Hometown Clinton - Spring 2017

Volume 4, Issue 1
FEB/MAR/APR 2017
I Had Always Been A Writer
____________________________________
Clinton HS Football Champions
____________________________________
Clintonians Flock to MC
_______________________________
The Pefect Fit

McRaven Rd.
Clinton
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© 2016 CFA Properties, Inc. All trademarks shown are the property of their respective owners. Aug. ’16 • CB-122

PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Tahya A. Dobbs
FEB/MAR/APR 2017
©2017 JEA
THE BEST OF JEA
01 COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS
02 LASIK
03 LASER CATARACT SURGERY
04 CONTACT LENS EXAMS
05 DESIGNER FRAMES AND SUNGLASSES
SEE YOUR BEST WITH JEA
CFO
Kevin W. Dobbs
CONSULTING EDITOR
Mary Ann Kirby
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Dacia Durr Amis
Kati Gaines
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Camille Anding
Elizabeth Bennett
Andy Kanengiser
Mary Ann Kirby
John Lowe
Susan Marquez
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Othel Anding
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Lee Ann Culp
Halle Johnson
LAYOUT DESIGN
Todd Malone • Tall Guy Graphics
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
AAlisha Floyd
Brenda McCall
Leah Mitchener
• • •
This issue celebrates the Clinton High School 6A Football
Champions! What a feat—not to mention a title that’s logged
into history. Congratulations on a distinction well deserved.
We certainly enjoyed attending the Clinton Chamber of
Commerce Annual Banquet. Many businesses were represented
and congratulated on their success in the community and we
were delighted to see so many familiar faces.
Clinton is also home to an incredibly talented author. She
shares with us what inspires her as she journeys along her
publishing career and continues creating characters and worlds
that challenge convention.
This is a great issue to kick off the beginning of 2017. We
continue to be indebted to our esteemed advertisers who help
make Hometown Clinton a reality. Please support them often
and join us as we highlight our city and the people that make it
the place we call home.
You are loved
and welcome!
We will save a
seat for you. . .
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
100 Mt. Salus Drive Clinton, Mississippi 39056
601.924.6671 fumcclinton.org
www.facebook.com/
Hometown-Clinton-Magazine
For subscription information
visit www.htmags.com
Contact us at info@HTMags.com
601.706.4059
26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F
Brandon MS 39042
• • •
Hometown Clinton is published by
Hometown Magazines.
All rights reserved.
No portion of Hometown Clinton
may be reproduced without written
permission from the publisher.
The management of Hometown Clinton
is not responsible for opinions expressed
by its writers or editors.
All communications sent to our
editorial staff are subject to publication
and the unrestricted right to be refused,
or to be edited and/or editorially
commented on.
All advertisements are subject
to approval by the publisher.
The production of Hometown Clinton
is funded by advertising.
Pictured on cover: Cam Akers: Clinton High School Football - by Halle Johnson, Student Photographer
In this issue I Had Always Been A Writer . . . . . 8
Clintonians Flock to MC 12
Clinton High School Football . . . . 14
The Perfect Fit . . . . . . . . 30
MS Burn Foundation . . . . . . . .38
Clinton's Nature Oasis . . 42
The Way We Were. 64
4 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 5

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“I Had Always
Been a Writer —
I Just Didn’t Know It”
Mississippi has its share of respected authors who are either from
here or call our state home. Chances are you know their names:
Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, John Grisham, and Greg Iles, for
example. Another writer you might be hearing more about soon is
Clinton resident Jennifer Mulvihill.
Mulvihill’s hometown is San Diego, California. She and her
husband Matt came to Mississippi in 1998. They have two children,
Christina and Amanda. Her day job is at a law firm, but at night,
lunchtimes and whenever Mulvihill can get at her keyboard, she is
hard at work creating characters and worlds.
JOHNNY LOWE
She said she found an entry by her mother in an old personal
calendar that said: “Jenny made up her first poem today.”
She was two.
“I had always been a writer — I just didn’t know it,” said
Mulvihill. “I have a suitcase full of poetry and songs and short stories
that I just dabbled with forever.”
When did Mulvihill create her first story? She said she found an
entry by her mother in an old personal calendar that said: “Jenny
made up her first poem today.”
She was two.
As a child, Mulvihill had formidable aspirations: actress,
modeling, the theatre. And of course, rock star: “I was in a garage
band.” But she was always writing, though she never considered that
8 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 9

as a profession.
So when did Mulvihill finally realize she might actually be an
author?
It was when she began work on what became her first novel, The
Lost Daughter of Easa. “I had a really weird dream about being chased
through the woods by a giant spider,” Mulvihill recalled. “It was really
scary. And I thought, oh, that was kind of a really weird dream. What
does that mean? I’m all about dreams, and they usually mean
something symbolically, subconsciously. And so I was trying to figure
it out, and all of a sudden, all of these characters started popping up,
and I was like, what’s going on here? I told my husband about it, and I
told my kids about it, and they said, ‘Oh, you should write that —
that’s a cool story!’”
Mulvihill shopped it around, and eventually Allan Gilbreath of
Dark Oak Press agreed to publish it. The book’s first draft, she noted,
took about two years to complete. She writes a bit faster now, she says,
because now she “knows how to do it, and I have a contract, too!”
Mulvihill is currently working on the fourth novel in her
steampunk Steel Roots series, published by Seventh Star Press.
Steampunk, for the uninitiated, according to Merriam-Webster
Unabridged, is “science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies
dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology.” The
series’ first three titles are The Boxcar Baby, Crossings, and Rails West.
The Steel Roots series is about a young girl, AB’Gale, who was
found in a boxcar as a baby by her adoptive father, who works for the
railroad. She’s lived on a farm ever since, happy in her own little world.
“I had a really weird dream about being chased through
the woods by a giant spider,” Mulvihill recalled. “It
was really scary. And I thought, oh, that was kind
of a really weird dream. What does that mean?
But one day her father disappears.
Her grandmother is thrown into an oldies home, and AB’Gale is
taken to a workhouse. She escapes and journeys across the country by
train to try and find her father. In the process, AB’Gale soon finds
out her world is not what she thought it was.
“The story is historical but apocalyptic,” said Mulvihill.
She carries a small notebook to write down story ideas when they
pop into her head. “I have a good memory also,” she said. “I dreamsequence,
daydream-sequence the story, so I mull it over in my head a
lot before it goes down on paper.” Her office also provides inspiration:
a roomful of dragons, a Harry Potter section, and a large poster of the
map of Narnia.
“I’m such a geek,” said Mulvihill.
Mulvihill likes to read fantasy and science fiction, and when she
was 11 or 12, she discovered the L. Frank Baum Oz books. Later she
devoured Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars series, and
many of Robert Heinlein’s novels. “When I was in junior high I read
The Hobbit,” Mulvihill recalled, “which turned me on to The Lord of the
Rings.”
One current writer she’s reading is Terry Brooks, author of the
Shannara book series. “I discovered him in my attic,” said Mulvihill.
“When we moved into this house in Clinton, the last people had left a
bunch of stuff, including boxes of books,” which included some of
Brook’s novels. “What was really cool,” she continued, “is I got to
meet Terry Brooks at a convention, and when I told him the story, he
said, ‘Is that where I’ve been?’”
If you’ve ever been to a science fiction or comic’s convention, you
will almost always find writers, and Mulvihill thoroughly enjoys the
conventions. “It’s fun to meet like-minded people,” she said, and she
attends the various gatherings as often as possible. An upcoming con
appearance for Mulvihill will be the Chattacon convention in
Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 20-22, 2017, where she will be a
“Special Guest.” “They’re actually paying for my room and
everything,” said Mulvihill. “I’m excited about this one.”
She recalled when her first novel, The Lost Daughter of Easa, was
published. “That was the most incredible feeling,” said Mulvihill.
“Not as good as having children, but almost. There was this book, I
held it in my hand — oh my gosh, I did this.”
Mulvihill is also a member of the Clinton Ink-Slingers, a local
writers group that meets monthly at the Clinton Visitor Center on
Pinehaven Road. She cannot always attend, however, as the
conventions and conferences keep her busy. Mulvihill recently turned
in her manuscript for the sequel to Easa, and now that that one’s at the
publisher, she continues work on other projects, including short stories
and editing short story anthologies. zx
You can find Jennifer Mulvihill’s books at barnesandnoble.com,
booksamillion.com, and her own website, jlmulvihill.com.
10 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 11

Clintonians Flock to
Mississippi College
in the New Year
ANDY KANENGISER
C
lintonians are discovering that
Mississippi College remains
an awesome deal in their
hometown.
Home cooking, parents and siblings
are just a few miles away. The laundry,
family pets and the comfort of familiar
places are also located in the same nearby
zip code.
Why exit the progressive city of
26,000 people in Central Mississippi
for the next four or five years? America’s
second oldest Baptist college offers a
fantastic education, a diverse student
body and place to build one’s faith. And
the price is pretty affordable.
As Mississippi College celebrates its
191st anniversary, Clinton High senior
Anna Antrim cannot wait to enroll
in August 2017. “Mississippi College
just feels like home to me, and it’s
not just because it’s in my hometown.
The beautiful campus, Olde Towne
atmosphere, the people, the stellar premed
program, the emphasis on finding
faith,” Anna points out. “I’m ready to call
this city my home for at least four more
years – hopefully longer.”
Her great-grandparents,
grandparents and parents are all proud
Mississippi College graduates. Anna is
overjoyed to become a 4th generation
wearing the blue and gold.
As 2017 begins, admissions staffer
Tori Langworthy loves hearing stories of
prospective students in Clinton desiring
to enroll at Mississippi College. The
22-year-old Clinton High graduate
is recruiting more students from her
hometown in Hinds County to become
MC Choctaws.
President Lee Royce will join faculty
and staff tossing out the welcome mat
to hundreds of high school students
at Spring Preview Day on March 25.
It’s an opportunity for visitors to meet
school leaders, attend a class, cheer the
Choctaws at a baseball game with West
Georgia, and tour the cadaver lab. But
really, every day, the invitation is out there
for students in Clinton or other cities to
size up an MC education.
As former Clinton High student
body president, Tori stays a little more
focused on bringing Clinton Arrows and
other Clinton students to campus. It
wasn’t too long ago that Tori was in their
shoes and evaluating college choices.
“Growing up in Clinton, Mississippi,
MC wasn’t even an option for me. I saw
MC from Springridge Road and that was
enough,” Langworthy said. That changed
in a hurry when she visited the Quad
and met with current MC students.
“Mississippi College is a community in
and of itself. After graduating, I really
began to appreciate the life that MC
brings to Clinton.”
Tori works her admissions post in the
basement of Nelson Hall, while seeking
a master’s on the Clinton campus in
intercollegiate athletic administration.
Her advice to Clintonians thinking of
college is pretty simple: Visit the Clinton
campus, attend a class, drink coffee in the
Commons, and learn about the value of
scores of student organizations. “It will
change your perspective and open your
eyes!”
Whether it’s the bass team, archery,
or the equestrian squad, MC tribes,
clubs, Christian ministries and NCAA
Division II sports, there’s something for
everybody.
Other Clinton High students needed
little convincing to join the Mississippi
College family.
Emily Raburn felt immediately at
home the moment she arrived during
the university’s Preview Day. “I felt
such a strong sense of community and
intentionality among every staff member
and student I met,” adds Emily, a CHS
senior. “And not only that, I also felt
welcomed into their community as well.”
The Christian university’s highachieving,
faith-based academic
programs, combined with many
Anna Antrim
Tori Langworthy
scholarships available, made Mississippi
College her clear number one choice. “I
couldn’t be more excited to become an
MC Choctaw in the fall.”
Others like Daniel Crabb, an MC
sophomore from Clinton, came from
a different perspective the past few
years. Daniel was homeschooled, but
the Mississippian finds he’s made a nice
home for himself at Mississippi College. zx
For more details on Mississippi College’s
Spring 2017 Preview Day on March 25, contact
the MC admissions office at 601-925-3800.
12 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 13

Clinton High School
Football Champions -
Teamwork, Strategy, and Balance
SUSAN MARQUEZ
With high expectations going into the 2016 football season,
members of the Clinton Arrows football team never lost their focus,
game in and game out. “We all had high expectations going into this
season,” said Judd Boswell, head football coach at Clinton High School.
“We knew we had a good team and that was something we all embraced
from the very beginning as both a staff and a team. This was a very
unique team. They had to stay focused week to week, despite lots of
outside distractions, including coaches from major universities coming in
and news media reports.”
That focus paid off when Clinton High School won the MHSAA
6A State Championship on Friday, December 2. Clinton made it
through the playoffs to challenge Pearl High School in the final
championship game in the Davis Wade Stadium on the campus of
Mississippi State University in Starkville. Clinton won the game 49 to
35.
“We’re all still on a high from not just that game, but the whole
season,” said Dr. J. Clay Norton, Clinton High School’s athletic director.
“The mood at the school is still elated. There’s a definite wave of
"We knew we had a
good team and that
was something we all
embraced from the
very beginning as both
a staff and a team."
Judd Boswell,
head football coach at
Clinton High School
Hometown Clinton • 15

“We were blessed
to have this group
of guys. They were
goal-driven and
laser-focused.
They wanted this
championship, the
first the school
has won.”
Judd Boswell, head football coach
at Clinton High School
16 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 17

“Cam is like the poster child for Clinton
football this year. He ignored all the
distractions and had a great season.”
Judd Boswell, head football coach at Clinton High School
excitement and we are still riding it! The community has been excited
right along with us, and that makes it even more fun. The school year
runs 2016 to 2017, so we are still in the same school year. We are this
school year’s state champions, and that’s a great feeling.”
Norton said that a win like this creates increased confidence in
the team members, “and it creates a marketability for the rest of the
sports going forward in the school year. So many of our players have an
overlap from football to other sports, including soccer, baseball,
basketball and track. But football is the biggest sport played at any
school. It’s the sport that kicks off the school year. It’s fun to see the
interaction with the players, the students, the parents and the
community. We had such support behind our team and our coaches,
and it has been a really good ride.”
Throughout the season, the players were still tasked with doing
well in school and balancing extracurricular activities along with
football. “School is always the main focus,” said Boswell. “There are so
many things that pull these kids in so many different directions, then
we had the added distraction of college coaches coming in to scout and
recruit, as well as intensive media coverage. That’s just a lot for a kid to
deal with, but our guys handled it all beautifully.”
Excellence seems to be what drives the Clinton team. “They are
hard workers, both on and off the field,” said Norton. “We encourage
scholar athletes at Clinton. For a team to be considered scholar
athletes, the team as a whole must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Of the 24
sports teams we have at Clinton, 15 to 18 of the sports hold those
grades year in and year out.” Norton said that 22 of the student
athletes at Clinton High have signed intent-to-play letters at the
college level.
Boswell said that high school football players have so much put on
them, especially in the South. “We were blessed to have this group of
guys. They were goal-driven and laser-focused. They wanted this
championship, the first the school has won.” Boswell explained that
the modern playoff era began in 1981.
While every team member was exemplary, there are a few that
stand out for one reason or another. “I have to mention Darius
Maberry,” Boswell said. “He’s a great kid from the country who
worked hard every day. He was always a leader on the field, and he
lifted others up every chance he got, and he worked hard to help us
attain this championship. Darius played running back, and he is a
great athlete. I’m proud to say that he earned a scholarship to the
University of Southern Mississippi where he’ll play for the Golden
Eagles next fall.”
Unique for the team this year was that Sidney Wells and Jordyn
Leonard played together for the first time in their four years on the
team. “One or the other of them has been out with an injury prior to
this season, so they never got to play together. They both played the
whole season injury-free.” Boswell said that Wells, an offensive
lineman, was a vocal leader for the team. “He didn’t say much, but
when he did speak, the team listened. Even when he was on the
injured list, he was always in the weight room and he showed up at
practice, encouraging his fellow teammates.” Leonard also played
offensive lineman. “Those two really did well together, and their
athleticism showed on and off the field.”
As for injuries overall, the team had no problems this year. “We
really had a good year with very few injuries,” said Boswell.
Ending the season on a high note by winning the state
championship was huge for Clinton, but the icing on the cake came
when Cameron Akers was voted Player of the Year at the U.S. Army
All-American Bowl in San Antonio on January 7 of this year. The
award is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding high school
senior football player. Akers played quarterback and led Clinton to the
state 6A title, despite being recruited exclusively as a running back.
“This was a great way to end our season,” said Boswell, who took
his family to San Antonio to see the game. “Cam is like the poster
child for Clinton football this year. He ignored all the distractions and
had a great season.” Akers graduated from Clinton in December and is
registered this semester at Florida State where he will play for the
Seminoles in the fall.
“No other sport teaches life lessons like football,” explained
Boswell. Through football, the Clinton players learned teamwork,
strategy, and work-life balance. “It’s been a pleasure for me to have
coached this team.” zx
18 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 19

