FestivalSouth® announces On Pointe, the USA International Ballet Competition Showcase at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium on the Southern Miss campus on Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. See former USA IBC medalists, who are now principal dancers in major dance companies, perform classical and contemporary variations and enjoy music by the Lagniappe Trio. Tickets are on sale now at festivalsouth.org. These two powerhouse arts organizations join forces to bring you an evening filled with beautiful music and world-class dance. Held every four years, the USA International Ballet Competition is a two-week “Olympic-style” competition for top young dancers and a major stepping-stone toward a professional career. Competitors from all over the world vie for gold, silver, and bronze medals; cash prizes; and company contracts. Dancers for this evening include Princess Reid (Joffrey Ballet), Chisako Oga (Boston Ballet), Derek Dunn (Boston Ballet), Misa Kuranaga (San Francisco Ballet), Brooklyn Mack (international guest artist), and Julia Rust (Joffrey Ballet). In addition to the great dance performances, the Lagniappe Trio, featuring Rachel Taratoot Ciraldo, flute, Christopher Lowry, viola and composer, and Stephanie Gustafson Amfahr, harp, will perform to make the evening a perfect pairing of music and dance. As a special offering for students of dance, the USA International Ballet Competition presents a barre class, Friday, June 11 from 12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m. at the South Mississippi Ballet Theatre (5296 Old Hwy 11 #5, Hattiesburg, MS 39402). In this class, Joffrey dancer and 2018 USA IBC medalist, will teach a special limited capacity class for aspiring dancers. Recommended or intermediate and advanced level dancers age 12 and up. Participants should wear leotards, tights, ballet shoes, have hair secured neatly (a bun for ladies), and a mask. The cost for the master class is $25 per participant. Visit festivalsouth.org to pre-register and for complete details. Tickets, registration and more information may be found at festivalsouth.org. For more information, visit festivalsouth.org and social media including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. ABOUT THE DANCERS Princess Reid grew up in Jacksonville, FL. She started studying ballet at age seven at The Florida Ballet under the direction of Laurie Picinich-Byrd where she danced until she was 18. Soon after, she joined Orlando Ballet's second company in 2015, where she stayed until May 2018. While in Orlando, Reid performed in Don Quixote, Serenade, and Val Caniparoli's A Cinderella Story, to name a few. Reid was also given the opportunity to perform Robert Hill's Requiem at the American Dance Competition gala in 2016 and in June 2018, she competed in the prestigious USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. Chisako Oga was born in Dallas, Texas. She trained at San Francisco Ballet School on a full scholarship, prior to being promoted to trainee then apprentice. In 2016, Oga joined the Cincinnati ballet, where she quickly rose to the position of principal. As a Principal at Cincinnati ballet, Oga danced roles such as Principal Couple in George Balanchine’s Rubies, Russian Girl in Balanchine’s Serenade, Aurora in Devon Carney’s The Sleeping Beauty, Juliet in Victoria Morgan’s Romeo and Juliet, and Swanilda in Kirk Peterson’s Coppélia. She has received several awards throughout her career. In 2016, she received a silver medal in the Shanghai International Ballet Competition. In 2018, she won the bronze medal at the USA International Ballet Competition. Oga has been praised by Dance Magazine for being a “technical whirlwind” with “riveting acting abilities.” Recently, she was named one of the “25 to Watch” in 2019. She joined the Boston Ballet as second soloist in 2019 and was promoted to soloist in 2020. Derek Dunn began dancing at the Edna Lee Dance Studio in Maryland. He continued his training at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia from 2009 to 2012. Dunn joined Houston Ballet in 2012. With Houston Ballet, Dunn performed in ballets including Julia Adam’s Ketubah, David Bintley’s Aladdin (the Djinn), Christopher Bruce’s Intimate Pages, William Forsythe’s In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Melissa Hough’s …the third kind [is] useless, Ronald Hyne’s Merry Widow, Edward Liang’s Murmuration, Hans van Manen’s Solo, Jiři Kylián’s Sechs Tanze, Trey McIntyre’s Peter Pan, Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker (Gopak), Stanton Welch’s Clear, La Bayadère (Dream Gold), Madame Butterfly, Maninyas, Marie, Of Blessed Memory, Paquita, The Rite of Spring, Swan Lake, Sons de l’âme (Sounds