2012-2013 Officers and Committee Chairs

We are proud to announce the 2012-2013 Officers and Committee Chairs.

Jessica Lewis, President 

Erica Turnipseed, Vice President/Provisional Trainer
Shannon Wallace, Recording Secretary

Shannon Turner, Treasurer

Jennifer Flannagan, Assistant Treasurer

Julie Hill, Finance Chair

Jade Smith, Finance Co-Chair

Shannon Coker, Cookbook Chair

Bee Brister, Cookbook Co-Chair

Kathryn Cooper, Corresponding Secretary

Christi Dubois, Public Relations Chair

Heather Blaylock, Education Chair

Tracey Holcombe, Constitution/Scholarships/Grants Chair

Georgia Sasso, Projects Chair  

Joni Pridmore, Nominations Chair

Ivey Ivy, Self-Evaluation Chair

Child Welfare

Sissy Conn, Co-Chair

Blair Thompson, C0-Chair

Schools

Jade Smith, Chair

Christi Dubois, Co-Chair

Sally Kate Winters

Georgia Sasso, Chair

Ivey Ivy, Co-Chair

RIF

Heather Blaylock, Chair

Kathryn Cooper, Co-Chair

Community Outreach

Bee Brister, Chair

Shana Cliett, Co-Chair

Partners in Parenting
Tracey Holcombe, Chair

Trish Young, Co-Chair

Light Up the Night

Junior Auxiliary of West Point and Sally Kate Winters Family Resource Center invite all girls ages 11 to 15 to attend "Learnin' 2 B Ladies" Monday, July 18. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Community Counseling Campus, formerly Mary Holmes College.

Girls will enjoy cooking, painting pottery, sewing glitzy pillows, learn how to professionally apply makeup, do nails and hair, and receive health and wellness tips that no real woman can do without! After their day of learning, the girls will be able to impress their friends and family at the graduation ceremony!

"Learnin' 2 B Ladies" is free to attend. You may register by calling 494-0120. The maximum capacity for the classes is 25, so hurry and reserve your spot!

West Point Rodeo scheduled for August 13-14

Junior Auxiliary members are looking forward to one of their favorite events of the

year -- the West Point Rodeo, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 13, and Saturday, Aug. 14. The

annual rodeo is hosted by the West Point Fire Department.

For the third year, the fire department is generously donating the proceeds of the rodeo

to the Junior Auxiliary of West Point. This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and

we are continuously overwhelmed by what huge hearts Fire Chief Johnny Littlefield and his

men have. They truly make what we do possible.

Cowboys and cowgirls will flock to West Point to compete and thoroughly entertain their

audience and for those two nights, JA will be right there proudly serving in the concession stand!

What can you do to help make this year's rodeo a smashing success? Buy an ad in the rodeo's

program from any JA member or by calling the fire department at (662) 494-2105. And, of

course, put your boots on and come join the fun on Aug. 13 and 14!

2010-2011 Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs

Junior Auxiliary of West Point has announced its committee chairs and co-chairs for

the 2010- 2011 year. They are:

Child Welfare

Jessica Lewis, Chair

Jeana Whitacre, Co-Chair

Sally Kate Winters

Allison Hinnant, Chair

Jackie White, Co-Chair

Schools

Ashley Baker, Chair

Jennifer Swoope, Co-Chair

Reading is Fun!

Allison Trolio, Chair

Jennifer Flannagan, Co-Chair

Community Outreach

Jessica Glusenkamp, Chair

Martha Allen, Co-Chair

Partners in Parenting

Shannon Wallace, Chair

Allison Carter, Co-Chair

Chapter Self-Evaluations

Shannon Coker, Chair

Nominations

Ginny Zepponi, Chair

"Light Up The Night"

Honorariums bearing children’s names will “Light Up the Night” in Sally Kate Winters Park on Saturday, April 10. The event brings awareness to Child Abuse Prevention month, however the children do not have to have been affected by child abuse to have candle placed in the park in their honor. Parents, grandparents, friends and family are asked to donate an honorarium for any child in their lives who are loved and treasured.