601-926-1511
1009 Hampstead Blvd
Clinton, MS 39056
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
is celebrating
1917-
2017
100years.hindscc.edu
www.hindscc.edu
In compliance with the following: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education
and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Debra Mays-Jackson,
Vice President for Administrative Services, 34175 Hwy. 18, Utica, MS 39175, 601.885.7002. Dr. Tyrone Jackson, Associate Vice President for Student Services & Title IX Coordinator, Box 1100 Raymond Campus (Denton Hall 221), Raymond, MS 39154, 601.857.3232, titleIX@hindscc.edu
HI-ENERGY GAMES & SPORTS GRILLE
www.playtimeentertainmentms.com
playtimems
playtimeentertainment16
We believe that marketing & selling homes is done
“one story at a time.”
Our Story
The official start-up date for Godfrey & Ivy
Realty, Inc. was March 1, 2005. The partners in
this company come to you with over 40 years of
combined experience in the service industry. We
opened an independent company because we
believe that marketing and selling homes is done
“one story at a time.”
Danny Ivy
601-953-2644
Karen Godfrey
601-672-0829
Debbie Ivy
601-927-3159
Brittany McHann
601-506-5686
Brad McHann
601-259-0269
We believe the key to success for anyone is that
they always think more highly of others than
themselves. This includes not only our clients,
but the team we work with at Godfrey & Ivy Realty,
Inc. We believe that serving others must include
respect, integrity and commitment.
Mark McNeece
601-214-1949
Jena McNeece
601-613-2979
Lonnie Rushing
601-906-2222
Christine Whitton
601-278-4230
Cindy Roberson
601-415-5880
Lee Irwin
601-259-5544
Sheri Shramek
601-613-4699
Bracey Godfrey
601-832-3971
Kevin Upchurch
601-750-8328
Dena Thornburg
601-695-9500
Our Website: www.godfreyandivy.com
Serving Clients in Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Warren Counties & Vicksburg/Eagle Lake
20 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 21

Clinton Chamber of Commerce
2017 Annual Celebration • January 12 • Anderson Hall

Mary Ann Kirby
LOOKINGFOR
THE
STORY
Everyone has a story, don’t they? I often
make up peoples’ stories in my mind so that I
can fill in the gaps created from not knowing
details—and I’m not entirely sure why I do
it. I guess I’m just an observer of life. And
because I like to write stories, I’m always on
the hunt for one.
My husband and I have even made a
game of it. We’ll see a couple that we don’t
know at a restaurant and spend the next
thirty minutes creating their fictitious story.
It has made for some hilarious conversations
between the two of us as there are no limits
to the depth of detail that make this couple
extraordinary.
On Sundays, when people are asked
to come to the front of our church during
invitational, I often cry at their “stories”—
even though I don’t know what those are.
I sometimes wonder if they’re broken and
hurting and I all of a sudden ache for them
and the burdens that they may carry.
I imagine the single mom, raising a
family alone and trying to make ends meet.
Or the one that dreamed of children but
struggled with infertility. I imagine the man
that has recently lost his job and his insurance
benefits only to have just gotten a bad report
from the doctor. And all this is completely in
my imagination, mind you. I can’t hear them
when they speak to the pastors at the front of
the church—but I can see them—and for some
reason I’m compelled to give them a story.
Maybe I’m crazy. Or maybe it’s how I make
strangers more relatable. I have an intuitive
desire to connect.
Several years ago we had just moved
into a new neighborhood with super-strict
covenants. Our first Christmas season in our
new home had come and gone and Mardi
Gras and Valentine’s Day decorations had
begun to pop-up everywhere. Every day I
would ride by this one house that still had
Christmas lights hanging from their eaves.
And every day I would think, “Surely they’ll
take those down soon.”
I’m certain there were guidelines
somewhere that addressed the timely
removal of neighborhood Christmas
decorations. If not, there needed to be.
Another week would pass and the lights
still remained. I had become indignant
that they weren’t following the rules (what
rules?). I mentally drafted the letter that
would be sent to the homeowners association
demanding that their lights be removed.
When had I become Nosey-Nellie, the
judgmental neighbor that made everyone else’s
business her business? Why did I even care?
Aren’t we all guilty of doing this in some
form or fashion—making other people’s
issues our business? Don’t we often judge
people’s choices without fully understating
their reasons for making them?
The adored actress and comedian Betty
White was once quoted as saying, “I don’t
know how people get so anti-something.
Mind your own business, take care of your
own affairs, and don’t worry about other
people so much.” She’s 94-years old. I wonder
how long it took her to figure that out.
So on the 21 st of February of the very
first year in our new covenant-protected
neighborhood, 58 days after Christmas and
7 days after Valentine’s Day, the offending
home was lit up like I had never seen. I’m
certain it could be seen from space. Their
Christmas tree stood defiantly in the living
room window and the icicle lights that
hung from the eaves blinked as if to signal
their rebelliousness to the entire world. I
absolutely could not believe my eyes. Their
blatant disregard of holiday decorating code
was mind-boggling.
As I slowed my car and rounded the
corner to get a better view, a banner that
read, “Welcome Home Ryan” hung across the
garage doors right next to a flag bearing the
United States Marine Corps emblem. And then
it made sense. Their son was returning home
and they had “saved” Christmas just for him.
I burst into tears. First of all, I felt
grateful. My sense of patriotism immediately
outweighed my sense of incredulousness.
How thankful they must have been to have
him home and in the safety of their loving
arms. But then I felt embarrassed. They
don’t make enough lights to express the joy
my husband and I would feel had our own
son been returning home. To this day I am
changed as a result of that experience.
When you look at a person, any person,
remember that they have a story. Everyone
has gone through something that’s changed
them. Life is hard and everyone has ups and
downs—and fears and pain. Give grace, love
and support to those around you who may
have struggles you don’t see. Our opinions
don’t matter. But how we treat people, does.
I “imagine” Ryan and his family to have
had the most extraordinary Christmas-in-
February that ever was. And now, when
I see something that doesn’t necessarily
make sense to me, I try not to criticize it but
rather look for the story. After all, when you
actually realize there’s something you don’t
understand, then you’re generally on the
right path to understanding all kinds
of things.
26 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 27

NEW YEAR
NEW LOCATION
– ADveRTISeR SPOTLIGHT –
Taking Heart
Susan Marquez
NEW EQUIPMENT
The heart is a unique organ; fragile,
and monitored closely. It is always so
yet resilient, capable of getting stronger with
encouraging and amazing to me that we
We are ready to hit the new year with
the proper care. Dr. James L. Warnock Jr.
has seen it happen time and time again.
“There’s something so satisfying about
can do so much to help people these days.”
Warnock practices with Baptist Heart.
One of the things that is so encouraging to
greater efficiency coupled with the same high quality and
seeing someone who has been in dire straits
improve their health and overall quality
Warnock is that with proper treatment and
lifestyle changes, heart patients almost
customer service you have come to expect from Hederman
Brothers. Give us a call and let us help you with the latest
of life after experiencing heart failure,”
Warnock said. “We’ve seen people come
in who can barely breathe, with hearts
pumping at only 15%, and with fairly
inexpensive medications, expertise,
always end up feeling so much better.
“It’s not like cancer, where the treatment
may be effective, but may cause the patient
to feel bad. Any time someone’s heart gets
stronger and healthier, they’re going to
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coaching, and exercise, there has been a
major turnaround. It’s so gratifying to me,
Jackson to finish his internal medicine
feel better.”
As a cardiologist, Warnock practices
and amazing at the same time, especially
residency at UMMC. He then spent a year
what he preaches, eating healthy and
to see a heart that is so sick get so much
as chief resident before completing a
exercising regularly. “Our oldest daughter
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Warnock was born in Montgomery,
cardiac fellowship.
“I began having a real interest in cardiology
is in college at Sewanee, and she’s really
into healthy eating, and our youngest
Alabama, and raised in the Mill Creek
while in medical school,” Warnock said. “I
daughter avoids gluten.” Warnock also
subdivision near the Ross Barnett Reservoir.
had thought about doing primary care, but
enjoys running and backpacking. “I’ve
He finished high school in the third graduating
when I did the heart rotation in my residency,
always enjoyed hiking and camping, but
class at Northwest Rankin before majoring in
I really liked it.” Warnock said he enjoys all
haven’t backpacked since college. I’ve now
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biological engineering at Mississippi State.
After graduating college, Warnock attended
medical school at the University of Mississippi
Medical Center in Jackson then completed
an internship at the National Naval Medical
Center in Bethesda, Maryland. That led to a
three-year-stint as a general practitioner with
the United States Navy at the Naval Air
Station in Meridian before returning to
aspects of cardiology. “I enjoy being able to
say that. I really like the variety it provides.
But I guess if you had to pin me down, heart
failure and valve problems are the areas I
find most interesting. One results from lifestyle
choices, but can be turned around.
The other is a result of the way the heart
was formed, a problem that some people
have a tendency towards. It’s an issue that
must be caught before there’s a problem
done it three times recently, taking trips with
each of my daughters.” The entire family,
including Warnock’s wife, Shannon, their two
daughters and their son, took a family trip to
Glacier National Park last August. “My
youngest daughter gave me a map of the
United States with all of the national parks
on it. I’d love to visit each one before I leave
this earth.” ♥
14 • February 2017
Hometown Clinton • 29

