Passion for riding turnings into labor of love Staffers bike, donate

Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
Passion for riding turnings into labor of love
Staffers bike, donate funds for multiple sclerosis research
MCC staffers Amy Miller and Lynne Thrailkill ride. Thrailkill explained, “when I first began
not only ride for exercise; they bike to help doing the event in 2005, I was motivated by the
others.
love I have for biking, however, through the
years, it has become much more.
Miller, graphic designer, and Thrailkill,
workforce project manager, participated last “I have met folks who have multiple sclerosis
month in the Bike MS: Tour de Beach at the and see how this debilitating disease affects its
Alabama Gulf Coast logging in more than 300 victims,” Thrailkill said, adding, “Because I am a
miles collectively for the fundraiser hosted by very active person I cannot imagine how it must
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
feel to have your mobility slowly go away.”
Miller said she participated in an MS 150 race
The organization seeks to help people affected by about 23 years ago and she remembered how
this disease that interrupts the flow of information difficult it was. “Last year I decided to take the
from the brain to the body and stops people from challenge with Lynne; just thinking about me
moving. Multiple sclerosis is unpredictable, riding my bike was enough to get me interested,”
often disabling the central nervous system.
Miller said.
“Every time I see an
adult on a bicycle, I no
longer despair for the
future of the human
race.”
H.G. Wells
Both have a passion for biking and a desire to
help others, and this bike tour wasn’t their first
“As I started raising money, I realized what a
devastating disease MS is and how it affects so
many people,” Miller said.
The race led to more though. “I recently met a
very sweet lady in Meridian who was diagnosed
at the end of 2012,” Thrailkill said, “she was
such an inspiration to me – as we spoke, she
never once complained; she was just grateful for
the funds which are being raised for research.”
Miller said as she started asking for donations
through friends, fellow church members and
Facebook, she realized that biking for a cause is
more than just a bike ride.
With names on their backs, Lynne Thrailkill and Amy
Miller pose before biking.
“It is a ministry,” Miller said.
“If I can make a difference in fighting such a
devastating disease, just by doing something I
love to do, like riding my bike, then what other
opportunities are out there waiting for me or
anyone else that would help change someone’s
life,” Miller asked.
see story continued on next page
Getting
page 2
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
continued from previous page
They raised $650
for Bike MS, and
overall the Tour
de Beach with its
200-plus bikers
netted more than
$200,000. But the
race hasn’t crossed
the finish line.
ready took some time, thought and talent. The
two biked together three times a week since
early spring; Thrailkill estimated she logged
in some 1,000 miles before the weekend event
began. On the race weekend they both rode 80
miles on Saturday, 76 on Sunday, on the roads
that for the most part hugged the Gulf of Mexico
coastline. The first day started off with a torrential
downpour, “but thankfully it didn’t last but 15
minutes,” Miller said, adding, “a few sprinkles
Thrailkill
and
Miller
are
continuing
to
accept
funds
and
donations
can
be made by go
to
http://main.
Amy Miller and Lynne Thrailkill make their way – coming and going – on the Tour de
nationalmssociety.
Beach.
o r g / g o t o /
AmyMiller and/
here and there the rest of the day kept us cooled
or
http://main.
off.” Gusty winds and strong headwinds were nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/ALCBikeE
also an issue, but the pair persevered. “Thanks vents?px=2113995&pg=personal&fr_id=20900
to our drafting techniques, we made it,” Miller
said.
Overall, chapter officials hope the number will
continue to rise before the Monday, Nov. 4,
In addition to their race numbers, they also fundraising deadline. Donations also may be
displayed on the backs of their jerseys the mailed to National MS Society, 813 Shades
names of the people they were honoring or Creek Parkway, Suite 100B, Birmingham, AL.
remembering. And as the two women rode, they 35209.
prayed for those suffering with MS.
page 3
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
Musical to tell the tale of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’
Jekyll & Hyde, the Broadway musical thriller based on the novel,
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis
Stevenson, will come to life during the next Arts & Letters Series
presentation at Meridian Community College.