Members of the Junior Auxiliary of West Point tied blue ribbons on the doors of businesses downtown Wednesday in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month and in conjunction with the Sally Kate Winters Memorial Children’s Home.

JA, SKW to "Light Up The Night" for Child Abuse Prevention Month

Members of the Junior Auxiliary of West Point work hard year-round, but the organization pauses during the first week of April to say thanks to their community for another great year.

The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries observes the first week of April as National Junior Auxiliary Week and, on March 26, Sponsor Arkansas Sen. Blanche L. Lincoln and Co-Sponsor Mississippi Sen. Roger F. Wicker introduced a resolution designating April 4, 2010 as National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Day. This resolution was passed/agreed to in the Senate the same day.

WPJA has 26 members who each donate 56 hours of service every year to the chapter’s various projects – from making sure every child in Clay County goes home from school with a free book to providing school uniforms and supplies to child in need to throwing a summer celebration for terminally ill young people.

“This is such an exciting week for us because it gives us a chance to thank all of the citizens of West Point for supporting us in our work,” stated WPJA President Allison Trolio. “The families and children we assist are so deserving and thankful, and none of it would be possible without the support of the entire community.”

JA members, along with the staff of Sally Kate Winters Memorial Children’s Home, are also asking the community to get involved in their next event “Light Up the Night.” To be held April 10, “Light Up the Night” will include a 5K, a kid’s run and a “Family Fun Night,” all in Sally Kate Winters Park downtown. Organizers hope the event will put focus on April being Child Abuse Prevention Month.

SKW Executive Director Sheila Brand explained, “As an agency, we have provided awareness activities for Child Abuse Prevention Month for several years. Adding the 5k run and Family Fun Night seemed liked the perfect fit for increased awareness this year.”

On the night of April 10, the park will glow with candle-lit honorariums and glow bracelets will be available as well to those in attendance. In addition to the runs, there will be jumpers for the kids and food and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

“We are so excited about hosting our first ‘Light Up the Night’ and partnering with Sally Kate Winters in this event,” Trolio stated. “Although we are bringing awareness to a very serious problem, we really want to have a fun night for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

Brand added, “JA’s idea to sponsor the ‘Light Up the Night’ in conjunction with the Sally Kate Winters’ runs highlights the support they offer our program throughout the year. This will be a great event for all families in our community.”

Honorariums may be purchased for $10 each. For more information on “Light Up the Night,” please contact Jeana Whitacre at 456-6095 or the Sally Kate Winters Memorial Children’s Home at 494-4867.

South Side Elementary RIF distribution

Partners in Parenting Chair Bonnie Rogers, left, and RIF Chair Julie Hill, right, distributed books to the students of South Side Elementary January 22. Throughout each year, Junior Auxiliary sends every elementary school student in West Point and Clay County home with a free book through the Reading Is Fundamental Program and the generous donations from Mossy Oak.

JA Christmas Float wins Mayor's Award

In its first year to participate in the annual West Point Christmas Parade, Junior Auxiliary's float won the 2009 Mayor and Selectman's Choice for Most Original Concept Award. Despite cold and rainy weather, the ladies created a float depicting JA's many community projects and the ways the organization gives back to the community. JA is honored to receive the award and is already coming up with designs for their 2010 float!

"The Fisherman and His Wife" entertains children of West Point, Clay County

Peter Zapletal and his wife, Jarmila Zapletal, of Puppet Arts Theatre in Jackson, perform "The Fisherman and His Wife" for children from all over West Point and Clay County on Nov. 6, 2009. The performance was funny, colorful and most importantly, taught a valuable lesson on greed. JA wishes to thank The West Point/Clay County Arts Council for generously donating Center Stage Auditorium for the event.

(From Left) JA members Jessica Lewis, Shannon Wallace and Jeana Whitacre with children attending the performance.

Puppet Arts Theatre to bring "The Fisherman & His Wife" to Center Stage

Members of Junior Auxiliary of West Point are finalizing details for a production of “The Fisherman and His Wife” on Friday, Nov. 6, at Center Stage Auditorium.

