2015

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Ovid. on the porch === Master of Music Degree at Delta State Uni– versity, the college band was quite small. Over the years, under Carson's direction, the band grew to well over a hundred members. When Carson passed away in 2012, the Collegians embraced the old adage ''The show must go on," and when the group came to the Fair to perform that year, the group hung a large photograph ofCarson on the pavilion stage and presented a spirited show. The Collegians have now presented an afternoon of entertainment at the fair for al– most a quarter of a century and will again perform at the 2015 fair. Not only do the Collegians perform, but the college cheering squad also displays their talents. When the cheerleaders perform, I al– ways hold my breath as they built pyramids, and the person on top winds up among the rafters of the pavilion. From the founding of East Central, Neshoba has been one of the five counties which support the college. The day EastCen– tral comes to the Fair is always a big event with present-day students and scores of alumni who fill the pavilion to standing room

By Ovid Vickers

The year was 1992. Thomas Carson, Di– rector of Bands at East Central Community College at the time, had recently organized a new group of college musicians. The group was called '1be Collegians," and they were looking for venues to display their talents. One afternoon, while attending the fair, Tom Carson met Dr. Rudolph Posey. Dr. Posey was in charge of entertainment at the fair, and Carson proposed bringing the Col– legians to the fair for an afternoon perform– ance. Dr. Poseywelcomed the group, and the East Central Community Collegians have performed each year since on what has be– come known as East Central Day at the fair. Director Carson, who passed away in 2012, always played guitar with the group. It can truly be said that he was an interesting individual. He had spent bis growing up years in Spain where his father Charles Car– son, a Newton County native, served as the United States Consul General to Spain, as a part of theAmerican Diplomatic Corps. Not only did Tom Carson speak fluent Spanish, he was also a consummate musician who taught music appreciation and theory as well a'i serving as Director of Bands. When he came to East Centntl. after completing a

find a 0v-.. ~ pencils , pens and le) tiup uanng logo are handed to those about the college md to those fi denL<; \\ho drop b) the share East memorie . In almost every section-Of tbe ~ there is a cabin owned by a pr"CSCil! or f; member of the East Central faculty Tbest cabins were inherited. bought. or bu their owners. Some of these Olbins inrcitude: Carrie Ann Alford (English instructor • A'l– lice Pouncey (Home ~~.mef~ ofStacey Hollingsworth (ExecutI'-e Duector of Foundation and Alumni Reta.uons), Dr. Melanie Pinter. (Instructor in A.A. Degree Sursing Program). O\id and Carol Vi ~ 1u ~ •-c: n ha1

APPEARED IN:

NESHC iEngJi.;h). Billy and Susan Fox Sm_uh (Coaching and Ps)ch,")h,gy), Prentice SCOTI Copeland (member of the Board ofTru.'>t~--s and former longtime president o the ~oard) WINST and the family of Clinton Ru:.-.ell (Director of Buildings and Grounds for man) years).

CARTHAGINIAN----- - -

NEWTON COUNTY APPEAL ___ SPIRIT OF MORTON-------- MERIDIAN STAR _ _____ o\ \ .\'.\ QvS)\1\C>J ~0 n\ X (( \ \ \ ~ \(Cl},_'{ \ \ \'{\.{ ) ) J

CLARll

The connection between East Central Community College and .the Nesh~b.a County Fair is displayed with ~real spmt during East Central Day at the Fair. Neshoba County is one of the five s~p­ porting counties of the college, and the t~es between the college and the county remains strong.