The MCC Fine Arts Department is producing the musical later
this month that revolves around the brilliant doctor whose
experiments with human personality and creates a murderous
counterpart.
Dr. Henry Jekyll unleashed his own dark side, wreaking havoc
in the streets of late 19-century London as the savage, maniacal
Edward Hyde who manages to kill without getting caught.
Finally as Jekyll is about to marry his lover, Emma, he turns into
Hyde and kills a wedding guest. In the end, Hyde/Jekyll begs
his friend Utterson to kill him. Utterson holds a blade to Hyde/
Jekyll’s heart but cannot harm his friend. However, Hyde/Jekyll
falls forward onto the sword, committing suicide.
Jekyll and Hyde cast members are front row from left, Brandon Davis, Nate Latham and
Dylan Miles; second row from left, Andrea Alonso, Marissa Potate, Anna Edwards-Brown,
Dr. Todd Brand, Michelle O’Hehir and Courtney McDonald; third row from left, Steve Nabors, William Linder, Kelsey Ward, Cody Miller and George Barnett. Not pictured are Seth
Read, Zach Gibson, Ross McDonald, Caroline Kennard and Lucy Kastla.
Taking the lead roles are Dr. Todd Brand (Dr. Henry Jekyll/
Edward Hyde); Anna Edwards-Brown (Emma Carew); and
Marissa Potate (Lucy Harris). Additional roles include Brandon
Davidson (Poole); Nate Latham (Spider); Dylan Miles (Simon Stride); Andrea Alsonso (Lacy Beaconsfield); Michelle O’Hehir (Nellie); William Linder
(Lord Savage) Cody Miller (Bishop of Basingstoke/Bisset); George Barnett (Gabriel John Utterson); Seth Read (Sir Danvers Carew); Zach Gibson (Sir
Archibald Proops); and Ross McDonald (General Lord Glossop). Lead chorus members are Kelsey Ward, Caroline Kennard and Lucy Kastla; Courtney
McDonald is student director; Steve Nabors is director.
The production is set for Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 24-26, at 7 p.m. in the McCain Theater. A Sunday matinee is set for Oct. 27 at 2 o’clock.
For ticket information, contact the Arts & Letters Series office at 601-484-8696.
page 4
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
MCC
Theater
Instructor
Steve Nabors, left, dramatically demonstrates a scene
from Jekyll and Hyde to Cody
Miller, foreground, and Dr.
Todd Brand, back right. The
musical that tells the tale of
the battle between good and
evil will be presented by the
College’s Fine Arts Department Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 24-26, at 7 p.m.
and Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2
p.m. in the College’s McCain
Theater. Tickets for this Arts
& Letters Series production
are $10, adults; $5, students.
Nabors is the director; Miller
portrays the Bishop of Basingstoke/Bisset and Brand
plays the title role of Henry
Jekyll/Edward Hyde.
Cosmetology program students
bring home top awards
MCC students Shelia
Wiley of Meridian
and Abby Conn
of
Philadelphia
brought
back
trophies from the
recent Mississippi
Cosmetology
Association’s 67th
Annual
Student
Competition held in
Philadelphia.
Shelia Wiley, left, and Abby Conn garnered
awards from the Mississippi Cosmetology Student
Competition.
Conn won first place
in nail art and Wiley won first in fantasy hair extensions and a third
place in business day hair extension. She also garnered a trophy for the
most accumulated points in that division. Both Wiley and Conn are first
year Cosmetology program students.
Tanya Wright, program coordinator, was pleased with the students’
efforts. “The competition shows what they learn and it’s a way to
express their creativity,” she said.
Other MCC Cosmetology students vying in the competition were
Sabrina Terrell and Jennifer May, both of Meridian. Student models
participating included Katie Jenkins and Alona Doolittle, both of
Meridian, and Chelsea Sinclair of Enterprise.