of the Soul), and The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. His Boston Ballet repertoire includes George Balanchine’s Chaconne and Prodigal Son (The Son), August Bournonville’s pas de deux from Flower Festival in Genzano and La Sylphide (Gurn), John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), Jorma Elo’s Fifth Symphony of Jean Sibelius, William Forsythe’s Pas/Parts 2018, Wayne McGregor’s Obsidian Tear, Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker (Harlequin, Pastorale, and Russian), and Justin Peck’s In Creases. Dunn earned the Youth America Grand Prix Award in 2008, the Junior Gold medal in 2010, and the Senior Gold medal in 2012 at the Youth America Grand Prix. He was also awarded the Junior Bronze Medal at the USA International Ballet Competition in 2010. Dunn has been featured on the October/November 2016 cover of Pointe magazine and in Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2014. Dunn joined Boston Ballet as a soloist in 2017 and was promoted to principal dancer in 2018. Misa Kuranaga initially trained at the Jinushi Kaoru Ballet School in her native Japan and then received additional training at the School of American Ballet in New York City. Before joining Boston Ballet in 2003 she was a member of the San Francisco Ballet. In Boston she was promoted to soloist in 2005 and to principal dancer in 2009. Kuranaga was the first Asian person to be promoted to principal dancer at Boston Ballet. She returned to San Francisco Ballet as a principal dancer in 2019. Kuranaga started her competition career at the Chubu National Ballet Competition where she was the youngest participant to win the gold medal in the pre-junior division. When she was only ten years old she was invited by Bolshoi Ballet director Yuri Grigorovich to participate in the Moscow International Ballet Competition Gala. She received a scholarship award at the Prix de Lausanne competition in 2001 and also won a gold medal as a Junior in the Moscow IBC that same year. In 2006 she won the senior gold medal at the USA International Ballet Competition and was named one of "25 to Watch" by Dance Magazine. She has been a guest performer with the New York City Ballet (2009) and the Vail International Dance Festival (2009, 2010). Brooklyn Mack began his ballet training at age 12 at the Pavlovich Dance School in Elgin, South Carolina. At age 15, he received a full scholarship to study at The Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Mack joined the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as an apprentice in 2004 and began training with ABT Studio Company in August 2005. He joined Orlando Ballet in 2006 and The Washington Ballet in 2009. In 2015, he became a guest artist with English National Ballet. Mack’s repertoire has included Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Crassus in Fernando Bujones’s Spartacus, Basilio and Espada in Don Quixote, Conrad and Ali in Le Corsaire, Albrecht in Giselle, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and George Wilson in The Great Gatsby, as well as roles in Twyla Tharp’s Surfer At The River Styx, Nicolo Fonte’s Bolero Trey McIntyre’s A Day in the Life and Edwaard Liang’s La Ofrenda. His awards include a silver medal at the 2006 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, the 2007 Princess Grace Awards fellowship, the silver prize at the 2009 Helsinki International Ballet Competition, the Grand Prix at the 2012 Istanbul International Ballet Competition and the Gold Medal at the 2012 Varna International Ballet Competition. Julia Rust was offered a full company contract just after turning 17 years old while at the prestigious USA International Ballet Competition in 2018. Ms. Rust, now in her third season with the esteemed Joffrey Ballet, was also awarded the Silver Medal. Born and raised in Noblesville, Indiana, she trained with Alyona Yakovleva-Randall and the faculty of Indiana Ballet Conservatory. She furthered her training during summers at many esteemed international schools and then at The Washington School of Ballet - all on scholarship. She continues to be coached by Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky. Rust was awarded the Grand Prix Award at the Youth America Grand Prix Semifinal and went on to place in the Top 12 at the World Finals in NYC. She is also the recipient of the Fernando Bujones Memorial Award at ADC|IBC. She has danced in "The Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow" Gala in Salt Lake City, The International Ballet Festival of Miami, and the Awards Gala and Encore Gala at USA IBC. Ms. Rust appears courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet, Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director.

A Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) senior has been awarded the highest honor given by the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Larson Lewis has been awarded the Lindy Callahan Scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year. Only 16 seniors in the state receive the scholarship annually. Honorees are chosen for their academic accomplishments as well as participation in athletics and extracurricular activities. Each winner receives a $1,500 scholarship. The award was launched in 1996 to honor long-time coach and athletic director Lindy Callahan of Gulfport, an eight-time Hall of Fame inductee. The last time a student from Wesson Attendance Center was awarded this highest honor was in 2013. Lewis is the son of Amy Lewis and Russ Lewis. He is a proven leader inside and outside the classroom at WAC. He is a member of the varsity basketball, baseball, golf and tennis teams at WAC. He is also a two-year member of the Student Council, a member of the ACT Platinum Club, Senior Beta Club, Phi Theta Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta. Lewis was selected as STAR Student, chosen as Most Intelligent in Senior Who’s Who, was a Boy’s State Representative, and has received the highest GPA award throughout his high school career. Lewis was selected as All-District and District MVP for basketball his senior season. Larson is also a mentor and coach for the Wesson Pee-Wee Basketball program. Lewis will attend Co-LIN and then transfer to Mississippi State University, where he will major in pre-med.

Central District Public Service Commissioner Brent Bailey announced the final approval for federal funds to Aristotle Unified Communications LLC and Windstream Communications LLC to support the deployment of high-speed internet service to customers across six counties in the Central District. The Commission conducted a special open meeting on Thursday. Following a unanimous vote by the Commission, Windstream Communications, LLC was approved to receive funds through the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase 1 Auction. Aristotle Unified Communications, LLC was approved by the Commission at a later date. Within the Central District, Aristotle Unified Communications will receive $1,484,976.08 to distribute to 4,347 locations in three counties- Issaquena, Sharkey and Yazoo. Windstream Communications will receive a total of $9,426,300 with some of those funds covering costs to provide service in Copiah, Hinds and Rankin counties, which are also located within the Central District. “I am excited to join my fellow Commissioners in closing the broadband divide we have had for too long across much of rural Mississippi,” Commissioner Bailey said. “With these funds, these companies will have the ability to provide reliable, good quality service at just, reasonable and affordable rates for those who are unserved or underserved. I am thrilled to be a part of the enormous steps we as a Commission have been taking over the last year with the common goal of bringing connectivity to all Mississippians.” Overall, Mississippi had a total of 24 winning bidders of RDOF funds who will potentially receive a collective total of $495,725,799.60. Mississippi received the second highest amount of funds in the country, following California. More information on the RDOF Phase I auction is available at https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904, including complete auction results and a map of winning bids.

The Courts of Mississippi are pleased to announce Pearl River Community College’s inaugural program for court reporters. Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 6 at the Hattiesburg campus of Pearl River Community College. The program is designed to respond to an urgent need for well-trained professional stenographers to record, transcribe and create an official record of court proceedings. There is a shortage of certified court reporters, as retirements have outpaced new people coming into the profession. There are currently 281 licensed court reporters in Mississippi, according to the Mississippi Board of Certified Court Reporters. There were 375 licensed court reporters a decade ago. That includes official court reporters for all federal and state courts as well as freelance court reporters. For students considering court reporting as a profession, “You are not going to have a problem finding a job,” said Rose Sanchez of Hattiesburg, who became the Mississippi Court Reporters Association president in April. She is a court reporter for Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell in the 15th Circuit District. Other employment opportunities are available outside the courtroom, with the need for closed captioning in television, movies, sports broadcasting and other venues. Twila Jordan-Hoover of Carriere, immediate past president of the Mississippi Court Reporters Association, and Sanchez will teach classes on Friday and Saturday twice a month. The hybrid program will also include online classes. The new program is prepared to enroll as many as 15 students, said Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President for the Forrest County campus of PRCC. The first step for interested students is to apply for enrollment at PRCC. Enrollment information may be found on the college’s website, www.prcc.edu. Leaders of the Mississippi Court Reporters Association set plans in motion for a training program about three years ago. Sanchez, Jordan-Hoover and other court reporters around the state volunteered to provide in-person instruction through a national organization that provides a hybrid online six-week introduction to court reporting. The free program, known as A to