October 22, 2026
91福利 continued its proud tradition of honoring creativity, leadership and dedication to the arts during the 2026 Homecoming ceremonies. This year鈥檚 Fine Arts and Communications Hall of Fame inductees, Jason Cale of Virginia Beach, Va., and Sharon Laird of Petal, exemplify the passion and excellence that define the Wildcat spirit and demonstrate how to live out their legacies.
鈥淲e are incredibly proud to induct Sharon and Jason into the 2026 Fine Arts Hall of Fame,鈥� said Dr. Trevor Hunt, Fine Arts and Communications Department Chair and Director of the Brownstone Center for the Arts. 鈥淭hey exemplify what it means to be a Wildcat through their character, dedication, accomplishments, and commitment to others. They represent the very best of 91福利, and we are honored to recognize the lasting impact they have made on our college and community. They are truly outstanding examples of what it means to be a Wildcat.鈥�
About the 2026 PRCC Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductees听
Jason Cale
Cale attended PRCC from 1994 to 1996, forging a strong foundation for his career as a professional musician defined by versatility, discipline and artistic expression. He was a member of The Spirit of the River Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Archie Rawls, performing on the trombone and guitar. He was also a member of the choral program under Dr. Mark Malone.听
When Cale arrived at The River, he didn鈥檛 have the confidence in himself that he has now. What he received over two years was a strong foundation for believing in himself and trusting his musical ear.
鈥淥ne of my fondest memories is the first time I really sang in front of people, with my own voice, at a band talent show,鈥� said Cale. 鈥淭hat is when I got the bug to truly explore my voice. The different choirs I was part of gave me so many opportunities to grow musically and to trust my ear. I am very grateful to Dr. Malone and Mr. Rawls.鈥�
Cale spent more than 20 years as a professional musician with the U.S. Army and Air Force bands, performing around the world and representing his country through music before retiring after a 26-year military career. He is an accomplished performer, producer, educator and leader of the Jason Cale Band based in Virginia Beach, Va. The band considers their musical sound to be 鈥渟wampfunk,鈥� a rich blend of soulful blues-rock, gritty New Orleans funk, and jazz fusion.
鈥淚t is humbling to remember the young man I was at Pearl River and compare him to who I am today as a man and a musician,鈥� said Cale. 鈥淚 think of the teachers and friends I made there, and the peers who are still my friends now, and I can see how much of my success started with the lessons I learned there. I had teachers I looked up to, teachers who cared, and teachers who encouraged me to explore not just the guitar, but my voice and my creativity.鈥�
Sharon Laird
Laird came to PRCC from Sumrall High School. At The River, she performed in the Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band and served as trumpet section leader of the Wildcat Marching Band. She continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a member of the Wind Ensemble, was trumpet section leader of the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, studied trumpet with Alan Cox and studied conducting with Dr. Thomas Fraschillo.
Laird credits Archie Rawls’ visit to Sumrall High School with her choice to attend PRCC.
鈥淣ot only did Archie help me learn how to be a band director and a teacher and a pretty good theory student, but he also introduced me to my life partner,鈥� said Laird. 鈥淪o that’s pretty monumental.鈥�
Laird spent more than 30 years in public school education, including Oak Grove High School, West Jones, Taylorsville, Magee and Italy, Texas. As band director for 20 years at Oak Grove High School, she led the program to statewide recognition. She spent several years on the staff of the Mississippi Lions All-State Band as both Concert Director and Marching Director. During her tenure as Marching Director, the band won the 2019 Lions International Parade of Nations Championship in Milan, Italy.
Leaving Mississippi, Laird served as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Wisconsin鈥揈au Claire. While at UWEC, she assisted with the 475-member Blugold Marching Band, served as assistant conductor of the University Band and acted as an organizational liaison for the Blugold Band鈥檚 international performance tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Laird is currently enjoying semi-retirement while serving alongside her husband, Mark, as Band Director at Loyd Star Attendance Center. During their tenure, the Loyd Star Band has earned All-Superior ratings and received the Sweepstakes Award for the first time in the Lincoln County School District’s history.
Her professional honors include the National Band Association Citation of Excellence, recognition as a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award, the 2018 Mississippi Woman Band Director of the Year Award, the 2015 MHSAA Outstanding Music Educator Award and SEMBDA Outstanding Band Director of the Year awards in 1997 and 2015. She remains an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States.
鈥淎s I stood on the same field that I stood on in 1984 and 1985 as a student, I realized were it not for Pearl River, I wouldn’t have the life I have now,鈥� said Laird. 鈥淚 wouldn’t have the career I have now. I wouldn’t have my husband. I wouldn’t have my son. All of it started here.
鈥淚t hit me that, wow, this place truly changed my life. The Hall of Fame membership took on a whole new meaning when I realized what an impact the school had on me.鈥�
Article by Laura O’Neill.
