Loving Teen is Remembered after Tragic Death

Jim Cheek's infectious smile could light up a whole room.
Photo credit: Lea Cheeks' Facebook

   On the Monday night of November 22, 2016, the precious life of a teen boy was taken. Jim Cheek loved life. He had the capability of lighting up a room with his smile and was one to bring everyone together. He had a passion for dancing and his faith was strong. He was also known for being a remarkable athlete in his high school as he played baseball and picked up football his senior year. Jim loved his parents; he always wanted to impress them. He also shared an inseparable bond with his older sister Claire, who was his absolute best friend.
   Jim's life was taken too fast when he died during the Thanksgiving holiday at the young age of eighteen. Jim lived his life always to the most full potential. He took his last breath with his friends, which he absolutely adored.
   Jim's life was celebrated at his high school, where a near thirteen-hundred people showed up to a vigil service in his memory, where many tears, laughs, and stories were shared about Jim. One of his friends said, "He's probably tapping God on the shoulder right now saying, 'Look God, I made the news.'" His friends expressed their thoughts and prayers towards the community and heavily towards his family. At the end of the ceremony, Jim's best friend asked his parents permission to wear #18 on the baseball field this year in his memory.

The Centennial community gathers for Jim Cheek's vigil service.
Photo taken by: Phil Newman

    In the past 11 months, this is the third death of a student at Centennial High School. The school is one of strength and love, and has faced more than one can imagine. Jim will join his football brother Nickell Whitson in heaven.
    Jim's life story was cut too short, but his impactful soul and his loving heart will always be remembered.
 

Making A Ball Of Clay Useful: BTS of a Pottery Sale at Ole Miss

The advanced ceramics students at Ole Miss hold their Christmas Pottery Sale each year in hopes to share their work with others on campus.

The public only sees the finished product, however, much more goes on beyond the rack in Meek Hall. One of the first steps they take is mixing their own clay. This takes advanced student, Ashton Keen, seven hours to do. Once it's on the wheel, it must be centered before the artist begins to make anything.


The advanced students have to fill up a kiln by themselves, which can mean making almost 100 pieces.
Challenges that arise with any ceramics student is ruining a piece they've already put in several hours making. Common mistakes include, students trimming a hole in the bowl, accidentally knocking it against anything, which ruins the shape and the entire piece, and letting a piece get too try to finish. When it's finally complete, the artist is left with a piece they've put their whole heart in and ready to share it with the world.

Click below to see more of what goes into making clay into something useful.

Proceeds will benefit the ceramics department by helping fund materials needed for the class, but some will be kept for the artist.

Ole Miss Student Union Closing, Leaves UM Students with Less Food Options

Ole Miss Student Union undergoes $59 million renovation and expansion

The University of Mississippi Student Union is a place for students to eat, socialize and study. The Union first opened in 1977 when it was able to occupy 9,000 students. However with the student enrollment being over 23,000, the numbers just don't add up.

The building is undergoing a full renovation and expansion to accommodate to campus growth. The finished project will double the building in size, from 97,600 to 173,000 square feet.

"The needs of the students needed to be met," Ole Miss Student Union Director Bradley Baker said.

Once completed, the new Union will add a Which Wich sandwich shop and McAlister's deli shop to the menu, while the existing Chick-Fil-A, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Panda Express, Provisions on Demand and Toss It Up restaurants will return.

For more on this story, click the link below: 

 Ole Miss Student Union Closing Leaves Students with Less Meal Options

To learn more about the Student Union renovation/expansion visit union.olemiss.edu

Bryan's House Red Socks Campaign

For families with children affected by HIV/AIDS and other developmental and medical needs, help can be difficult to find, but Bryan's House in Dallas, Texas strives to make efforts to provide care for these families impacted by such afflictions.  However, raising the funds to do so requires quite a bit of help and funds.

Red Socks Campaign Mailer

During the holiday season, Bryan's House holds their annual Red Socks Campaign to assist to fund their mission of helping these families.  According to the non-profit, the campaign started after their namesake, Bryan Allen, who passed away from AIDS, was always kept in little red socks as a baby.

Now, Bryan's House sends out little red socks during the holidays for people to fill with donations to help finance their goal to help children not only affected by the AIDS virus, but with other medical and developmental needs.



Madison Aman has more on this story, which you can watch below:

Ole Miss Faces Harsh Problem of Prescription Drug Abuse for Studying Purposes

Courtesy of Google Images

College students are under constant pressure to perform well in school. When mixed with the use of prescription drugs as a means to help enhance their abilities, this can become a dangerous duo.

It is becoming quite common for overworked students to turn to "study drugs" such as Adderall, Vyvanse and Ritalin as a quick fix to their studying habits. More often than not, the students who turn to these drugs, are not prescribed to them.

There are serious health concerns that come along with illegally using prescription medications. “They perform heart and liver tests before prescribing anyone with the medicine to see if they are even a candidate,” Ole Miss Pharmacy student and intern at the Student Health Center, Ethan Casey said. “If someone were to have a silent heart condition that they didn’t know about, some of these amphetamines can be deadly.” 

For more on this story, click on the video below:

Facebook has various pages, such as the one pictured below, that bring awareness to the dangers of such drugs and offer more positive substitutes.

New Business Owner Improves Poverty-Stricken Community

VS Fashions opened earlier this month in Macon, MS by owners Velda and Ralph Skinner.

VS Fashions serves as a primary source for clothing purchases. However, the store's main focus is to provide ample support and options for male customers.

The owners also serve as pioneers for their fellow community members.

Based on the government census, there are very few businesses owned by minority populations as well as women. Co-Owner Velda Skinner fills two of those voids. The number of black women owning businesses increased drastically over recent years.

Within recents years, the number of small businesses rose to provide assistance and inspiration to the needs of respective communities.

Although the business decline in Noxubee County is drastic, there is a committee set in place to help provide more connection and projection to attract business.

The government also provides support and education for interested business owners.

VS Fashions Facebook Page

VS Fashions plans to move to Main Street of Macon, MS with continued support of Noxubee County members. "I appreciate all the support and love everyone has shown us since we opened," Skinner said. 

Activity Director, Karen VanWinkle livens up Oxford, Miss. Health and Rehabilitation Center

Karen VanWinkle opening up the doors to Oxford Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Oxford Health and Rehabilitation Center is a place where skilled staff members work to give their residents a secure and comforting environment while continuing to live out their lives. For 30 years, their mission has been to provide love, support and compassion to those who can not take care of themselves anymore.

According to hebrewseniorlife.org, in the United States, the 65-year-old and older population is projected to double to 71.5 million by 2030. Due to these predicted numbers, new rehab facilities and nursing homes are becoming increasingly important and needed.

While the centers themselves are important to have, activity directors among these centers are needed as well. Nursing Home Diaries says, "Studies have shown that regular stimulating activities help half decline in depression among nursing home residents, staving off dementia and keeping their spirits as well as their bodies alive."

Oxford Health and Rehabilitation Center holds a movie night for all of their residents to attend.

While being there only one year, Karen VanWinkle has helped liven up Oxford Health and Rehab Center tremendously. For more on this story, click the video below: