All Roads Led Home for Pearl River Homecoming 2022 Celebration 

October 19, 2022

Article by Alexx Kennedy and Laura O’Neill

Pearl River Community College Wildcats came from near and far to celebrate Homecoming 2022. Evening festivities began with the Community Carnival and ended with a firework celebration after the Wildcats secured the win at the football game. 

PRCC Wildcat Football team take to the field for Homecoming game.

Wildcats of all ages were able to enjoy a lovely afternoon with different activities set up for the Community Carnival, sponsored by Williams Financial Group. Bounce houses, face painting, corn-hole, and more were enjoyed by all in attendance. 

Cheerleaders, The Spirit of the River marching band, String of Pearls and Color Guard processed before being followed by the Homecoming Court on PRCC golf carts. Immediately after arriving at Old Stadium Drive, the crowd cheered on the boys in Maroon and Gold as they made their way to the field for warm-ups.  

String of Pearls marches in 2022 Homecoming Parade.

Tailgating areas were available for alumni and tailgating sponsors. Current students had time to show their athletic prowess at the Wildcat Olympics.  

HOMECOMING COURT PRESENTATION 

Prior to kick-off, the Homecoming Court was presented. 

The 2022 Homecoming Queen is Picayune resident, Kallie Hunt. 

2022 Homecoming Queen Kallie Hunt with her father, Jason Hunt, and PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood.

Hunt is the daughter of DeAnna and Jason Hunt. Hunt was a graduate of Picayune Memorial High School, where she was an honor roll student and a member of the Student Council as well as the Lady Tide Softball and Volleyball teams. She played on the PRCC Softball team last year and currently serves as their athletic trainer. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Iota Mu Chapter and Liberty Baptist Church. After completing her associate degree in Business Marketing and Management, she plans to attend the Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics in Daphne, Alabama. 

This year’s Freshman Maids are Bailey Coker from Petal, KyLee Cooper from Hattiesburg, Bailey Craft from Picayune, and Alexis Steele from Pearlington. 

Coker is the daughter of Clint and Suzy Coker (Monticello) and David and Mandi Roberts. She graduated from Petal High School where she was active in volunteer work. She is currently working on her basic classes with the goal of attending the Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics. 

Cooper is the daughter of Jamie Fantroy (Houston, TX) and Morris Cooper (New Augusta.) She graduated from Perry Central High School where she served as treasurer for National Technical Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America. She is currently studying nursing and plans to continue her education at Southern University in New Orleans with a master’s degree in nursing as her goal. 

Craft is the daughter of Amanda and Chad Craft. She graduated from Picayune Memorial High School where she played varsity soccer and tennis. She is a member of the William Lewis Honor Institute studying nursing and is active at The Life Church in Picayune. She plans to continue her education to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing.   

Steele is the daughter of Jessica and Tommy Steele. She graduated from Hancock High School where she was the captain of the color guard and volunteered as a face painter at different church and community events. She is planning to complete her associate degree in nursing with the desire to get a job as an RN before continuing her education to work in pediatrics. 

Sophomore Maids for 2022 are Aliciana Carter from Picayune, Olivia Fairley from Purvis, Jazzalyn Gelinas from Bay St. Louis, and Alexis Johnston from Richton. 

Carter is the daughter of Leslie and Jonathan Smith. Carter was a graduate of Picayune Memorial High School, where she was part of the Show Choir, the Pride of the Tide, as well as Lady Tide Softball and Volleyball teams. She is currently in the Medical Laboratory Technology program and captain of the String of Pearls dance team. She was also chosen as Queen for the 2021 Homecoming Court. After PRCC, Carter plans to attend LSU for a Medical Laboratory Science degree. 

Fairley is the daughter of Gloria Harris, Cedric Fairley, and Isaac Reed. She graduated from Purvis High School where she was on the Homecoming Court her senior year. She is currently studying psychology and working in the library. She plans to attend the University of Mississippi to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and become a social worker. 

Gelinas is the daughter of Shannon and Gerard Gelinas. She is a graduate of Bay High School where she was on the choir team and took occupational health courses. She is currently in the Business Management and Entrepreneurship program, was Freshman Maid for the 2021 Homecoming Court, and is an entrepreneur who owns her own vinyl company and sells baked goods. She has a vision of opening a bakery and becoming a licensed herbalist. 

Johnston is the daughter of Kristen and Charles Cochran. She graduated from First Assembly Christian Academy during which time she played volleyball and softball in an out of school league. She is currently a River Navigator who helps represent PRCC to prospective students, was Freshman Maid for the 2021 Homecoming Court, and is a member of Runnelstown Baptist Church. She is planning to complete her associate degree in dental hygiene and work at a clinic with kids.   

PRCC WILDCATS SPEED PAST CO-LIN 

The honorary captain for the game was Pearl River Community College Athletics and Alumni Hall of Famer Tony Walker. He was a standout Wildcat football player (1974-75) whose greatest performance was against Copiah-Lincoln in 1975 where his 571 total yards of offense helped secure the 20-6 victory. 

The Pearl River football team capped off the Homecoming festivities in a big way, knocking off Copiah-Lincoln for the first time since 2017. 

PRCC Wildcat Ken Irving from D’Iberville shows his joy during the game.

The Wildcats got the scoring started with a 40-yard Michael Owens (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) field goal. PRCC extended its lead to 10-0 in the second quarter when Bryan Whitehead II (Bartlett, Tenn.) scooped up a fumble and rumbled 47 yards to the endzone. PRCC never looked back from there going ahead 24-0 and eventually claiming a 24-14 victory.

Read Defense leads the way in Wildcat Homecoming win and find more images of the game at the bottom of that page.

The halftime show featured The Spirit of the River Marching Band, String of Pearls, and Color Guard. 

PRCC Color Guard members perform while the Spirit of the River Band plays at Homecoming 2022.

Wildcat fans then enjoyed a fabulous fireworks show sponsored by Highland Hospital and Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home. 

Homecoming 2022 Fireworks Display

HOMECOMING WEEK RECAP VIDEO

For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG). 

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

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