The Perfect Fit
Camille Anding
As Dr. Muse entered the grand hall of the Clyde Muse
Center at Hinds Community College, his robust frame, fitted
with a black business suit, walked with the gait of a much
younger man. His gracious stature, firm handshake, and
embracing smile gave a first impression that assured me our
interview would be propitious for the one taking notes. I was
on target with my impression.
We sat down around a conference room in the building
named in his honor–an appropriate recognition for an
86-year-old educator who is president of Hinds Community
College with five campuses at six locations in five counties of
Mississippi. Thirty-nine years of leadership have designated
him the longest serving president at the college.
“I’ve never wanted to do anything else but teach and coach–
I even knew that when I was in high school,” he said as he
began retracing his career. “My daddy wanted me to be a
preacher because he hadn’t gotten a preacher out of his six
boys. Then he wanted me to marry a girl that could play the
piano so we could be a ministry team.”
Dr. Muse remembered a day while he was a principal at
Starkville High School when his dad “got off on preaching
again.” Clyde respectfully shared with his dad how preaching
wasn’t the only means of having a positive influence on others.
He explained how teachers can direct and impact students in
the classroom that can last a lifetime.
The senior Muse listened and was satisfied with his son’s
dedication and bent toward the classroom. “My dad never
brought it up again,” Dr. Muse said.
Originally from Hickory Flat in Benton County, Muse
graduated from Sebastopol High School, believing he had
the ability to do one thing well–play basketball. His principal
carried him to East Central Junior College and told the
president, “Dr. Todd, this is a good boy and he wants to go
to school.”
Young Muse explained to the president that he didn’t have
any tuition money but was hopeful for a job to pay his way.
The president said there was just one job...milking cows,
4am and 4pm, seven days a week.
The relieved and grateful freshman said, “Dr. Todd, that’s
nothing new to me; I’ve been doing that all my life.”
While he milked cows for tuition money, he, along with 85
other young men, signed up for the basketball team. Coach
Hometown Clinton • 31

Arno Vincent, Muse’s greatest life-mentor, began scrimmaging all the
hopefuls. At the end of each practice, he would have a chalkboard listing the
names of players he wanted to return.
The list got smaller and smaller, but Clyde’s name stayed. He got a uniform,
“but it wasn’t the same color as the others,” Muse said with laughter.
When their team played East Mississippi College, Clyde met Pap Presley on
that team and described him as the best player he ever saw. In the middle of the
third quarter, Coach Vincent asked Clyde if he thought he could stop Presley from
scoring, an assignment none of Clyde’s teammates had been able to accomplish.
Clyde said, “Just give me a chance. I’ve been watching him and have figured it
out–keep the ball out of his hands.” Clyde did just that and never sat on the
bench again. And, Coach gave him another uniform to match the starters.
The acclaimed educator paused at the end of his basketball story and stepped
into his teacher role. “I always teach my students to prepare yourself for the
opportunity that comes your way.”
He chose Delta State University after graduating from ECCC. His basketball
playing continued to improve, but his greatest joy came during his senior year when
he met his future bride, Vashti Underwood. Dr. Muse described her as a little
towheaded freshman beauty that captured his heart. On their second date she
informed him, “I’m gonna marry you.” Dr. Muse laughed as he shared his shock
over her prophetic statement and remembered his own private response,
“Good Lord, I’ve got to hang around and see what happens!”
After Muse graduated in March, he married his freshman sweetheart and
carried her with him to his first job at Canton High School. His first year’s
assignment was teaching five science classes and coaching high school girl’s
and boy’s track and basketball plus coaching junior high football. Muse said,
I had a fulltime job, but I didn’t know it. I was just having fun!”
His starting salary was $2,400 a year. Muse emphasized, “I knew I’d never
have a lot of money teaching and coaching, but I never was in the business of
education to make money.”
The newlyweds continued to work together, and Vashti earned her degree in
education, going on to teach all ages from kindergarten to college. She was known
for never giving up on her students. During one of the numerous opportunities
her gift of teaching afforded her, she was asked the difference between teaching
the very young and the college level. Her answer: “None. Just bigger bodies.”
32 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017

Vashti and Clyde teamed their education-centered lives
to touch and improve schools and colleges throughout our
state and beyond while raising their family of two daughters
and a son. On July 9, 2010, Vashti died in a car accident and
left a legacy of accomplishments few could match.
Dr. Muse recalls his doctors advising him to go back to
work after losing his soulmate. It was good advice, but
the void is still there. “How long were you married?”
I asked. “Fifty-eight years and two weeks. It seemed short,”
he replied.
A daily routine now is waking up at 4am, Monday through
Friday, exercise at the Wellness Center from five to six, back
home to eat breakfast and in the office by 7:15 or 7:30. An
average of three nights a week are taken for college-related
events. His seven grands and seven great-grandchildren get
“Granddaddy time,” too.
Dr. Muse has earned a wealth of experiences in his field
and recalled one eye-opening experience with his first 8th
grade science class. “I noticed that a few of the students
would walk to the pencil trimmer next to the door, trim
their pencils and just walk out the door. The other students
would laugh. I knew I was losing control of the class, so I
went to the Ag teacher and asked him to make me a paddle.
I slipped it in the drawer of my desk and waited for the first
student to do the pencil routine. He did, and I grabbed the
paddle and followed him out the door. I wore his rear end
out! When we walked back in the room, you could have
heard a pin drop.”
That led to Dr. Muse sharing a major issue in today’s
education. “We’ve lost discipline in the home, and it’s
transitioned to the classroom. When I was a principal, a
student didn’t want his mama to know he got a spanking
because it automatically meant he would get a second one at
home. Today, teachers don’t get support from the courts or
homes. We must have discipline that creates an atmosphere
that’s conducive to learning.”
The educator wizard’s advice to college students is basic:
Go to class, get up your lessons, behave yourself and take
advantage of the opportunities to grow and develop.
In his 65 years in education, he’s witnessed rapid changes,
and the electronic-age is more than he wants to engage.
He is learning to communicate through texting but knows
nothing about computers. He explains, “I don’t need one
as long as I have two people in my office.”
Renee Cotton, District Director of Marketing and
Community Relations at Hinds CC, listened to the
interview and interjected her respect and awe of Dr. Muse’s
wisdom and contribution to the education of the 30,000
students that attend Hinds and those that have graduated.
She also suggested we research his contribution as the T-Ball
inventor. Muse laughed and said, “I didn’t have enough
sense to have the game patented.”
In response to his masterful career, Dr. Muse asserted,
“It’s my great joy to help students be all they can be.” He
sees educators as having the wonderful opportunity to serve
others. “You know the Bible tells us that to be the best, be
a servant.”
I asked the gifted educator why or how he was able to
stay at Hinds for thirty-eight years. Had there been other
offers? He nodded yes and said, “I’ve had a few opportunities
to go other places. But let me tell you, Hinds fits me.
There’re a lot of people that need an education. They are
just like ole Muse was when he walked in that president’s
office and couldn’t afford an education. There’re still a lot
of people out there that without a community college, won’t
get an education. That keeps me going.”
On Christmas day, Dr. Muse celebrated his 87th birthday.
He said he often heard his mama tell him, “You’re the best
Christmas present I ever had.” She was right because an
inestimable number of lives have been touched by that very
special gift that’s been education’s “perfect fit.” n
Hometown Clinton • 35

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role models. Rachel Salassi, a 10th grader at Clinton High School, was
awarded this distinction by CEO of Merit Health Central, Jon Paul Croom.
Congratulations Rachel and a big “Thank You” to Merit Health for investing
in our leaders of the future.
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There’s Merit in the future.
36 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 37

“Each room will have a private bath,” says Fontaine.
“It’s really like a small hotel.” The home was the last
project designed by the late Michael Barranco, a muchloved
Jackson area architect. “This was a project he felt
strongly about,” says Fontaine. “One of the features of
the home will be a prayer garden, named in his honor.”
The slab for the home has been poured and
construction is underway, but fundraising efforts are still
going strong to raise the funds necessary to complete it.
At the same time, Fontaine continues to raise funds for
Susan Marquez
the many services provided to burn patients and their
families by the Mississippi Burn Foundation. “We try
No one expects it to happen, but when it does, a burn injury
can be devastating not only physically, but emotionally and
financially. The burn victim isn’t always the one affected, as
there must be caregivers to help the patient throughout the
healing and recovery period, causing a disruption in lives. The
good news is that there is help available through the Mississippi
Burn Foundation, help that many Rankin and Madison County
residents have benefitted from through the years.
Amanda Fontaine heads that organization as its executive
director, and she works tirelessly to make sure services are
provided to everyone in Mississippi who suffers from burns,
regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Fontaine says that 550
patients a month are seen on an outpatient basis at Central
Mississippi Medical Center Burn Center.
Having a burn center in Mississippi is something Fontaine
has fought for. “We had one in Greenville, but it closed while
Haley Barbour was in office as governor. He came up with a
task force which decided that Mississippi patients could go out
of state for treatment.” That decision resulted in more than a
few deaths in the state, as the protocol at that time was for an
emergency room with a burn patient to call the nearest burn
center in another state, and then wait for a return call to see if
they had room for the patient. If there was no room, the process
started again, with a call to another facility. “I thought there
had to be something we could do to provide services to
Mississippians,” sighs Fontaine. “I was getting calls from family
members during the night wondering where their loved ones
had been taken.”
She spoke with Dr. Fred Mullins at the Joseph M. Still (JMS)
Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, about what it would take to
open a burn center in Mississippi. “He was very receptive and
was instrumental in getting the outpatient center at Merit Health
Rankin started. Now the inpatient facility on Chadwick Drive
in Jackson, has 1200 to 1500 patients admitted throughout
the year.
In addition to their regular fundraising, the Mississippi
Burn Foundation is currently raising funds for the Mississippi
Burn Survivor Family Home, a 24-bedroom facility across from
the hospital on Chadwick Drive where families and caregivers
can stay free of charge while their loved one is hospitalized.
to assist families with whatever they may need,” she
says. That may include specialized supplies such as
pressure garments to help with recovery, expenses
associated with medications for treatment, gas cards,
hotels and meals when patients come to Jackson from
out of town for treatment and much more.
The Mississippi Burn Foundation was founded
in 1976 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
mission of offering financial assistance to burn victims
who need help to overcome hardships that a burn
injury presents. Tax-exempt donations and fundraising
efforts from civic organizations, corporations and
private citizens helps the Burn Foundation in their
mission to help burn victims meet the high costs
they incur during treatment and recovery. Firefighters,
healthcare professionals, and first-responders
throughout the state also help with the effort,
including participating in the popular Heroes
from the Heart calendar each year. To purchase
a calendar, or to donate to the Mississippi Burn
Foundation, contact director Amanda Fontaine at
afontaine@msburn.org.
38 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 39