Z, is designed to give students an opportunity to learn about a possible career path without investing a lot of time and money. Online programs are available through which students can pursue training, but the nearest classroom program for court reporting was in Gadsden, Ala. “The problem is if they leave, what if they don’t come back,” Jordan-Hoover said. She knows several A to Z participants who went to classes in Alabama and Texas. “Having a school here will allow us to keep our students here and fulfill the need we have in our state.” Jordan-Hoover works as a court reporter for Chancellor Deborah Gambrell Chambers in the 10th Chancery District. She discussed the association’s ideas with Judge Gambrell Chambers, who reached out to Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph and to Mississippi Judicial College Director Randy Pierce. They discussed ways to set up a training program and contacted several colleges and universities. Pearl River Community College agreed to provide the program and obtained approval for the curriculum. “There was a need and we just figured out a way to bring it to fruition,” said Judge Gambrell Chambers. “Pearl River Community College and its leadership are to be commended,” Pierce said. Chief Justice Randolph said, “I am extremely pleased that the leaders of the Court Reporters Association, in conjunction with urging by Judge Gambrell Chambers, and the willingness of Pearl River Community College, have created this wonderful opportunity for young people to get involved in a very well-respected and well-paid profession. This will provide a career path for those individuals who do not desire a four year education, but seek a meaningful and rewarding career.” Chancellor Kiley Kirk and Court Administrator Erin Land of the Sixth Chancery Court know the frustration of searching for temporary court reporters to fill in. The official court reporter left in April. Land said, “I call around and just try to find one to schedule for motions and trial dates.” Trial dates are scheduled into next year. But, Land said, “Nobody really wants to schedule that far in advance.” Judge Kirk said, “I like for things to be lined up. I’m having to work in an atmosphere of uncertainty.”

Soldiers from units across Mississippi are conducting their annual training with the Mississippi National Guard at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California now through the month of June. The MSNG is a lethal, relevant, and ready force. They are prepared to deploy for missions in Mississippi and beyond when our Nation calls. The 155th is one of two Army National Guard fully modernized brigade combat teams in the U.S. Army and is the largest unit in the Mississippi National Guard with approximately 3,850 Soldiers (including Kansas' 1-635th Armor Regiment). The brigade's 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment is the sixth oldest infantry regiment in the U.S. Army and is known as the "Mississippi Rifles." The Magnolia State's NTC rotation is designed by the U.S. Army's Total Force Policy training guidelines. Mississippi is just one of several states serving together executing joint training focused on realistic scenarios designed to challenge a multitude of military occupational specialties and diverse units from across the state and nation to include but not limited to; . 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team - Tupelo . 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment - McComb . 2d Battalion, 198th Armor Regiment - Senatobia . 2d Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment - Starkville . 1st Squadron, 98th Cavalry Regiment - Amory . 106th Base Support Battalion - Hattiesburg . 150th Engineer Battalion - Meridian . 1st Battalion, 635th Armor Regiment - Kansas National Guard . 184th Sustainment Command - Laurel . 298th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Philadelphia . 113th Military Police Company - Brandon . 11th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade - Texas National Guard . A/1-49 Attack Reconnaissance Squadron - Tupelo . D/1-49 Aviation Maintenance - Tupelo . A/1-185th Assault Helicopter Battalion - Jackson . D/1-185th Assault Helicopter Battalion - Jackson . 238th Air Support Operations Squadron - Meridian . 172d Airlift Wing - Flowood . 102d Mobile Public Affairs Detachment - Jackson Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the Mississippi National Guard adjutant general, defines success for this year's annual training mission. "The Mississippi National Guard's training at the National Training Center offers a Total Force training opportunity focused on testing our systems and skills so that we can communicate, move down range, and order equipment and supplies in an austere environment. The training is realistic and prepares our soldiers, airmen, and leaders for any mission at home or abroad." National Guard readiness relies on well-considered planning, expertly trained personnel, and the willingness to respond to the nation's needs at moment's notice. Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Silvester Tatum, the Mississippi National Guard senior enlisted leader, got a firsthand look with MSNG senior leaders during a recent visit to NTC as our personnel focused on the beginning phases of training. "Ensuring readiness and resiliency for our Soldiers is a primary task. To maintain readiness requires our soldiers and airmen to be deployable, sustainable, and interoperable with our active duty comrades," said Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Tatum. "A rotation at the National Training Center enhances our readiness across the state." A NTC rotation replicates the tough, realistic operational environment that America's war fighters face in combat; the training is relevant and quickly adaptable to emerging threats and technologies in today's current operational environments and for tomorrow's challenges. The training is reflective of the complexities of potential adversaries our nation could face to include: guerrilla, insurgent, criminal and near-peer conventional forces woven into one dynamic environment. The NTC rotation allows the 155th, and supporting units to build teamwork and maintain combat readiness for future missions. Total force training benefits include increased individual soldier and collective battle staff proficiency, standard operating procedure exchanges, and stronger cross component relationships. The 155th is developing those partnerships with the Kansas National Guard's 1st Battalion, 635th Armor Regiment as a member of its formation during NTC 2021. The National Guard is unique with the diversity of our professional soldiers and airmen and the experience and expertise they bring to the Total Force. Monticello's 184th Sustainment Command is the lead command element in Joint Task Force Magnolia assisting the deployment process for the 155th ABCT's 2021 NTC rotation. It is one of the U.S. Army's 13 sustainment commands and one of two in the National Guard. The 184th helps to build combat power and maintain readiness. Without sustainment, units cannot engage and defeat our adversaries. The 184th and partner elements facilitated the movement of over 4,000 MSNG personnel and 800 vehicles to Fort Irwin for the 2021 NTC exercise. "Our Mississippi Soldiers and Airmen are fully prepared to complete and support combat operations training at the National Training Center," said Maj. Gen. Boyles. "This NTC rotation will display the Mississippi National Guard's robust talent, joint capabilities, and commitment to national defense." Members of the MSNG will complete their NTC rotation by the end of June. MSNG soldiers and airmen are true professionals dedicated to the safety and security of our state and nation. MSNG Video - Interview with Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles at NTC June 2, 2021 https://www.dvidshub.net/tags/video/155ntc21?view=list&sort=date

By unanimous consent, the Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC) has voted to appoint Brad White as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) beginning July 1, 2021. White currently serves as Chief of Staff for Governor Tate Reeves. He has previously served as Chief of Staff for United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and former United State Senator Thad Cochran. “Brad has a proven track record in managing governmental affairs on the federal level as well as the state level,” Transportation Commission Chairman Tom King said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge of the legislative process and staff management. He will certainly be an asset to MDOT and we look forward to working with him to move Mississippi’s transportation infrastructure forward.” White is no stranger to MDOT as he previously served as assistant to former Central District Commissioner Dick Hall from 1999 to 2005. “I feel in some ways like I’m coming home. MDOT has always been a special place for me,” said White. “I look forward to what we can accomplish together working with the Transportation Commission and MDOT staff.” The State of Mississippi vests oversight of its transportation resources and operations in a three-member elected Mississippi Transportation Commission representing three geographic areas in the state as defined by the Supreme Court Districts: Northern, Central and Southern. The Commissioners represent the electorate and have the authority and responsibility for the supervision of all modes of transportation in the state dealing with aeronautics, highways, ports, public transit and railroads. In accordance with state law, the Commission is responsible for planning, developing and coordinating a comprehensive, balanced intermodal transportation policy for the state. The Commission membership appoints its Chairman. The Commission appoints an Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to carry out the day-to-day policies and procedures of the agency.

More than 63,000 Mississippi homeowners currently have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). An update to the program called Risk Rating 2.0 will change how flood insurance is priced and determine flood risk. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has touted the transformation as “equity in action” with policyholders no longer paying more than their share of flood insurance premiums. The Federal Government sets these rates. “I agree with FEMA’s assessment of the update,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. “The NFIP has historically suffered from funding issues and needed a long-term solution to provide flood insurance for years to come. Risk Rating 2.0 ensures protection for flood policyholders going forward.” In Mississippi, 96% of current policyholders’ premiums will either increase or decrease by $20 or less per month. Over 10,000 policyholders will see an immediate decrease in premiums. An increase or decrease will depend on the property flood zone, year of construction, how the property will be used and elevation difference. Click here for a further breakdown of policy premiums. “While these changes do result in higher premiums for some policyholders, there will be savings for others,” said Chaney. “There are also private flood insurance providers which is a good thing, providing policyholders with options. Homeowners should also consider improvements to their homes to make them safer and less flood-prone.”

