Perla Perez, Henderson; Chelsea Roquemore, Henderson; Ryesha Walton, Elysian Fields; Arriauna Ware, Henderson; and Montana Woodard, Center.
Bass clarinet player is Kenshena Woodward of Garrison. Contra-alto Clarinet player is Destiney Miller of Ore City. Bassoon player is Whitney Thomas of Center.
On saxophone are Kassi Orbaugh of Carthage; Austin Wright of Center; Leo Sanchez of Waskom and Lady Flores of Cushing.
Playing trumpet are Tyler Helms of Garrison; Bianca Ramirez of Carthage; Dillon Reynolds of Center; and Scott Rogers of Carthage.
French horns are played by Tarsheanna Bauer of Center; Dakota Brown of Marshall; Robby Cox of Carthage; and Alexis Salas of Center. Trombone players include Juan Morales of Center and Urias Quetzala of Garrison.
On baritone are Cole Donald of Carthage; Daniel Quetzala of Garrison; Vanessa Rodriguez of Henderson; Lirio Rodriguez of New Diana and Delaina Truitt of Center.
On tuba are Raderrius Colbert of Carthage; Tyreese Johnson of Garrison and Isaiah Key of Henderson.
Percussion players include Jarid Barton of Timpson; Ashton Bruce of Elysian Fields; Rachel Mukweyi of Mansfield; Trevor Romine of Carlisle; Taylor Schneckloth of Elysian Fields, and Kenzie Yaws of Mabank.
The Panola College Band, Chorale, Chamber Singers and Pipers will present a “Christmas in Carthage” concert at 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 29 at the Carthage Civic Center. Special guests will include Rowe Performing Arts students and Dean Freddy Mason. Tickets are $10. Panola College faculty, staff and students will be admitted free of charge.
Note: Students from Shelby County are underlined.
October 28, 2016 - The M.P. Baker Library will host Edible and medicinal plants of East Texas with speaker Dr. Timothy Fotinos on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 in the Frances B. Ross Ballroom at Panola College. Before grocery stores and pharmacies, people collected native plants to supplement their diet and cure what ailed them. In recent years, many people have become more conscientious of their diets and aware of eating foods in their purest form. This talk will discuss some of the more interesting edible and medicinal plants that can be found in East Texas. Topics covered will include field identification, the nutritional or medicinal value of the plants, and some of the history of their use.
Dr. Fotinos is a plant ecologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He grew up in East Texas, north of Houston, exploring the piney woods. He earned degrees in Botany and Plant Ecology/Aquatic Resources from Texas State University before taking his family on a 2 year adventure to south Florida to work in the Everglades. He is now an ecologist working out of Bossier City, Louisiana helping national wildlife refuges across the central gulf coast and Ozarks improve their habitat management.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 12:00 pm with the lecture beginning at 12:15pm and lasting approximately 30 minutes. Lunch will be provided for the first 50 attendees arriving. For additional information please call 903-693-2052 or email cferguson@panola.edu.
October 26, 2016 - On Monday, October 24th, the 2016-2017 Panola College Alumni Association Board gathered in the Murphy-Payne Room at Panola College to hold their first semi-annual meeting. Officers elected were Berri O’Neal as Chair, Jeremy Dorman as Vice Chair, and Chastiti Horne as Secretary/Treasurer. Other board members include Don Clinton, Sonya Brasher, Stacie Smith, and Todd Smith.
The Alumni Association is available for all former students, family members, employees and friends of the College. Timely communication, an awareness of what is happening on campus and fellowship with former alumni all are privileges of membership in the Alumni Association. To become a member of the Panola College Alumni Association, visit us at www.panola.edu/alumni.
October 25, 2016 - It was Ladies Night at the John D. Windham Civic Center in Center on Thursday, Oct. 20, when more than 350 friends of Panola College played bingo for a chance to win designer purses. The fundraising event, hosted by the Panola College Foundation, raised more than $30,200 to support scholarships, faculty grants and other college projects.
In addition to bingo, participants had a last-minute chance to purchase raffle tickets for the Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag, valued at $1,265. Sally Windham of Center was the lucky winner of the raffle.
Chris Watlington of Center served as emcee for the evening. Premium Graphics and Design, located in Timpson, sponsored the event.
Game sponsors included Children’s Dental Center, Cline Family Medical, Edward Jones – Vicky Hudson, Farmers State Bank, General Shelters, Joe’s Car Spa, Pine Grove Nursing Center, Pippen Motor Company, Premium Graphics & Design, Professional Title Services, Ridgway CNC, Ronnie Wall Inc., Southern Seasons Florals & Gifts, State Farm – Sandy Wheeler, Subway, and Triple J’s Feed.
Handbag sponsors were Ace Hardware, The Balcony, Greg and Joann Powell, John and Jane Ray, and Raymond Construction.
Bingo game purses included a Fossil Molly Large Hobo in Saddle, a Michael Kors Haley Large Convo Tote, a Kate Spade Wellesley Small Rachelle Nightforest Green Satchel, a Coach Crossgrain Mini Bennet Satchel in Saddle Brown, a Kate Spade Small Felix Newbury Lane Printed, a Fossil Molly Hobo in Black, a Kate Spade Small Loden Crossbody in Sweetheart Pink, a Michael Kors Jet Set Travel in Brown Signature, a Coach Crossgrain City Zip Tote in Oxblood, a Fossil Madison Tote in Mineral Gray, a Kate Spade Lilah Arbour Hill in Black, a Consuela Monica Classic Tote, a Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Merlot, a Fry Melissa Satchel in Burgundy, and a Kate Spade Annelle Arbour Hill in Indi.
Bingo winners took home designer purses, and between games, Watlington gave away door prizes to guests. A $5 ring raffle also garnered gift baskets and other prizes including a Coleman steel red cooler filled with beverages, a Consuela Banarama U-Tote-It, a Consuela Blue Jag Crossbody bag, a Stella & Dot Getaway Bag from Savannah Oswalt, a Dooney & Bourke Signature Satchel, two other Dooney & Bourke gift bags filled with gift cards from Southern Seasons, Las Margaritas, The Century Shoppe, The Loft, Lasting Impressions, and Hughes Florist, along with Thrive gift sets from Cathy Wall, and Panola College steel travel mugs.
Panola College Occupational Therapy Assistant students and members of the Panola College Volleyball Team assisted with the event. Catering was provided by Shani’s Catering. Additional support for Designer Purse Bingo came from Brodie Akins, Johnny’s Package Store, Piney Woods Beverage – Fred Wulf, and Whataburger.
“This was our first Designer Purse Bingo event, but from the response we had, it certainly won’t be our last,” said Jessica Pace, Director of Institutional Advancement at Panola College. “Everyone had fun, and the money we raised supports educational projects at Panola College, including student scholarships.”
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