March 4, 2024 – The 2024 Mr. and Miss Paris Junior College will be announced on Wednesday evening, March 6 during halftime of the 7:30 p.m. men’s basketball game against Navarro College in the Hunt Center.
Faculty and staff nominate students for this honor and the student body casts the final vote. To be nominated, students must be graduating sophomores with a minimum of 12 semester hours in the current semester and 45 hours completed, and have at least a 2.75 GPA.
The following exceptional students were nominated for Mr. and Miss PJC:
Jackson Braun is a 2022 graduate of Cypress Christian High School in Spring, Texas. He is the son of Tracy and Patrick Braun. He is a returning member of the Baseball Team which won the Regional Championship last year and the national NJCAA Academic Team for Baseball in 2023, and named a 2023 Texas New Mexico Junior College All-Star. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Second Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. He will attend James Madison University to play baseball while getting a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.
Dewitt Brookins is a 2022 graduate of Sulphur Bluff High School in Sulphur Bluff, Texas. He is the son of Shenita Brookins. He is the Student Government Association President, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and served last year as the African American Student Union President. He has been named to the PJC Dean’s List, and plans to transfer to a four-year university to study neuroscience.
Preston Gamster is a 2022 graduate of Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas. He is the son of Grant and Kiki Gamster. He is a returning member of the Baseball Team which won the Regional Championship last year and the national NJCAA Academic Team for Baseball in 2023. In 2023 he was named Texas New Mexico Junior College All Star, Second Team All Region and First Team All Conference. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. He will attend Texas Christian University to play baseball and continue his education.
Caydence Gonzalez is a 2022 graduate of Lee High School in Midland, Texas. She is the daughter of AnnaLissa and Jesus Gonzalez. She is a returning member of the Women’s Soccer Team and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Third Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. She plans to transfer to a four-year university and pursue a degree in nursing.
Caleb Jameson is a 2022 graduate of Prairiland High School in Pattonville, Texas. He is the son of Jeff and Katy Jameson. He is a returning member of the Baseball Team which won the Regional Championship last year and the national NJCAA Academic Team for Baseball in 2023; he was named a 2023 Texas New Mexico Junior College All-Star and 2023 All Conference Pitcher. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team and the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. He will attend Baylor University to play baseball while studying kinesiology and exercise science to become a physical therapist.
Kelsey Kovar is a 2022 graduate of Thorndale High School in Thorndale, Texas and is the daughter of John and Kelly Kovar. She is a returning member of the Softball Team which came in third nationally for 2023 NJCAA Academic Team for Softball. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Student Government Association, and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team, National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-America Scholar-Athlete and to the PJC President’s List. She was also named 2023 Second Team All Conference and Team Defensive MVP. She will attend the University of Louisiana Monroe to play softball while studying business and accounting.
Grace Moore is a 2022 graduate of Paris High School in Paris, Texas. She is the daughter of Alicia and Kevin Moore. She is Vice President of Service of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and named to the 2024 PTK All-Texas Academic Team and the PJC President’s List. She plans to attend Texas A&M University – Texarkana to major in English and minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. After gaining her prerequisites, she will pursue a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology at Texas Women’s University.
Grace Pippin is a 2022 graduate of Hughes Spring High School in Hughes Spring, Texas and is the daughter of David Pippin and Leslie Pippin. She is a returning member of the Softball Team which came in third nationally for 2023 NJCAA Academic Team for Softball. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Second Team, National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-America Scholar-Athlete and to the PJC Dean’s List. She plans to attend a four-year university to play softball and pursue a nursing degree.
Kate Rainey is a 2022 graduate of North Lamar High School in Paris, Texas and is the daughter of Brian and Ruth Rainey. She is a returning member of the Softball Team which came in third nationally for 2023 NJCAA Academic Team for Softball. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and serves as Sophomore Representative for the Student Government Association. She was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Second Team, National Fastpitch Coaching Association All-America Scholar-Athlete and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. She will attend Ouachita Baptist University to play softball while finishing her kinesiology degree to become a personal trainer.
Casey Reiniche is a 2015 graduate of Stryker High School in Stryker, Ohio and the son of Anita and Harl Piety. He is President of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and named to the 2024 PTK All-Texas Academic Team and PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists, and a member of the PJC Choir. He plans to attend TAMU – Commerce to obtain a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing.
Photo cutline: Nominees for 2024 Paris Junior College Mr. and Miss PJC include, from left, Jackson Braun, Kate Rainey, Preston Gamster, Kelsey Kovar, Dewitt Brookins, Grace Pippin, Caleb Jameson, Caydence Gonzalez, Casey Reiniche, and Grace Moore.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