clinton
Recipes
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation.
We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing
because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
AT WOODCHASE
601-925-0009
131 Woodchase Park Dr. ~ Clinton, MS ~ woodchase@heritageproperties.com
Need Not Be Built. For Marketing Purposes Only. All renderings, floor plans, features and photography are artist’s depictions only.
Features, pricing and dimensions shown herein are subject to change without notice. All dimensions are approximate. Developer
reserves the right to modify or adjust prices and/or specifications without notice. Special offers are subject to change without
notification. All move in discounts and specials are not for existing residents.
Dont miss our next issue
May 2017
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Hershey Bar Pie
• 20 large marshmallows
• 7 Hershey bars with almonds
• 1/3 cup milk
• 16 oz. Cool Whip
• 1 graham cracker crust
Combine marshmallows, Hershey bars (break
them into small pieces) and milk in a double boiler
or microwave safe dish. Heat on low until melted.
Stir until everything is combined. Add half of the
cool whip. Mix well and spoon into graham cracker
crust. Chill for several hours. Top with remaining
Cool Whip and shave a little chocolate over the top.
Salted Nut Squares
• 3 cups salted peanuts (no skins) divided
• 2 ½ Tbsp. butter
• 2 cups peanut butter chips
• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• Kosher or sea salt (optional)
Place 1 ½ cups peanuts in bottom of an ungreased
pan. Melt butter and peanut butter chips in a large
saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth. Remove
from heat. Stir in condensed milk and marshmallows.
Continue stirring until smooth. Pour mixture
over peanuts in pan. Sprinkle remaining 1 ½ cups
peanuts over top of mixture. Sprinkle lightly with
salt if desired. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Then cut into bars. Can be served chilled or at
room temperature.
Note: You may add another ½ cup of peanuts to bottom
and top layer and make in a 13 x 9 pan. The bars will
be a little thinner.
Three Ingredient
Peanut Butter Cup Fudge
• 24 Reese’s peanut butter cups (full size)
unwrapped and divided
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 3 cups milk chocolate chips
Line an 8 x 8 glass dish with foil so that the foil
extends over the sides of the pan. Lightly spray foil
with cooking spray. Line pan with 16 whole peanut
butter cups. Set aside. In a large microwave safe
bowl combine condensed milk and chocolate
chips. Microwave in 30-second increments (it will
probably take about 2 minutes) until melted and
smooth. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into
baking pan over the peanut butter cups and smooth
out evenly. Break the remaining peanut butter cups
into pieces and sprinkle on top. Press lightly into
the top. Allow the fudge to set out for about 1 hour
to reach room temperature then refrigerate for 2
to 3 hours. Once the fudge is solid, use the foil to
remove from the pan. Peel away the foil and cut the
fudge into squares.
Casserole Cookies
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup chopped dates
• Powdered sugar
In medium mixing bowl, beat eggs well and add
sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add nuts, coconut, and
dates. Stir well and pour into an ungreased 2-quart
casserole dish. Bake 30 minutes in 350-degree
oven. Remove and stir down with wooden spoon.
Let cool. Roll small spoonfuls in powdered sugar.
Shape into balls. Let cool completely before storing.
Oreo Balls
• 1 bag of Oreos
• 1 package cream cheese
• Dipping chocolate
Use a food processor to grind up Oreos into a fine
mixture. In a bowl mix Oreos and cream cheese
until completely blended. Roll mixture in balls
(any size works, but truffle size is best). Melt
dipping chocolate and dip balls. Set on wax paper
and refrigerate overnight.
Reminder: the chocolate shells do melt so keep cool.
White Chocolate -
Orange Macaroons
• 3 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 14 oz. package sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 cup white chocolate flavored morsels
• 1 tsp. orange zest
Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with
parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat egg whites
at high speed with a mixer until foamy. Gradually
add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently
stir in the coconut, white chocolate morsels, and
orange zest until combined. Spoon mixture by
heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking
sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges
are golden brown. Let cool on pans for 2 minutes.
Remove from pans and cool completely on
wire racks.
40 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 41

including a family of deer that can be spotted grazing near the
play forest.”
Lida Stark has been a volunteer at the Clinton Community
Nature Center for a long time and finds her volunteer work
very rewarding. “I like being right in the middle of peace,
serenity, calmness and beauty at the Nature Center. I am proud
to be a part of this outstanding program that is provided by
memberships of people who are trying to preserve our natural
world,” said Stark.
This spring, the Clinton Community Nature Center will
celebrate nature by hosting their 20th Annual Nature Day and
8th Annual Monarch Festival. A plethora of exciting activities
are planned for both of these events. Nature Day at the Clinton
Community Nature Center will be Saturday, April 1 from
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This is a free event which will include
booths filled with events for families. Nature Day includes a
plant sale, live animals, crafts, games, nature hikes, Kids Fun
Zone, live music, face painting and a monarch talk. According
to Kelly Robinson, the play forest will also be open for creative
play. The play forest includes a giant sandbox, bamboo shoots
to build a fort, log tunnels to climb over and through and an
Clinton’s
Nature Oasis
ELIZABETH BENNETT
The Clinton Community Nature Center is a hidden gem
tucked away in a neighborhood in Clinton. It is something you
might have to search for, but once you’ve discovered it, you
have found a treasure. The Clinton Community Nature Center
features miles of beautiful, shaded walking trails, play forest,
amphitheater, native plants, wildlife, and Price Hall. It is located
on 617 Dunton Road and is a wonderful place for all ages.
Kelly Robinson, Education Coordinator says, “The Clinton
Community Nature Center is a resource unlike any other
in Clinton and the surrounding area. It offers educational
opportunities for kids and adults through organized programs
like Nature Nuts, Nature Explorer and Evening Lectures as well
as education through exploration. The trails provide a peaceful
backdrop to observe and enjoy native trees, flowers and animals
42 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 43

interactive water feature. “The play forest is a fenced-in area of
the forest that is safe for kids to be completely hands on in their
exploration and play,” said Robinson. “The plant sale will include
a large variety of plants, including many native Mississippi
plants,” explained Lida Stark.
This year’s Monarch Festival will begin on Saturday, April 8
at 9:00 a.m. at Choctaw Trails on McRaven Road. The public
is invited to come be a part of rescuing monarch eggs by
searching for larvae where milkweed grows. “People take the
monarch eggs and larvae with them and put them in a cage at
home. They collect milkweed to feed them and a month later a
monarch butterfly emerges. Then, they can release them at the
end of the month,” said Bill Stark, biology professor at Mississippi
College and board member of the Clinton Community Nature
Center. “We have had as many as 400 people come out for this
event in the past,” said Stark.
Another exciting aspect of the Monarch Festival is the
artwork from local students. Every year, first graders from
Clinton Park Elementary School prepare illustrations of
monarch butterflies. The art is then matted and mounted at
the Clinton Community
Nature Center to be on
display during the week of
the Monarch Festival. On
Sunday, April 2, there will
be an art reception from
2:30 -4:00 p.m. at Price
Hall. There will be a judging
for the contest and one
illustration will be selected to
be the design for the annual
Clinton Community Nature Center t-shirt. “I enjoy observing
the individual artwork provided by local first graders and seeing
the shining faces of the students when they see their work on
display,” said Stark. “Nature day provides hands-on learning for
the children,” she added.
“I like being right in the middle
of peace, serenity, calmness and
beauty at the Nature Center".
“I have met some amazing people at the Nature Center.
Parents who bring their kids to play and participate are invested,
proactive and diligent in providing quality opportunities for the
next generation. Volunteers
who staff Price Hall are
engaged and committed to
helping. The board members
work tirelessly to secure
sponsorships, maintain
and improve facilities and
programs and are truly the
people that make things
happen at the Nature Center.
Working with such amazing
people is easily why I love the Nature Center so much,” said
Robinson.
The Clinton Community Nature Center staff and board
members invite you to come out this spring and enjoy nature at
Nature Day and the Monarch Festival! zx
44 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 45