The American Heart Association’s annual Metro Jackson Go Red for Women Luncheon Digital Experience is set for Thursday, June 10, at 12 p.m. The virtual event will raise money and awareness about women’s number one health threat: heart disease. The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, invites all Mississippians to join the experience that will offer educational opportunities, an inspiring story from a special little survivor, and share what is being done to improve the lives of people living in communities across the state. The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While nearly eighty percent of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of one in three women. The American Heart Association believes losing even one woman is too many. This year’s digital experience will be an opportunity to come together and take action against heart disease in women while empowering guests to take charge of their physical, mental and maternal health. Guests will learn about the efforts of the American Heart Association throughout the last year as the work of the organization moves forward to ensure longer, healthier lives for everyone in Mississippi communities. “The work being done in Mississippi is having an incredible impact on our community to reach those in need of additional support or simple awareness about the impacts of heart disease and stroke,” said Emily Speed, co-chair of the Metro Jackson Go Red for Women® movement. “We’re excited to invite everyone to join us for this year’s luncheon to learn more about how they can play a role in making real change in their health and the health of our community.” WJTV-12’s Chloe Ortega will emcee the event. Registration must be completed to reserve a spot and receive the digital invitation. For more information or to register, visit metrojacksongored.heart.org.

The Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) is accepting applications for the Dance, Vocal and Media Arts/Filmmaking Departments. Students who will be entering 11th grade apply online on the MSA website www.msabrookhaven.org. The process for admission includes on-line application, virtual audition and interview. Accepted students attend their Junior and Senior years of high school at MSA. If you know of students just finishing the 10th grade that will be entering the 11th grade who might be interested in dance, vocal music or filmmaking, please let them know about this opportunity. Students have the option to be a Commuting Student and live at home if they live within 27 miles of MSA. MSA is a public statewide eleventh and twelfth grade residential high school located in Brookhaven, MS on the Historic Whitworth College campus. Annually, MSA enrolls students who meet and exceed the traditional Mississippi high school curriculum by receiving intensive instruction in dance, literary arts, theatre, visual arts, vocal music and media arts/filmmaking. MSA is a great school for those students who want to explore the arts in an extraordinary way. We also fill a special need for students with demonstrated talent that need a collegiate level learning experience in the arts that is not widely available across our state. We have some very exciting, unique opportunities for our students in the upcoming 2021-2022 school year! Our Media/Filmmaking students will be doing a collaborative project with the San Francisco Arts Institute (SFAI) where they will work with MSA Instructor, John Kelly Shelburne and SFAI Instructor, Christopher Coppola to produce short films centered on Jackson, Mississippi and San Francisco, California. Christopher Coppola’s inspiration for the project comes in part from his Uncle, Director Francis Ford Coppola, whom he states taught him, “The job and purpose of cinema is to convince people that the world they live in is not the only one available to them.” SFAI students will be traveling to Mississippi and MSA students will be traveling to San Francisco to work on this project! It will be a class students receive credit for and it is also open to other disciplines. Jonathan Sharp, Broadway performer and dance instructor at Idyllwild School of the Arts will be doing a Guest Residency at MSA where he will work with our Dance department and also students from our Vocal and Theatre departments that are interested in Broadway and Musical Theatre. His Residency will culminate with a Musical Theatre Review highlighting performances by MSA students! In addition to MSA students consistently winning awards for their work on the state, regional and national levels, the school holds the #2 highest ACT average in the state and the college scholarship opportunities for graduating Seniors are amazing! For additional information and the application, visit our website at www.msabrookhaven.org email, admissions@msabrookhaven.org or call 601-823-1300.