MCC’s Cosmetology program is a 12-month course of study designed
to prepare students to care for the hair, complexion, hands and feet.
page 5
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
MCC alumna Senora Miller Logan
shares her story with current students
Offering advise to students in the Honors
College, Senora Miller Logan recalled how she
enjoyed being a student at MCC.
Mississippi where she is responsible for the
day-to-day operations of the Luckyday Success
Program. She manages staff and organizes any
major retreats or training session sponsored by
“I loved all of my MCC instructors,” said Logan, Luckyday. She also assists with the development
who graduated from the College in 1993. After of Luckyday curriculum.
earning her associate degree, she received her
bachelor of arts in accounting from Anderson She encouraged the MCC students to get to
University in Anderson, Ind. Logan was the guest know their instructors and professors. “Don’t
speaker at the MCC Honors College session held ever be afraid to ask for help,” she said. Barbara
on campus.
Jones, MCC vice president for operations, said Jones, right, presents gift to Logan after her talk with
she invited Logan to speak, “because she is a MCC Honors College students.
Today, Logan is the assistant director of the successful graduate of MCC and she works at
Luckyday Programs at the University of one of our transferring institutions.”
Liddell: Building on the American dream
Victoria Liddell is helping others build dreams. to the College and the recipient is given a $250 Liddell’s favorite quote,
She’s also MCCer of the Month.
honorarium.
credited to the founder of
Mrs. Fields Cookies, Debbie
Liddell, the director of the East Mississippi Liddell is a native of Belzoni, located in the Fields, parallels with what
Development Corp. and the Entrepreneurship Mississippi Delta, and she holds a bachelor and she shares with those in the
Program at the College, finds that the most master of business administration from Franklin Entrepreneurship Program:
rewarding part of her job is “helping people fulfill University with summa cum laude distinction. “The most important thing
their dreams of owning their own business,” she Liddell is also an MCC alumna.
is not be afraid to take a
said.
chance. Remember, the
The mother of two sons – Frederick Liddell Jr. and greatest failure is not to try.
Liddell
A 10-year staffer, Liddell was recognized Jason Yarbor – she is married to Northeast High Once you find something
by the College’s Foundation for the monthly School coach Frederick Liddell. Jason studies you love to do, be the best at doing it.”
recognition. The award applauds outstanding at Northwestern State University of Louisiana;
faculty and staff members for their dedication Frederick Jr. attends Northeast Elementary.
page 6
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
‘Reflections’ lecture set for Oct. 29
MCC will be offering a free public program, Reflections of the Universe, ers of leading international space science magazines, books, exhibitions
on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. by Edwin Faughn, director of Rainwater and planetarium productions such as Scientific American and the world
Observatory in French Camp.
premiere of Titanic: The Exhibition.
The lecture is underwritten by MCC and the Mississippi NASA Space Edwin also served nearly 20 years as the art director for the Sharpe PlanGrant Consortium.
etarium of the Pink Palace Family of Museums in Memphis. His work
Admission is free of charge to the campus and community.
is now featured on the main Kepler website of NASA’s Ames Research
Center.
“Reflections of the Universe” focuses on the magnificent visual beauty and
unimaginable vastness of the heavens. This presentation is illustrated with For more information about the presentation, contact Dr. Angela Carnumerous paintings by Faughn that have been featured in and on the cov- raway, at extension 660.
October 21
Toni Devaney
Michelle Stettner
Celeste Watson
October 22
Ginger Crawford
Anne Johnson
October 23
Kay Thomas
October 24
Victoria Liddell
Stephanie Blount
October 25
Lara Collum
page 7
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
page 8
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
Congratulating – Dean of Academic Affairs Michael Thompson, right,
hands a certificate to MCC Humanities Professor of the Year Kelly McKee after she
gave her address, “Uplifting One Another: Celebrating Community,” to the college
community. McKee also will be honored in a statewide Humanities Council presentation early next year.