The highly acclaimed Puppet Arts Theatre, a professional touring company under the direction of Peter Zapletal, will perform “The Fisherman and His Wife.” Zapletal is an award-winning puppetry producer and a former puppeteer and animator for Mississippi Educational Television. His television specials have been seen nationwide on PBS. Joining him on stage will be T. J. McSparrin, a professional actress and puppeteer who has previously appeared at New Stage Theater in Jackson and on Mississippi ETV. Jarmila Zapletal, a professional puppet maker and designer, created sets for the production.

“We are so thrilled to have Mr. Zapletal and Puppet Arts Theatre perform in West Point,” stated Allison Trolio, president of Junior Auxiliary of West Point. “It will be such a treat for the children to see the creativity in their work and the story is not only entertaining, it teaches a valuable lesson.”

“The Fisherman and His Wife” is a well-known fairytale from the collection of the Brothers Grimm, but the theme of greed and uncontrolled wishing for the impossible appears in many other stories across the world. In this adaptation, a fisherman catches a golden fish, “The Queen of The Sea.” At her request, the fisherman releases the queen, who then offers to fulfill any wish the he asks. The fisherman has no wishes, but his wife has many. Her greed increases, and the story comes with a surprising and satisfying ending.

“The Fisherman and His Wife” is set to the music of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and performed with the puppeteers in the full view of the audience, manipulating very large hand puppets. The set consists of two large rotating towers constantly creating new performing spaces. Children from the audience join the professional cast on stage and perform with the puppets made by the company. The Greater Jackson Arts Council provided a grant to make this production possible.

Since 1968, Puppet Arts Theatre has brought exciting and memorable performances to its audiences and has thrilled children of all ages from Boston to Tampa and throughout the Southeast. The company is on the Performing Arts Touring Program of the Mississippi Arts Commission. The West Point/Clay County Arts Council generously provided Center Stage as the venue for Friday’s performances.

The 10:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. performances on Friday have already sold out, however tickets are still available for the 8:45 a.m. showing. Tickets, which are $5, may be purchased through any JA member. For more information, please call (662) 495-9247.

NMMC-WP Safety Fair

Members of Junior Auxiliary helped out at the annual Safety Fair, held recently at North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point. Each year, the hospital hosts the Safety Fair to provide children in the West Point/Clay County area with a fun-filled morning where valuable health and safety information is distributed to them and their parents.

New active members Tracey Dexter and Heather Blaylock work with the children in an arts and crafts project.

Projects Chair Cindy Watson, left, serves drinks and smiles.

Incoming•Outgoing Social 2009

Junior Auxiliary of West Point welcomed its new active members for 2009-2010 at their Incoming • Outgoing Social, held at the home of Vice-President Laura Yelverton. Pictured from left are Erica Turnipseed, Ashley Baker, Shannon Coker, Heather Blaylock, Jennifer Flannagan and Tracey Dexter.

Our outgoing members moving on to associate or lifetime status are, from left, Caroline Atkins, Andrea Jester, Alison Reed, Nicole McBrayer and Candice Miller.

Bestselling Author Richard Paul Evans speaks at Area Meeting

(Ridgeland, Miss.) – “Living a life of service” and “avoiding and resolving conflict” were the main messages members of Junior Auxiliary of West Point came away with from the area meeting of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) held recently in Ridgeland.

“We enjoyed the meeting and got so much out of it,” stated Allison Trolio, president of Junior Auxiliary of West Point. “These meetings not only provide us with resources and tips for running our chapter, they inspire us and give us great ideas we can actually put to use in our communities.”

Keynote speaker for the event was Richard Paul Evans who motivated JA attendees to be good volunteers and utilize five keys in making their efforts a success: divine recognition, forgiveness, risk, acceptance of adversity and love. Evans’ story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when his book became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed.

Author and professional speaker/trainer Janie Walters of Madison provided the ABCs for dealing with conflict in the presentation titled, “When Your Blood Starts Boiling, Don’t Let It Cook Your Goose!” Walters explained, “The ‘A’ occurs when something negative happens, the ‘B’ represents the thoughts you have about it, and the ‘C’ represents the philosophy that thoughts produce feelings.”