The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP) and Magnolia Bar Association will host a free virtual expungement workshop on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 to assist individuals with their felony and misdemeanor expungement matters. The workshop begins at 12:00 p.m. with presentations to discuss the following: expungement laws in Mississippi; proper protocol when pulled over by police; and voting rights for ex-offenders. Participants will also find out if their charges are eligible for an expungement. If eligible, participants will be contacted to receive legal court documents prepared by licensed Mississippi attorneys and/or legal advice on their matter. Participants can join the workshop by phone: 1 (312) 626-6799 Access Code: 601 960 9577 or online at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6019609577. Pre-registration is encouraged. Interested participants should pre-register at http://www.mvlp.org/clinics/. Participants must have the following documents available to receive services:  Your driver’s license or state-issued ID For Misdemeanor Charges - Abstract of Court Record (obtained from municipal/justice court in the city where the charges were received) - Proof of Payment of Fine/Fees For Felony Charges - Sentencing Order or Dismissal Order (obtained from Circuit Court in the county where the charges were received) - Indictment - Discharge Order (if probation time served) - Proof of Payment of Fine/Fees The virtual expungement workshop is co-sponsored by MVLP, The Magnolia Bar Association, Office of the State Public Defender, the Mississippi Public Defenders’ Association, and Mississippi Association for Justice. The legal clinics are pro se clinics, meaning the individuals who attend and receive services from the attorneys are empowered to handle their legal matters in court on their own. The clinics are designed to assist self-represented litigants in preparing to go to court. MVLP has helped nearly 400 litigants a year through the pro se legal clinics. In 2020, MVLP served approximately 700 Mississippi residents through referrals, direct representation, advice, and legal clinics. For more information on MVLP or the legal clinics, please contact 601-882-5001 or visit www.mvlp.org. About MVLP The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP) is a 501(c) (3) legal nonprofit entity that was formed as a collaboration between the Mississippi Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation to provide free legal services to low-income residents of Mississippi, for nearly forty years. Founded on the belief that everyone should have access to courts, MVLP’s early efforts of reaching those in need were accomplished exclusively through directly representing clients. MVLP currently assists clients with civil legal matters, primarily in the following areas: uncontested divorces, emancipations, simple wills, power of attorney, advance healthcare directives, adoptions, guardianships, name changes, birth certificate corrections, conservatorships, and expungement matters.

Hinds Community College is offering a Teacher Academy aimed at helping K-12 Mississippi teachers earn needed professional development courses, known as CEUs, to maintain their state licenses. The three online courses begin on June 1 and end on July 23. There is no deadline to register, as long as the course is finished by July 23. The classes, offered through a partnership between academic instruction and workforce programs at Hinds Community College, are about 10 hours long and are self-paced. The three courses are: Canvas Course Design Bootcamp Classroom Management for the Modern Educator Understanding Classroom Diversity and Creating a Sense of Belonging. Teachers can enroll through the Hinds Community College Aquila catalog: https://hindscc.catalog.instructure.com/browse/workforce Summer 2021 offerings are open to Mississippi residents, who are eligible for a Non-Credit Student Grant valued at $60 for these Hinds Teacher Academy offerings. Each course is worth 1.0 CEUs. All the courses are taught by a credentialed Hinds instructor with master’s or doctorate degrees. “These are experts in their fields. They are not just able to contribute to the credit side of the house but now they’re jumping outside their box and contributing to workforce. It’s our job to teach, whether it’s for credit or not for credit,” said Hinds Community College Vice President Dr. Keri Cole. The courses were designed with the input of Hinds instructors and the type of courses they say are needed. “It's really what our teachers are saying they need now. The way we’re teaching has changed so much, not just in the past few years but really in the past year, because of the pandemic,” Cole said. “I think that this is the perfect response to what a community college is here for — to serve our community.” Plans are to offer the courses again in the fall and to begin to build a catalogue of additional courses, Cole said. With six campuses in central Mississippi, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills. Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession. Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi. Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC..

Wesson Garden Club has recognized the April landscaping efforts of Margie F. Smith at 6032 Highway 51, Christopher and Skylar James at 2018 East Railroad Street, Boswell Wesson Geriatric Group Home at 1058 East Railroad Street, Phillip and Lea Ann Knight at 7071 Highway 51 North and Sharon Langley at 1006 West Street in rural residential, city residential, organizational, spring design and spring special award categories. The awards, based on maintenance principles and elements of landscape design, seek to encourage ongoing beautification and cleanliness of the Wesson area and cultivate a citizenry that values and protects natural resources and assumes responsibility for enhancing the environment. The Garden Club's Yard of the Month awards honor properties during the spring, summer and fall.