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
CLINTON'S FINEST
John Alman
CLINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
Aaron Griffin
CLINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Why did you decide to be a
fireman?
I started out as a volunteer fireman
while in high school and realized then
that fire service was where my passion
was. I enjoy helping others.
How long have you been with the
Clinton Fire Department?
13 years.
Tell us about your family.
I have been married for almost 13
years to my high school sweetheart.
We have an eight-year old son, and a
four-year old daughter. My wife is a
registered nurse. Our children enjoy
playing sports and just being outside
enjoying nature. We enjoy spending
time together and taking family
vacations.
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
The nature of the calls that we run shift
after shift weigh heavy on us as
firemen. The toughest thing for me
personally is probably seeing the tragic
wrecks that we work and knowing that
someone lost their loved one.
Share some things you enjoy doing
in your spare time.
I work three jobs, so what little spare
time I get is spent with my family doing
things my kids enjoy, as well as hunting
and camping.
What are three things on your
bucket list?
Completion of the house I am
currently building, extended travel in
an RV with my family, and visit all the
national parks in the U.S.
Who is someone you admire
and why?
My dad and my uncle. My dad because
he is deaf but has not let that define
him and has worked hard to provide for
his family for nearly 50 years. And my
uncle because he has always been like
a second father to me and has also
worked alongside my dad doing
construction for nearly 50 years.
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
Still being a deputy chief at Clinton Fire
Department, living in my house that I
am currently building, and enjoying life
with my family.
If you could give one piece of
advice to a young person, what
would it be?
Work hard towards your goals in life,
save for the future, and enjoy
retirement.
What is a favorite childhood
memory?
Going camping with my family several
times throughout the years and
spending quality time together.
What is the biggest mistake you
think young people make today?
Giving up too easily, not working hard
for the things you want in life, and not
having God in their life.
What is your favorite thing about
the City of Clinton?
The citizens of Clinton always treat
us firemen as family and are always
complimentary about the job that
we do.
Why did you decide to become a
police officer?
I became a police officer because I
enjoy helping people in their time of
need and believe laws are put in
place to keep chaos from becoming
rampant. Being a police officer ties
both together.
How long have you been with the
Clinton Police Department?
Nine and a half years. In 2007, I
began in dispatch.
Tell us about your family.
I have a wife and two daughters. The
girls seem to enjoy every sport
imaginable. Both are in college
working to better themselves and
become independent.
What is the toughest thing you
have experienced in your job?
The toughest thing I have
experienced in my job is attempting
to render aid or guide someone on a
proper path that does not want
assistance or advice.
Share some things you enjoy
doing in your spare time.
In my spare time I enjoy being with
my family as well as hunting, riding
horses, and playing ball.
What are three things on your
bucket list?
Travel all 50 states and see the kids
become self-sufficient.
Who is someone you admire
and why?
My grandfather A.C. Griffin Jr. for his
service in the U.S. Marine Corp,
combat in World War II, and his
upbeat outlook on life along with the
drive to do anything that he put his
mind to.
Where do you see yourself ten
years from now?
Ten years from now I see myself
being more knowledgeable and
advancing my career.
If you could give one piece of
advice to a young person, what
would it be?
Knowledge is power, you can never
learn too much.
What is a favorite childhood
memory?
My favorite childhood memory is the
time spent with family, mother,
father, and two brothers.
What is the biggest mistake you
think young people make today?
I think the biggest mistake young
people make today is giving in to the
wrong types of peer pressure in
order to "fit in" even when they know
they shouldn't.
What is your favorite thing about
the City of Clinton?
The City of Clinton is a beautiful
place with great people and an
atmosphere that portrays a place to
raise a family.
What is your favorite thing about
Hinds County?
Hinds County has been home for
most of my life. My time in Hinds
County has taught me that it is filled
with rich history, many historic
places and things to see.

HOPE
Susan Marquez
Some things happen because there’s a
need. That’s exactly why the Hope Conference
for Cancer Survivorship happened the first
time. Susan Mason saw a need, and she worked
to fill it. Fifteen years later, she’s still working
hard to fill that need for area cancer patients,
cancer survivors, and their caregivers.
Mason was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma in 1994. Like so many people
do, she went to the M.D. Anderson Medical
Center in Houston for a second opinion. “I
was immediately connected with their patient
support system,” she recalls. “Every year, I went
to Houston to their survivor’s conference where I always received
a lot of knowledge, education and encouragement.”
Back at home in Clinton, Mason said she realized that the
metro Jackson area has a lot of medical facilities, but there was
nothing offered like the conference she had been attending in
Houston. “Our area is unique in that instead of one huge medical
center, we have several top-notch hospitals. I thought it would be
great to pull them all together to form a coalition to serve cancer
patients and survivors. I wanted to do a conference in Jackson
like the one they have in Houston.”
What Mason didn’t know was that the hospitals are all highly
competitive and nothing like what she wanted to do had ever
been done. But that didn’t stop her. “It was a challenge to bring
them all together, but I managed to do it!”
She began by contacting the Mississippi Chapter of the
American Cancer Society and the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society
of Mississippi. “Those organizations started on this journey
with me, and they are still involved, along
with Jackson State University and Belhaven
University.”
That journey resulted in the first ever
Hope Conference in 2002. “The church I go
to, First Baptist Church Jackson, hosts the
conference, which will be held for the 15 th year
on March 4, 2017.” The conference will have a
survivors panel featuring Whitney Pickering,
Stephanie Bell Flynt, Senator Hillman Frazier,
Terri Hederman and Ashley Johnson. Coach Jay
Hopson of University of Southern Mississippi
will be the keynote speaker, sharing his own
experience with cancer.
Breakout sessions will include cancer exercise therapy as
well as sessions that focus on education and encouragement.
Mary Margaret Judy is the executive director of St.
Catherine’s Village in Madison. When asked to give her thoughts
on the conference and the program, in general, she said, “Put
it in the hands of our Lord and his physicians. Do not give up
hope. St. Catherine’s Village and all of the St. Dominic family are
proud to help light the way for the Hope Conference for Cancer
Survivorship.”
The logo for the event, a lighthouse, was designed by
Marshall Ramsey, also a cancer survivor. “Our motto is ‘Lighting
the way to cancer survivorship’ because we want to shine light on
people and their journey,” he said.
For more information on the conference visit
hopeconferencejackson.com.

The CHALKBOARD
CLINTON SCHOOLS
CLINTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
BASKETBALL
CLINTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Reading fair
The CCA elementary basketball program began in late October and recently wrapped up another great
season with the 4th and 5th grade boys team, 4th and 5th grade girls team, 6th grade boys and 6th grade
girls teams competing against other area schools. The elementary sports programs at CCA help prepare
students with the fundamentals necessary for Jr. varsity and varsity athletics.
CCA hosted its first annual Reading Fair this past fall. All 1st through 6th graders participated, but only the first and second
place winners from each grade advanced to the District MAIS Reading Fair.
The following CCA students attended the District Reading Fair: Jayden Watts, Rainey Wallace, Wes Peacock, Madeline
Bambera, Barrett Watson, Nathan Hendon, John Wesley Murriel, Jack Grove, Maddie Fox, Evan Walker, Annie Kate King,
Davis Thaggard, and Bethany Cole. Second grader, Madeline Bambera and fourth grader John Wesley Murriel advanced to
the State MAIS Reading Fair which was held at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl.
Nathan Hendon
3rd grade
Jack Grove
4th grade
Annie Kate King
5th grade
Davis Thaggard
6th grade
Pictured L to R: Evan Walker and Connor Purvis
50 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 51

The CHALKBOARD
CLINTON SCHOOLS
CLINTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
scholar athlete
CLINTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Crutchfield signs with LSU
Clinton Christian Academy senior JD Morton was recently selected as one of WAPT’s scholar athletes of the year.
JD has maintained 4.0 GPA while being very active in leadership on campus, being involved in multiple sports and
giving of his time in service to others. JD currently serves as student body president. He is a member of National
Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team, and the Clinton Chamber Youth leadership
program. JD is a three sport letterman at CCA excelling in football, basketball and baseball.
Clinton Christian Academy senior Kaeleigh Crutchfield recently signed to play softball at LSU Eunice. Kaeleigh had a
dominant year as the ace pitcher for a CCA team that went 28 and 5 and won the district and South State championships.
She finished with a 20 and 2 record, struck out 173 batters in 120 innings, and recorded a 1.54 era. She was selected to play
in the MAIS all-star game in which she pitched 3 scoreless innings.
Pictured L to R: Coach Josh Zeitz, Kaeleigh, Terri and Thom Crutchfield.
52 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 53

