PRCC celebrates homecoming

Submitted by jbraswell on October 31, 2016 – 8:33am

POPLARVILLE – Pearl River Community College celebrated homecoming Saturday, Oct. 29, with reunions, awards, beautiful girls and a new men’s choir.
PRCC President Dr. William Lewis crowned Ellen Hall of Purvis as queen after she and her court of eight maids were presented to the crowd at halftime.
The court includes sophomore maids Keelie Clark of Franklinton, La., and Cassady Compretta of Bay St. Louis, Forrest County Center sophomore maid Alexis Pickens of Hattiesburg, Hancock Center maid Kamri Jones of Bay St. Louis, freshman maids Brittany Bright of Laurel, Takeaslyn Gardner of Prentiss, Joyce Lumpkin of Carriere and Forrest County Center freshman maid Hailey Holland of Columbia.
The day started with the Sports Hall of Fame induction of six outstanding athletes – PRCC’s all-time leading soccer scorer Breanna Fortenberry of Waveland, Tim Hatten of Crestview, Fla., and Jimmy Oliver of Columbia, coach and quarterback respectively of the 2006 national championship football team; All-American pitcher Kyle Lindsey of Purvis, football All-American Lou Martensen of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Coby Scarborough of Lake Ozark, Mo., PRCC’s top golfer.
John Pigott of Picayune, insurance agent and member of the Mississippi Community College Board, received the Alumnus of the Year Award at the annual luncheon.
Distinguished Service Awards went to John Clearman of Sumrall and the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District. Clearman and SMPDD have both provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to PRCC students.
Three football players were recognized as recipients of special scholarships – quarterback D.J. Gillins of Jacksonville, Fla., Coach John Russell Memorial Scholarship; lineman Josh Neumann of Carriere, Coach Dobie Holden Memorial Scholarship; and line backer David Salser of Carriere, Coach Keith Daniels Memorial Scholarship.
Approximately 30 members of the Classes of 1955-57 reunited at the luncheon and under a reunion tent at Dobie Holden Stadium. A dozen members of the 1956 state championship football team were recognized on the field during pre-game ceremonies.
The pre-game events included singing of the national anthem by the new PRCC Men’s Choir, including singers in football, band and cheerleader uniforms.
Future Wildcats attended the Lil Wildcat Cheer Clinic during the morning and joined the cheerleaders at the game.
While alumni were attending the luncheon, little girls enjoyed a Pre-coronation Tea Party with the homecoming court at the Brownstone Center and the community attended the Homecoming Carnival near the stadium.
The Spirit of the River marching band, including the color guard and String of Pearls, wrapped up its football season with the final performance of its show featuring the music of Ray Charles.


Pearl River Community College President Dr. William Lewis, right, congratulates Ellen Hall of Purvis seconds after crowning her PRCC homecoming queen Saturday, Oct. 29. She is escorted by her father, Rett Hall of Purvis.
PRCC Public Relations photo

Ellen Hall of Purvis, center, was crowned Pearl River Community College homecoming queen Saturday, Oct. 29, in Poplarville. Her court includes, from left, freshman maid Joyce Lumpkin of Carriere, Forrest County Center freshman maid Hailey Holland of Columbia, freshman maid Takeaslyn Gardner of Prentiss, sophomore maids Cassady Compretta of Bay St. Louis and Keeli Clark of Franklinton, La., Forrest County Center sophomore maid Alexis Pickens of Hattiesburg, freshman maid Brittany Bright of Laurel and Hancock Center maid Kamri Jones of Bay St. Louis.
PRCC Public Relations photo


Homecoming honorees were presented on the field before the Oct. 29 Pearl River Community College football game against Co-Lin. They are, from left, Sports Hall of Fame inductees soccer standout Breeana Fortenberry, 2006 national football championship head coach Tim Hatten, All-American pitcher Kyle Lindsey, football All-American Lou Martensen, 2006 national championship quarterback Jimmy Oliver, All-Region golfer Coby Scarborough, Distinguished Service Award recipients John Clearman and Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District represented by Angie Kothman and Alumnus of the Year John Pigott.

The newly-formed PRCC Men’s Choir performed the national anthem at the Pearl River Community College homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.