Glass act - Artist Kat Burton, right, discusses
with freshmen Katelyn Belcher and Adam Clark how
she creates her own brand of glass art during a reception held in the Miller Art Gallery featuring Burton’s
work. The show featuring the MCC alumna’s work will
be on display now through Nov. 7. Gallery hours are
Monday through Thursday, 10m a.m. to 4 p.m., and
Friday by appointment only.
page 9
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
Festival features Western flair
Autumn event kicks off Oct. 28
Put on your boots. Hop up in the saddle. Shout a yee-haw. It’s time for
MCC’s Fall Fest 2013: Wild, Wild West – Eagle Country.
Later that evening, beginning at 7 o’clock, the MCC’s Got Talent Show
will begin in the McCain Theater.
Organizer Adrian Cross, recruiter, said this week always is a highlight of
the fall semester.
As the academic week comes to an end, on Thursday, Oct. 31, it’s
Halloween Costume Day. Cross urged the campus community to “dress in
you most spook-tacular Halloween costume.”
The campus-life festivities get under way in Ivy Hall on Monday, Oct. 28,
at high noon, of course, with the Rootin’ Tootin’ Chili Cook-off in which
participants are vying for the title of “MCC’s Best Chili Chef.” It’s also
Animal Print Day/Think Pink Day and MCCers are encouraged to wear
their best animal print attire or dress for a cure in pink attire.
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, at high noon, too, the judging of the Door Decorating
Contest begins. The winners of this competition will receive lunch for their
bunch. Cross said participants are asked to “dress to impress in your best
MCC gear.”
Food plus entertainment plus fun will be the order of the day for
Wednesday, Oct. 30, with the FallFest’s Western Day. From 10 a.m. to 2
p.m., College organizations including Gospel Choir, Medical Lab, Health
Information Technology, Ivy League, Phi Beta Lambda, Business and
Office Technology; Phi Beta Lambda, Computer Technology; Distributive
Education Clubs of America (DECA), Dental Hygiene, Surgical
Technology and Early Childhood Education will be selling a myriad of
treats – from chili cheese fries to fried Oreos and Twinkies. There will also
be food from off-campus vendors including Chick-Fil-A and Mugshots.
PTK to host ‘Commit to Completion’
signing at FallFest
Statistics show the surest way for anyone to land a job in their chosen field is to finish
college and earn a degree or certificate.
And that’s exactly what MCC students are promising to do - signing a mass pledge to
complete their associate degrees or certificates before leaving community college for
transfer or to enter the job market. Administrators, faculty and staff have also been
asked to sign the pledge, committing themselves to do whatever they can to facilitate
completion of student credentials.
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., students are encouraged to stop by
the Phi Theta Kappa table at Fall Fest to sign the completion pledge, part of a national
community college movement. The event is being hosted by the college’s Nu Upsilon
Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society for community
and junior colleges.
PTK members are serving as the student arm of the Community College Completion
Challenge, a national education initiative. Learn more at www.cccompletioncorps.org .
page 10
SPEAKING
Meridian Community College - Monday Morning
Graduation application deadline Oct. 25
The graduation application deadline for the fall is Friday, Oct. 25.
Students should see an advisor in the advising area of Ivy Hall to
apply, said Ashley Hunter, registrar/technical specialist.
Students are not required to pay a fee if they are not planning to
participate in the ceremony. Those students wanting to participate
in the ceremony can charge their graduation fee to their financial
aid until Friday, Oct. 4.
Questions? Contact Hunter at extension 636 or email ahunter4@
meridiancc.edu.
More opportunities to learn
Additional on-campus professional development opportunities are
on the horizon and they include the sessions of the Art of Animoto,
Tuesday and Friday, Oct. 22 and Oct. 25; and QEP Update, Nov. 5
and Nov. 8.
For more information, contact Michael Thompson, dean of academic affairs, extension 700, or email at mthompso@meridiancc.
edu
It’s that season
Flu shots will be given Thursday, Oct. 24, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the
Damon Fitness Center, said Wade Heggie, Damon Fitness Center
director.
