October 14, 2024
Pearl River Community College Wildcats came from near and far to celebrate Homecoming 2024. Evening festivities began with the Homecoming Parade and ended with a football game against the Copiah-Lincoln Wolves that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Cheerleaders, Spirit of the River Marching Band, String of Pearls, and Color Guard led the parade procession, followed by the Homecoming Court riding in style on PRCC golf carts. Upon arriving at Old Stadium Drive, the boys in Maroon and Gold were met with a roar of cheers from the crowd during the Wildcat Walk as they made their way to the field to begin warm-ups.
The new Alumni Tailgate Pavilion in the north end zone was bustling with excitement as alumni of all ages enjoyed a delicious spread. Tailgating sponsors, as well as faculty and staff, were set up for fellowship, food, and fun in the south end zone.
Homecoming Court Presentation
Prior to kick-off, the Homecoming Court was presented.
The 2024 Homecoming Queen is Southhaven resident, Thailan Payne.
Payne, daughter of Fraddia Jackson and the late Melrick T. Payne, graduated from Desoto Central High School where she was actively involved in several organizations. She was a member of the women’s basketball team, served on the Student Council, participated in the Spirit Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was named a Graduate of Distinction. She also served on the Homecoming court each year and was crowned both Homecoming Queen and Prom Queen during her senior year.
Currently, Payne is a member of the Women’s Wildcat Basketball Team and is actively involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes at PRCC. After earning her associate degree, she plans to continue her academic and athletic journey at a Division 1 university, majoring in dermatology. Her long-term goals include playing basketball abroad and establishing her own dermatology clinic.
This year’s Freshman Maids are Abbie Honeycutt of Purvis, Charity Magee of Gulfport, De’Asia Ward of Foxworth, and Lily Yanez of Bay St. Louis.
Honeycutt, daughter of Jerry and Stacy Honeycutt of Columbus, is a graduate of Purvis High School. During her time there, she was a member of the homecoming court for three years, named a Mississippi Scholar, maintained A/B Honor Roll, and actively participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Mosaic Club, and completed the CTE Early Childcare program. At Pearl River, Honeycutt is working toward a Nursing degree while participating in the travel and science clubs. After completing her studies at PRCC, she plans to transfer to William Carey University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and fulfill her goal of becoming a labor and delivery nurse.
Magee is the daughter of Dr. Gregg S. Magee Senior and Mrs. Irene Magee. A proud graduate of Gulfport High School, she actively engaged in numerous programs, including the Band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and serving as a Student Ambassador. Magee also made her mark as a Reporter for the school news, contributed to live broadcasts, and was a member of DECA and the Interact Club. Now majoring in Journalism, she is a member of the Spirit of the River marching band. After her studies at PRCC, she plans to transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi to further her education.
Ward is the daughter of Chanell and Demond Ward, hailing from Foxworth and Grand Bay, Alabama. A graduate of West Marion High School, she distinguished herself as a member of the National Technical Honors Society and as the co-captain of the cheerleading team. She is now studying nursing as part of the William Lewis Honor Institute and is involved with The Life Church in Picayune. Ward is working toward a degree in the Physical Therapy Assistant program and intends to continue her education at Alcorn State University.
Yanez, daughter of Dr. Dimitri Yanez of Bay St. Louis and Leah Gillis of Louisiana, graduated from Our Lady Academy in the Bay. During her time there, she was actively involved in athletics, participating in both the swim team and the track team, and she was a member of the OLA Ambassador Club. She is currently pursuing a major in finance and plans to continue her studies at Mississippi State University.
Sophomore Maids for 2024 are Meg Broom of Columbia, Trinit’t Coleman of Hattiesburg, Madison Doyle of Bay Saint Louis, and Sofia Tranquillani of Sao Paula, Brazil.
Broom, the daughter of Clay and Pennie Broom, is a graduate of Columbia Academy. During her time there, she was an active member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, DECA, The Crown Club, and served as Senior Class Treasurer and Vice President of Educators Rising. Currently, she is studying Elementary Education and serves as a leader at the Baptist Student Union. She was also honored as Queen of the 2021 Homecoming Court. After her time at PRCC, Broom plans to transfer to William Carey University to complete her degree in Elementary Education.
Coleman is the daughter of Kristy and Larry Orange. She graduated from Oak Grove High School, where she was an active member of the basketball cheer team. She is currently pursuing a degree in radiology technology and is a proud member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the Travel Club. After completing her studies at PRCC, Coleman plans to transfer to the University of Arkansas and later attend Dosimetry School in Miami, Florida.
Doyle is the daughter of Brittany Doyle and Jonathan Perry and a proud graduate of Hancock High School. In her spare time, she loves spending time with loved ones, cruising along the beach with music playing, and staying busy with her job. Doyle intends to transfer to a university to study ultrasound technology.
Tranquillini, daughter to her American host family, Mr. Caleb Martin and Ms. Toni Martin of Bogalusa, Louisiana, attended Ben’s Ford Christian School, where she played basketball and softball. She is currently active at PRCC as a River Navigator, helping to represent the college to prospective students, and is also a member of the PRCC Singers. She intends to apply for PRCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program and continue her education to become an RN.
Wildcats’ Late Push Falls Short in Homecoming Showdown
Wildcat fans were thrilled with the excitement of the Homecoming football game. The team’s entrance, complete with pyrotechnics, kicked off the festivities in spectacular fashion.
The Spirit of the River Marching Band, along with the String of Pearls and Color Guard, took center stage for an unforgettable halftime performance with New Orleans flair.
Freshman quarterback Ian González dazzled in his first collegiate start, rushing for an incredible 238 yards and leading Pearl River’s offense. Pearl River kept pace with Copiah-Lincoln, tying the game at 17 in the second half, but a late Wolves touchdown and an interception on PRCC’s final drive led to a narrow 24-17 loss. Despite the defeat, the Wildcats showed grit and determination throughout the Homecoming contest.
Find more details about the game here: https://prccathletics.com/sports/fball/2024-25/releases/202410110o9cq1
Video Recap of Homecoming 2024
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG), and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Lauren Johnson, Kaitlyn Jones, Laura O’Neill, and PRCC Athletics Staff.
