Co-Lin sophomores Galen, Gavriel, and Gary Clark Jr. of Brookhaven do things together.
After all, they are triplets, sons of Teresa and Gary Clark, Sr., and have always done things together, but Co-Lin is also helping each of them open new doors unique to their own lives.
At Brookhaven High School, they played together in the band. They left together to continue to play together in the low brass section of Co-Lin’s Blue Wave Show Band -- all three of them on scholarship. All three together have been inducted into the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. They were also honored together as selections to Who’s Who at Co-Lin, which recognizes outstanding sophomores with at least a 3.0 GPA who are nominated by a faculty or professional staff member, actively serve the college and demonstrate leadership in extra-curricular activities as well as academics, citizenship and potential for future achievement.
“The Clark triplets are three outstanding, hardworking students,” says Juanita Proffitt, Co-Lin Director of Bands and Fine Arts Division Chair. “All three are on the band's leadership team. Anytime we need something done, they are there and always have a positive attitude. Their presence has made an impact in their sections and on the rest of the band. We are extremely proud to have the Clark triplets at Co-Lin.”
While continuing their achievements together at Co-Lin, the college has also helped them grow as individuals.
Galen, for example, alone was inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, the mathematics honor society, and Sigma Kappa Delta, the English honor society.
The brothers all have their own special memories of being involved on the Co-Lin Wesson campus.
“So far, my favorite memory at Co-Lin has to be when the band traveled and played when our football team went to play in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) championship game this year,” says Galen. “One of the reasons I came to Co-Lin was because of the really great band scholarship they offered me. It was much more affordable to come to a community college first instead of going straight to a university. I have absolutely been happy with my decision to come to Co-Lin.”
For Gary, his experiences at Co-Lin, including being chosen as president of the band and elected “Mr. Co-Lin” by his peers, have helped him come out of a shell. “Being elected as Mr. Co-Lin was a dream come true,” he relates. “Growing up, I was a shy person. Then at Brookhaven High School, I encountered an environment that was all new to me -- the classes, people, student groups and clubs were more than I imagined they would be. Joining the band at BHS had the greatest influence on my personality. It increased my friendliness, discipline, and leadership. And now, I am president of the Co-Lin band and Mr. Co-Lin. It feels amazing to be voted Mr. Co-Lin.”
“I wasn’t concrete on what I wanted my career to be when I was in high school,” Gary also points out. “So, coming to Co-Lin helped me pinpoint what career I truly wanted to pursue.”
Gavriel concurs with his brother and adds: “Co-Lin has done an amazing job at preparing me for Ole Miss. I’ve learned things and accomplished things I thought I would never be good at. One of the classes that has helped me a lot was English Composition I and II taught by Ms. Glenda Silverii. Knowing how to write papers is going to be very crucial for my next step. Another class that has prepared me is Human Anatomy I and II with Mrs. Anita Cliburn. I thank those two instructors and my academic advisor, Mrs. Stewart. The overall experience at Co-Lin has made me feel very confident in my future. I feel like I can accomplish anything.”
When the triplets leave Co-Lin, Gary and Gavriel, at least for the present, will go together to Oxford and the University of Mississippi, where they both plan to pursue dreams of becoming physical therapists. Galen, however, wants to continue his education in cybersecurity and will head to the University of Southern Mississippi. No longer triplets doing things together, but individuals who have made their own career decisions with the help of Co-Lin.