Open enrollment for health insurance
October is the month for open enrollment for the College’s health
insurance, said Shellye Espey, human resources coordinator.
The deadline is Thursday, Oct. 25. Contact Espey to make an appointment to make changes in your current health plan. “If you add
any dependents, the effective date of coverage is Jan. 1, 2014,” she
said.
Open enrollment is only for the health coverage. Other changes
were made during open enrollment for the cafeteria plan, pre-taxable deductions, she said.
Espey can be contacted by calling extension 309 or email her at
sespey@meridiancc.edu
Decal details
MCC faculty and staff members who park on campus need to have
their parking decals on their vehicles or the ones they have be recognizable, said Chief of Campus Police Shane Williams. “Please
come by the office and pick up a decal for your vehicle,” he said.
For more information, contact Williams at extension 869 or email
him at swilli46@meridiancc.edu
If you plan to file the cost of the shot on your Blue Cross Blue
Shield policy, please bring a copy of your insurance card. The cost
of the vaccine is $25.
page 11
MCC Weekly Schedule | 21-OCT-13 to 27-OCT-13
Monday Gideon Bible Distribution 0700 AM - 0700 PM, Ivy Hall Nursing 2210 1000 AM - 0100 PM, Webb Hall DULANEY Practical Nursing Information Session 0100 PM - 0200 PM, Webb Hall DULANEY Graduation Evaluation Awareness 0200 PM - 0400 PM, Todd Library CASTEEL GED Class 0500 PM - 0800 PM, Ivy Hall 194 Tuesday Gideon Bible Distribution 0700 AM - 0700 PM, Ivy Hall President’s Roundtable Luncheon 0800 AM - 0200 PM, MCC Multipurpose Building Professional Development 0230 PM - 0330 PM, Todd Library CASTEEL MCC Gospel Choir 0400 PM - 0700 PM, Ivy Hall 162 MCC vs. Pearl River (Women/Men Soccer Games) 0500 PM - 0900 PM, Soccer Field Wednesday BSU Noonday 1100 AM - 0130 PM, G.V. Sonny Montgomery BANQTRM Generic A.D.N. Information Session 0230 PM - 0330 PM, Health Center 240 GED Class 0500 PM - 0800 PM, Ivy Hall 194 MASEP 0600 PM - 0930 PM, Health Center 220 MASEP 0600 PM - 0930 PM, Health Center 240 Thursday EMDC Board Meeting 0900 AM - 0200 PM, Webb Hall DULANEY Financial Aid Planning 1000 AM - 1200 PM, Todd Library CASTEEL MACJC Tennis Coaches Meeting 1200 PM - 0200 PM, G.V. Sonny Montgomery BANQTRM FCA Meeting 1230 PM - 0130 PM, Chapel SANCTUARY OSN Meeting 0130 PM - 0330 PM, MCC Multipurpose Building Flu Shots 0330 PM - 0500 PM, Fitness Center Jekyll & Hyde Production 0700 PM - 0930 PM, Ivy Hall THE
Friday Weight Watchers Meeting 0745 AM - 0900 AM, Fitness Center 200 State Financial Aid Training Workshop 0900 AM - 0400 PM, MCC Multipurpose Building Professional Development 1030 AM - 1230 PM, Todd Library CASTEEL Jekyll & Hyde Production 0700 PM - 0930 PM, Ivy Hall THE Saturday ACT Testing 0700 AM - 0100 PM, Ivy Hall Serve-Safe-Food 0700 AM - 0500 PM, Culinary Building BEEP Training 0830 AM - 0330 PM, Reed Hall 135 First Tee Program 0900 AM - 1130 AM, Annex A 101 St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church 0200 PM - 1000 PM, MCC Multipurpose Building Jekyll & Hyde Production 0700 PM - 0930 PM, Ivy