The CHALKBOARD
CLINTON SCHOOLS
CLINTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
FOOD NETWORK
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL
Biomedical Research
The 8th grade class of CCA recently spent a morning volunteering at MS Food Network packing backpacks
and food boxes for the holiday season.
Biomedical Research presented their findings from their semester research project. They researched how
social media and stress affect the self-confidence of students, faculty, and administration at Clinton High.
Pictured L to R: Callie Abraham, Maddie Weeks, Presley Price, Hannah
Zeitz, Thomas Oberhausen, Ben Thomas, Noah Phillips, JP Morgan,
Jason Sanders, and Jelani Porter.
Students are (L-R): Ashley Thompson, Jim Yen, Nickie Tiwari, Luat Nguyen, Katie Reese, Bryce Little, Cristy Van
54 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 55

The CHALKBOARD
CLINTON SCHOOLS
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL
Junior Scores Perfect on ACT
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL
cheerleaders
When Tanner DeYoung found out that he scored perfect
on the American College Test, he texted his whole family
with the news. “I realized a lot of options were about to
open up for me,” he said.
The Clinton High School Cheerleaders volunteered for Make-A-Wish over the holiday
at The Outlets in Pearl.
The Clinton High School junior scored a 36 on the test
that was administered in December. He attributes the
score to hard work and to the humanities test prep
course offered at CHS.
Humanities is a course offered to 11th grade students
who have taken the PSAT as 10th graders and intend to
take the national qualifier exam as juniors. “The class is
a half-credit course that meets before school as an early
period,” said CHS teacher Chasidy Burns. “Students in
this class rotate between three teachers for a semester,
spending a week at a time with each teacher.” This
amounts to about six weeks of preparation in each
content area over the course of a semester. One teacher
focuses on reading comprehension, one on writing and
grammar, and one on math.
“During the second nine weeks, students are prepared
for the ACT and are encouraged to take the ACT in December,” she said. “In addition to an intense test prep
course, the students are also given advice and mentored in a question and answer session by students who
have taken both the course and the two tests.”
The ACT college readiness assessment is a curriculum and standards-based tool that assesses students’
academic readiness for college. It is administered to all Mississippi students in 11th grade, but students can take
it multiple times.
Tanner said the perfect score came on his third attempt at the test.
Tanner is the son of Danny and Paula DeYoung. He said he plans to major in political science but has not yet
decided on a college.
Pictured: (front) Lauren Heep, Gillian Chavez, Kyleigh Comley, Jamiya Bennett,
Morgan Leach, Taylor Villeneuve, and Madison Johnson. Standing: Kaitlin Bouler,
Hannah Hagood, Calen Lewis, McKenzie Davidson, Mallory Freeman, Ashtin
Stepp, Emma LaMarca, and Kennedy Smith
56 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 57

The CHALKBOARD
CLINTON SCHOOLS
CLINTON PARK ELEMENTARY
Awesome Arrows!
What is an Awesome Arrow? Each teacher picks one student in their classroom who has had exemplary behavior
throughout the month to represent their class as the Awesome Arrow of the month. Students come to a cookie party,
take a picture with their certificate, and receive a free ticket to any CHS sporting event. We are so proud of our
December Awesome Arrows!
Back:
Ja’Kayden Francis, Abby Sumrall, Morgan Milton,
Leah Strickler, Luke Henry
Middle:
Tamia Alexander, Koraima Yanez, Madyson Leigh Banks,
Jake Bell, Reyna Coker, Avery Felder
Front:
Meg Followell, Abdullah Noor, Riley McGaughey,
Payton Greer, Brooks Kimbrell
Back:
Bryston Cotton, Nicholas Moore, Aubrey Joiner, Brantley Jones,
Joshua Williams, Aarikka Burns, Katlyn Sellers
Middle:
Claire Cohen, Linda Watson, James Dove, Summer Lott,
Laura Lynn Williams, Zaria Patrick
Front:
Elizabeth Bauzil, Charlie Perna, Kaliya Hill, Brayson Turner,
Kellie Coke, Nykendra McInnis
CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Teacher of the year
Fourth grade math teacher Marcy McDonald takes a whole-child approach to
teaching. “Each child’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sides are all
parts that I’m able to influence,” she said. “My job is to establish a ‘home’ for a
period of time – a comfortable place for the children to laugh, love and learn
while feeling encouraged, challenged, safe and accepted.”
On Thursday, McDonald was named the Clinton Public School District’s 2016-17
Teacher of the Year. She was presented the award at Eastside Elementary in a
surprise presentation. “Ms. McDonald has shown herself to be not only a
fantastic teacher on a daily basis but an incredible faculty member who truly
shows her love for her school, district and children daily,” said Principal Cindy
Hamil.
At Eastside, McDonald oversees the annual Punt Pass Kick fundraiser; football
player adoption and recognition program that pairs a senior football player
with a class of students; National School Lunch Week and National School
Breakfast Week; Walk to School Days; Zumbathon; and many other activities.
McDonald has taught math and science at Eastside since August 2008. She
holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in
elementary education and a master’s degree in educational leadership, all from
Mississippi College.
“I believe that learning is the foundation for all minor and major successes in
life,” she said. “Learning can take on many forms and does not have one
pre-destined path. I believe all children have the capacity to learn and grow when met on their level and pushed to grow in only the
way that is best for them.”
Selection process
During the fall semester, each of the Clinton Public School District’s nine schools chooses a Teacher of the Year to represent their
building. The 2016-17 Teachers of the Year, by school, are:
• Clinton Park, Kristi Crisler
• Northside, Vickie Proctor
• Lovett, Kimberly Mardis
• CJHS, Misty Duke
• Sumner Hill, Rebecca Lancaster
• CHS, Charlotte Walker
• CHS Career Complex, Chastity Keenan
• Clinton Alternative, Daria Fuqua
Of these nine school winners, a district Teacher of the Year is selected by a five-judge panel of education administrators from other
school districts and local universities.
The teachers are interviewed by the panel, and must also submit a resume, letter of recommendation and a written philosophy of
education.
The district Teacher of the Year represents CPSD in the state Teacher of the Year program in the spring, sponsored by the Teacher
Center at the Mississippi Department of Education.
58 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 59

The CHALKBOARD
CLINTON SCHOOLS
SUMNER HILL JUNIOR HIGH
CONGRATULATIONS!
SUMNER HILL JUNIOR HIGH
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Sumner Hill Junior High School's character trait recipients for gratefulness. They will receive a
lunch sponsored by school adopter Chick-Fil-A of Clinton.
Sumner Hill honored the two most improved students for the 2nd nine weeks. Entergy sponsors our student rewards
during the school year. Rob Logan, Entergy's representative, presented the awards.
Row 1: Tiara Burks, Acacia Rodriguez,
Emily Pardue, Javari Graves
Row 2: Genesis Kelly, Sean Fleming, Stephen Nasekos,
Lane Craft, Roselyn Littleton
Row 3: Brandon Andrews, Natalie Wallace,
Vontre Moore, Kelsie Funchess
Row 4: Timothy Fuller, Madeline McElroy, James Pharr
Not Pictured: Delisha Alexander, Breckyn Hanley
1st Picture: Davion Hollins improved the most in Mrs. Willson's English class. Pictured from left to right: Olivia Willson and Davion Hollins.
2nd Picture: Madison Rosamond improved the most in Mrs. Ard's Algebra I class. Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Ard and Madison Rosamond.
Sumner Hill honored students who have demonstrated generosity for the month of December. These students will
receive a lunch sponsored by Clinton's Chick-Fil-A.
Sumner Hill honored our VIP students for the 2nd nine weeks. Entergy sponsors our student rewards during the
school year. Rob Logan, Entergy's representative, presented the awards. Each VIP student selected their STAR teacher.
Row 1: Hunter Cleveland, Kamran Tucker,
Hannah Kate Stavely, Kylie Dowd, Nina Lin
Row 2: Averi Wall, Anna Grace Carter,
Alex Bailey, Brady Pigg, Madolin Haselhorst
Row 3: Nebriana Brown, Shemaiah Smith,
Jakobi Baker, Caleb Bohannon, Kaitlyn File, Donte Tripp
Not Pictured: Nicholas Shirley, Josephine Tripp
3rd Picture: From left to right: Nicholas Shirley, 2nd Nine Weeks VIP Student, and Anita Kelly, STAR Teacher
4th Picture: From left to right: Jordan Brasher, STAR Teacher, and Cooper Welch, 2nd Nine Weeks VIP student.
60 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 61