Walters encouraged her audience to intercept negative thoughts to prevent negative emotions. Similar inspiration can be found in her book, Blow a Bubble Not a Gasket!

NAJA hosts area meetings across the Southeast each year to offer training and assistance to the organization’s 101 Chapters. “The training events for our members and community leaders help strengthen Chapters and make them more of a dynamic organization in each of the community’s they serve,” said Christy Keirn, NAJA President. “This year one of our secondary topics of discussion was Conflict Resolution in which we provided tips to help our attendees both in their personal and volunteer life.”

Junior Auxiliary represents a serious endeavor on the part of women to be active and constructive community participants and to assume leadership roles in meeting community needs. The mission of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries is to provide support, resources, and educational, leadership, cultural, and healthcare training for NAJA members in order to optimize community service by NAJA Chapters. These educational meetings for members give them the resources to be better community volunteers.

The NAJA slogan is “Care Today – Character Tomorrow” and when teamed with the current focus of NAJA, “Healthy Children – Healthy Futures,” Junior Auxiliary Chapters all over the Mid-South are working to increase awareness of child health and welfare and how it affects the future of the child.

For more information on Junior Auxiliary of West Point, visithttp://westpointja.blogspot.com. For more information on NAJA, visit www.najanet.org.

JA Recording Secretary Jessica Lewis, President Allison Trolio, Kerrie Gentry and Vice-President Laura Yelverton attended the recent area meeting in Ridgeland. Author Richard Paul Evans, center, was keynote speaker.

West Point Fire Department Benefit Rodeo 2009

For the second year, the West Point Fire Department graciously donated the proceeds from its benefit rodeo to Junior Auxiliary. JA members worked the concession stand Friday and Saturday night, providing food and drink to the talented competitors and fans. JA wishes to thank Chief Johnny Littlefield, the West Point Fire Department and Luke Lummus for providing us with a donation that will allow JA to carry out our many service projects during the year; JA Past President and current Chapter Support Coordinator Kerrie Gentry for being simply amazing; and all of the sponsors and patrons for their support of the rodeo this year.

JA members Andrea Jester and Gay McBrayer, and future JA member Tyler Carter, are pictured with our favorite cowboy in the whole world, West Point Fire Chief Johnny Littlefield.

Thank you to Chris Carter, husband of JA member Allison Carter, for grilling up the burgers Friday night. You are awesome!

Kerrie Gentry of the West Point Fire Department presents Junior Auxiliary President Allison Trolio and Finance Chair Allison Carter with their donation. Thank you all for everything you do!

STUFF the BUS

Bonnie Rogers, Ashley Baker, Julie Hill and Shannon Wallace braved the heat to collect school supplies for area children. The supplies will be distributed to children whom school counselors and teachers have identified as not having the resources to begin the school year. This service project allows these children to go to school with feelings of pride rather than shame. Over 150 children will be helped this year by donations of supplies and uniforms.

Thank you to Ashley Smith for organizing this service project. Many thanks to West Point residents for donating supplies and uniforms. Our projects would not be a success without your help!

Region IV Conclave

JA Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Treasurers met at the Starkville Sportsplex Saturday, July 25th to have review new information from NAJA. The Region IV Conclave was conducted by Kerrie Gentry, West Point JA associate member. As Region IV Chapter Support Coordinator, Kerrie answered questions that arise in JA chapters in our area. Kosciusko, Louisville, Starkville, and West Point JA members tossed around ideas on record keeping, fundraising, and service....just to name a few! West Point JA members included Allison Trolio, Laura Yelverton, and Jennifer Swoope. Thank you to Starkville JA for hosting this informative meeting and providing a scrumptious lunch!

Welcome Baby Hannah!

Congratulations to Ned and Candice Miller on the birth on their daughter, Hannah McLean, born Tuesday, July 21st. Hannah was 5lbs 13oz. Candice is an active JA member.

STUFF the BUS

Visit www.wcbi.com and scroll down the page to click on School Supply Drive. Here you will find more information about our annual Stuff the Bus school supplies drive July 24th & 25th from 8am-2pm! You may also see the commercial airing on WCBI. Please help us stuff our bus!