Hall THE Sunday Jekyll & Hyde Production 0200 PM - 0430 PM, Ivy Hall THE Monday CRC Certificate 0800 AM - 0430 PM Webb Hall Classical Ballet 0330 PM - 0730 PM Fitness Center Detention Officers Trng 0400 PM - 0900 PM Webb Hall GSR Forklift Safety Course 0400 PM - 0800 PM Workforce Development Center 108 Medical Office Concepts 0500 PM - 0800 PM Workforce Development Center 102 Medical Office Terminilogy I 0500 PM - 0800 PM Workforce Development Center 103 Vital Care Call Ctr Cust Svcs 0500 PM - 0800 PM Webb Hall 129 Pharmacy Technician 0530 PM - 0930 PM Workforce Development Center 105 Elect Apprentice I 0600 PM - 1000 PM Annex A 101 Elect Apprentice II 0600 PM - 1000 PM Annex B 202 Electrical Level I 0600 PM - 1000 PM Workforce Development Center 107 HVAC I - Part I 0600 PM - 0900 PM Reed Hall 100 MPSA Reserve Law 0600 PM - 1000 PM Workforce Development Center AUDITORIUM Start/Operate a Business 0600 PM - 0900 PM Webb Hall 100 Tuesday McDonald’s Swing Manager Trng 0100 PM - 0400 PM Workforce Development Center 100 Detention Officers Trng 0400 PM - 0900 PM Webb Hall GSR Phlebotomy Essentials 0430 PM - 0630 PM Workforce Development Center 108 Digital Photography 0530 PM - 0730 PM Webb Hall 128 Front Office Personnel Trng 0530 PM - 0900 PM Workforce Development Center 103 IBEST Computer Literacy 0530 PM - 0830 PM Workforce Development Center 102 Cabinetry & Woodworking 0600 PM - 0900 PM Reed Hall 132 Elect Apprentice III 0600 PM - 1000 PM Annex A 101 Elect Apprentice IV 0600 PM - 1000 PM Annex B 202 Electrical Level II 0600 PM - 1000 PM Workforce Development Center 107 Electrical Level IV 0600 PM - 1000 PM Workforce Development Center 106 HVAC Level II-Pt I 0600 PM - 0900 PM Reed Hall 100 Personal Self Defense 0600 PM - 0900 PM Workforce Development Center AUDITORIUM Wednesday IBEST Medical Terminology 0100 PM - 0430 PM Workforce Development Center 105 Detention Officers Trng 0400 PM - 0900 PM Webb Hall GSR HVAC I-Pt I 0600 PM - 0900 PM Reed Hall 100 IBEST Personal/Prof Dev 0600 PM - 0930 PM Workforce Development Center 105 Thursday Classical Ballet 0330 PM - 0730 PM Fitness Center Guitar - Children 0415 PM - 0515 PM Chapel AR Phlebotomy Essentials 0430 PM - 0630 PM Workforce Development Center 108 Vital Care Call Ctr Cust Svcs 0500 PM - 0800 PM Webb Hall 129 Digital Photography 0530 PM - 0730 PM Webb Hall 128 Guitar - Adults & Teens 0530 PM - 0630 PM Chapel AR IBEST Computer Literacy 0530 PM - 0830 PM Workforce Development Center 102 Copper Cabling Trng 0600 PM - 1000 PM Workforce Development Center 104 Elect Apprentice V 0600 PM - 1000 PM Annex A 101 Electrical Level III 0600 PM - 1000 PM Workforce Development Center 107 In The Kitchen: French Qtr. 0600 PM - 0800 PM Culinary Building MPSA Reserve Law 0600 PM - 1000 PM Workforce Development Center AUDITORIUM Welding-Fundamentals 0600 PM - 1000 PM Ross Collins Vocational Center Friday Flux Core Metal Arc Welding 0700 AM - 1200 PM Workforce Development Center SHOP Saturday ServSafe Food Trng 0800 AM - 0500 PM Culinary Hotel Management Street Defensive Driving 0800 AM - 0500 PM Workforce Development Center AUDITORIUM