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62 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
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The
way
we
were
Bill and Sue Johnson
Elizabeth Bennett
“Of all the places we saw, West Point Academy was my favorite,” said
Sue. She enjoyed how traditional it was. “We parked the motorhome on
campus and got to see a full dress review on the same field that General
Eisenhower marched on. We got to talk to some cadets afterwards.”
When they finished their big traveling adventures, they would go in
the motorhome to Ole Miss games. Eventually, they realized they were too
old and sold the motorhome.
“We want to stay here until we go to Glory,” said Bill. We love Clinton.
It’s a great place to raise a family,” said Sue. “We have been blessed with
wonderful children and church,” said Sue. Bill has enjoyed being in the
same men’s Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Clinton since
1973. Sue is a part of their writing ministry and writes notes of
encouragement to people and prays for them.
Sue explained the importance of commitment in a marriage. “You
have to take all your commitment seriously. It’s nice if you can marry your
best friend. I have worked at eight different banks and taught school for 18
years, but my favorite job was being a homemaker,” said Sue. “I think
homemaker is the most important job. I enjoyed homemaking more than
teaching or banking.”
Bill had Christian values that Sue admired. “We took our kids to
Sunday school, not drop them off. You have to have a strong faith in God
and pray. It is very important,” said Sue.
They have two daughters. Nina was born in Connecticut and Barbara
was born in Japan. Nina lives in Clinton and is a nurse while Barbara lives
in Nashville and is a flight attendant. The Johnsons have seven
grandchildren.
Bill has a few hobbies in his retirement that he likes. He collects
coins, reads a lot, plays cards on the computer and is involved in his
Sunday school class. His favorite thing is following Ole Miss football. “I love
my Rebels,” said Bill.
Sue enjoys playing the piano and writing poetry. She has written two
books of poetry: “Journey into Christmas” which is a compilation of poetry
from her Christmas cards and “The Heart Lies Homeward”, a collection of
poems about the true meaning of home.
Sue loved being an army wife. She explained that she loved the
community, the patriotism and the adventuresome lifestyle. In Sue’s book,
"The Heart Lies Homeward", she says, “When I married my high school
sweetheart, Bill Johnson, on December 24, 1950, we began our first “home”
together. I had no idea fate would take us to every section of the United
States and a few foreign countries. I loved the tradition of the United States
Army, the close-knit fellowship of the army wives and the benefits
afforded our children with different cultures, spectacular settings, and
most of all, learning to be flexible in change,” said Sue.
“For twenty-two years we lived like nomads. We have lived in
mountains, by the seashore, on the dusty plains of Texas, in the middle of
quaint New England towns and a stone’s throw from the Rhine River in
Germany. We have passed through storied entrances to shrines in Japan,
learned how to do origami and how to survive on a fast train to Tokyo.
Home means many things to many people. But for me, home has always
been wherever Bill and I are together. Having our children close by now is
simply the icing on the cake.” zx
Bill and Sue Johnson have been married 66 years. Sixty-six years into
marriage and the love and admiration Bill has for Sue is still shows with the
twinkle in his eyes. “She is my best friend, and we knew it when we first
met,” said Bill. “We just hit it off.”
Bill Johnson was born in Carrollton, Mississippi, in 1931. He attended
Greenwood High School and then went into the military. While in the
military, he attended college at night and received his degree to be a law
enforcement corrections officer. He was in the army for 24 years and when
he retired from the military, he attended law school at Ole Miss where he
graduated in 1973. He practiced law for 21 years, with 17 of those years spent
serving as municipal judge.
Sue was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1932. She attended Forest Hill
High School and then went on to Gilfoy School of Nursing to pursue a
nursing degree. “At that time, you could not be married and stay in nursing
school. So, I quit nursing school and got married,” said Sue. Years later,
while Bill was pursuing his law degree, Sue completed her bachelor’s
degree in education. She attended Mississippi College for graduate school
and taught English for 18 years at Clinton Junior high school. She retired
from teaching in 1990.
The Johnsons met when they were juniors in high school. Sue had a
cousin in Greenwood who she would go to visit. Her cousin had a date with
another man and wanted Sue to go on a double date with her. Sue’s cousin
knew Bill Johnson’s sister and that is how Bill Johnson got connected to go
on a double date with Sue. Sue and Bill were both dating other people at
the time, but they decided to go on the double date anyway.
They went to a square dance at the Scout Hut in Greenwood. They
enjoyed each other’s company so much that they had a date the next day in
Jackson. Neither Sue nor Bill had cars so they took the Greyhound bus back
and forth between Greenwood and Jackson. They dated for two years and
were engaged on July 31, 1950, the day before Bill went to the army.
The Johnsons were married at 4 p.m. on December 24, 1950 at Van
Winkle church. Their wedding was a thrifty event. The whole wedding cost
less than one hundred dollars. Sue’s dress was borrowed from a friend.
Twenty-five dollars was spent for greenery and candles as poinsettias were
already in the church because it was Christmas time. Sue’s sister gave her
the veil, her mother made spice cakes and coffee, and their reception took
place in a small apartment. They spent their wedding night in the Waldorf
Hotel in Jackson and then took the Greyhound the next day to spend
Christmas day with Bill’s family.
The Johnsons’ first home was in Biloxi. They did not have a car and
everything they owned fit in half of a trunk of a car. They made $68 a
month in the beginning and rent was $30 a month. They would take a bus
to the commissary to get the things they needed. Once a month, they
would enjoy their big outing to get a hamburger and go to a movie. They
also liked to go crabbing. A few months after they got married, they bought
a 1940 Chrysler for $150.
The Johnsons had many adventures together while in the military.
They lived in Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Connecticut, Nebraska, Biloxi
and more places overseas. Bill went on 5 overseas tours: the Philippines,
Greenland, Vietnam, Germany and Japan. Sue joined him in Germany and
Japan and their youngest daughter was born in Japan. Their favorite places
they lived were Omaha, Nebraska and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
After the Johnsons retired, they continued their adventuresome
lifestyle and spent ten years traveling around in their motorhome. They
went to every state in the United States of America and all the provinces of
Canada. They went to the biggest mall in Canada which has an amusement
park and an underwater submarine. When they went to Maine they put in
on a ferry and went to Nova Scotia. Their last big trip was a trip to Alaska
which lasted for three months. They saw bears everywhere in Alaska and it
took a while for them to adjust to 22 hours of light during May.
"She is my best
friend, and we
knew it when
we first met."
64 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 65

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Sponsored by
Nor 1-800-944-5948 ancy was at home in her flower
garden. The miracle of burying
seeds and bulbs to see them push
through the soil and fill her garden with
CONTACT
PH: 601-939-9599
FAX: 601-664-6621
EMAIL: info@greatsouthernevents.com
color and fragrance brought sheer delight
in her senior years.
Now that she was retired, her garden
was her new work place. No, make that
playground. She studied seed and flower catalogs and spent creative
hours designing her flowering oasis.
Nancy’s daffodil collection had grown to a showplace in the early
spring. January might bring its wintry mix, but February and March
meant color would return. Neither the March lamb nor lion could
intimidate the designs that God had programmed in her select
daffodil bulbs.
By late February, the blanket of leaves was raked and in compost
mode. The daffodils were up and breaking into a parade of blooms.
Nancy spent special moments perusing her inviable collection while
searching for more planting areas.
On the last February weekend, Nancy’s granddaughter, Milly, came
for a visit. The crisp Friday evening was perfect for Milly to wander the
garden paths and examine her grandmother’s prize blooms. Nancy
suggested a cup of hot chocolate and stepped inside to prepare their
treat. “Warm cookies would add to this special visit,” Nancy said to
herself as she pulled a package of cookie dough
from the freezer.
Before Nancy could finish her surprise
cookie bake, Milly had her own surprise. She
pushed through the kitchen door with both
of her seven-year-old hands clutching a huge
bouquet of daffodils – the prize ones that
Nancy adored.
“Here! Non-Nee, these are for you! I picked the biggest ones I
could find.”
Nancy tried to act surprised instead of shocked, and pleased instead
of annoyed. Milly had harvested her choice blooms with stems in all
lengths.
“They’re beautiful, Milly, but let’s don’t pick anymore – they last
longer outside and look so pretty from the windows,” Nancy said with
a forced smile.
That night while Nancy and Milly slept warm and snug in their
quilt-topped beds, the lion of March slipped into Nancy’s garden and
left a surprise carpet of snow.
During their pancake breakfast, Non-Nee and Milly reveled in
the “snow garden” and Milly’s beautiful bouquet on the breakfast table.
In twenty-four hours Nancy had learned to seize the joy moments
because they’re fleeting and to spread sunshine – not hoard it. The
lion of March and the Lamb of God had been the instructors. n
66 • Feb/Mar/Apr 2017
Hometown Clinton • 67

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a financial professional can help you prepare for and navigate the financial impact of life changes.
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manage all types of investment and financial planning, yet small enough to know our clients personally. We get to
know each client’s personal goals and concerns in order to provide individually-tailored, holistic financial planning.
To discuss your needs and set up an appointment for a free consultation, please call 601-925-8099
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