Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College celebrated its 2018 Homecoming on Friday, October 26, and Saturday, October 27.

The two-day celebration included a dinner and awards ceremony for the Athletic and Alumni Hall of Fame, Sam Owen, Spirit of Gulf Coast and Bulldog Hall of Honor honorees on Friday night and a cheerleader reunion at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi.  The annual Clem Dellenger Golf Tournament was held at Hickory Hills Country Club in Gautier on Friday morning.

On Saturday, the celebration was at its peak with a full day of activities on the college’s Perkinston Campus.  The day included a pep rally, alumni art show, commemorative service at Gregory War Memorial Chapel, cookout, special archives exhibit in Harrison Hall, historical marker tour, and pre-game and halftime activities at A.L. May Memorial Stadium.

“Homecoming places a spotlight on our alumni – from those being honored in the Athletic and Alumni Hall of Fame to those who visit and enjoy our annual reunions,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president. “It is also an opportunity to see our current students in action as the Bulldog football team, cheerleaders, Band of Gold, Perkettes and Homecoming courts from each campus participate in Homecoming Day events.  Most importantly, it is a time when our MGCCC family –alumni, students and employees– can visit with each other and be reminded what an incredible institution we have and what a positive impact it makes in our communities.”

The 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame honorees are Carroll “Butch” Raley, baseball; Robert Earl Elam, football; Richard Huff, football; Phillip Hickam, golf; and Clifford “Sonny” Brown, basketball.

The 2018 Bulldog Hall of Honor honoree is Katherine Tarczanin Blessey.

The 2018 Spirit of Gulf Coast recipient is Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association.

The 2018 Alumni Hall of Fame honorees are Steven Butler, Jackson County Campus; Carla Todd Voda, Jefferson Davis Campus; and Dan Batson, Perkinston Campus.

The Sam Owen Award recipient is Sam LaRosa Jr.

During the halftime show, the maids and queens for each of the three main campuses were announced.

JACKSON COUNTY CAMPUS HOMECOMING COURT

Kim Lowery is the 2018 Jackson County Campus Homecoming queen. A native of Ocean Springs, she is a 2017 graduate of Ocean Springs High School.  She is the daughter of Glenn and Cindy Lowery.  Lowery is the treasurer for the Reflections Team and on the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Team and is a member of the Honors College, Student Government Association and Circle K International.  A nursing major, she plans to transfer to The University of Southern Mississippi to work toward her bachelor’s degree.

Reagan Morrow of Vancleave is a freshman maid from the Jackson County Campus and a 2018 graduate of Vancleave High School.  She is the daughter of Eugene and Jodie Morrow.  Morrow is a member of the Reflections Team, Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board and Circle K International.  A pre-dentistry major, she plans to transfer to The University of Mississippi after graduating from Gulf Coast.

Eriana Peyton of Gautier is a freshman maid from the Jackson County Campus and a 2018 graduate of Resurrection Catholic High School.  She is the daughter of Booker Terrell Rankins III and Erica Peyton.  She is a member of the Reflections Team and Student Government Association.  An elementary education major, Peyton plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from Gulf Coast.

Aaliyah Dock of Hurley is a sophomore maid from the Jackson County Campus and a 2017 graduate of East Central High School.  She is the daughter of Edward and Karen Dock.  She is historian for both the Reflections Team and Early Childhood Organization, vice president of the Campus Activities Board, Circle K International and a member of the Student Government Association.  An early childhood education major, Dock hopes to eventually work at Gulf Coast.

Niegireia Reddix of Vancleave is a sophomore maid from the Jackson County Campus and a 2017 graduate of Vancleave High School.  She is the daughter of Tierra Reddix.  She is on the Vice President’s List.  A pre-practical nursing major, she plans to transfer to the University of South Alabama and pursue her dreams of being a traveling nurse. 

JEFFERSON DAVIS CAMPUS HOMECOMING COURT

Cecilia Tang is the 2018 Jefferson Davis Campus Homecoming queen. A native of Hattiesburg, she is a 2017 graduate of Biloxi High School.  She is the daughter of Svong and Duyen Tang. Tang is a psychology major and plans to continue her education at The University of Mississippi to become a psychiatrist. She is a member of the Reflections Team and is the Phi Theta Kappa vice president of Fellowship.

Hannah Kennedy of Biloxi is a freshman maid from the Jefferson Davis Campus and a 2018 graduate of Biloxi High School.  She is the daughter of Charles and Michelle Kennedy. A pre-med major, she plans to continue her education at The University of Southern Mississippi to become an OB-GYN. She is a member of the Reflections Team, Phi Theta Kappa and Honors College and is freshman class president of the Student Government Association.

Cindy Nguyen of D’Iberville is a freshman maid from the Jefferson Davis Campus and a 2016 graduate of D’Iberville High School.  She is the daughter of James Nguyen and Van Tran. An animal sciences major, she hopes to travel to work with and rehabilitate exotic and endangered animals. She is a member of the Campus Activities Board.

Hannah Chouinard of Gulfport is a sophomore maid from the Jefferson Davis Campus.  The daughter of Paul and Natalie Chouinard, she currently attends both Gulfport High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as a Collegiate Academy student. She will graduate from Gulfport High School and Gulf Coast in May 2019. She is a pharmaceutical sciences major and plans to attend The University of Mississippi to pursue a career as a pharmacist. She is a member of the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board and Phi Theta Kappa.

Taylor Wilkerson of Lucedale is a sophomore maid from the Jefferson Davis Campus and a 2017 graduate of George County High School.  She is the daughter of Darrell Wilkerson. A Baking and Pastry Arts major at Gulf Coast, Wilkerson plans to own a bakery in the future, employing people with disabilities to work by her side. She is a member of the Reflections Team and was a 2017 freshman Homecoming maid.

PERKINSTON CAMPUS HOMECOMING COURT

Zoie Lepine is the 2018 Perkinston Campus Homecoming Queen. A native of Gautier, she is a 2017 graduate of Resurrection Catholic High School. She is the daughter of Allen and Michele Lepine.  A member of the Perkettes, she is also active in both Phi Theta Kappa and the Honors Program. Lepine is a nursing major and plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from Gulf Coast. 

Alanna Lee of Ocean Springs is a freshman on the Perkinston Campus and a 2018 graduate of Ocean Springs High School. She is the daughter of Greg and Joni Higuera.  A member of the Perkettes, Lee is majoring in marketing communications.

Angel Gavin of Hattiesburg is a freshman on the Perkinston Campus and a 2018 graduate of Stone High School. She is the daughter of Leon Gavin and Jaqueline Moore. She is a member of the Reflections Team. After graduating from Gulf Coast, Gavin plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Emily Edwards of Gulfport is a sophomore on the Perkinston Campus and a 2017 graduate of Gulfport High School. The daughter of Chad and Daniele Edwards, she is a member of the Perkettes, Student Government Association and the Wesley Foundation. Edwards plans to attend Mississippi State University after graduating from Gulf Coast.

Madison Butler of Harleston is a sophomore on the Perkinston Campus and a 2017 graduate of East Central High School. She is the daughter of David and Elizabeth Butler. Butler is a member of the Student Government Association, Dog Pound and Honors College and participates in work-study at the Enrollment Center. After graduating from Gulf Coast, she plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business.