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RAYMOND – Music isn’t just a passing interest for Carlee Edwards – it’s her passion to play and teach others around her at the same time.

Edwards, a Florence High School senior, plans to take her talents on the clarinet in the school’s musical ensembles to the ��«Ӱҵ Eagle Marching band, which provided some of the highlights at this year’s Thursday Night Lights pregame recruiting event Oct. 6.

Carlee Edwards, right, and her mother, Vicki Edwards, center, get information on the Honors Institute at ��«Ӱҵ from Cheryl Bozeman, left, recruiter and admissions secretary for the program and for Phi Theta Kappa, at the Thursday Night Lights recruiting event on the Raymond Campus on Oct. 6. (��«Ӱҵ/Tammi Bowles)

“My first band director in high school was so passionate about it,” Edwards said. “I want to keep inspiring kids and teach others.”

The recruiting event is a chance for prospective students and their families to [tweetable alt=””]find out about ��«Ӱҵ’ academic transfer programs and more than 80 career and technical program options.[/tweetable] Faculty and staff in booths set up across from Joe Renfroe Stadium offered an array of information on housing, athletics, honors program opportunities, and the college’s multitude of other activities outside of the classroom.

Kambrial Love, a Raymond High School senior, was on hand with a group of friends also interested in programs of study at ��«Ӱҵ.

“I’m trying for biology,” Love said. “I like knowing what’s going on around us every day.”

Groups of friends from area high schools often attend the Thursday Night Lights recruiting event each year on the Raymond Campus. Front row, from left, are Raymond High School seniors Jalisa Mosley, Ragean Russell, Kambrial Love; back row, from left, Jala Hunter, Tyihnna Johnson, Shamaria Singleton, Reneisha Sweet, Jasmine Moncure. (��«Ӱҵ/Tammi Bowles)

Prospects create an applicant profile and get on the college’s mailing list so they can be sent the latest updates on programs and services, plus other details such as deadlines for scholarship applications.

“Thursday Night Lights is a great event to come to because it’s both information and a lot of fun,” said Kathryn Cole, district director of Enrollment Services. “It’s one where you can just kick back and relax. We eat burgers, listen to the band, watch our Hi-Steppers and cheerleaders perform, and just have a good time.”

For more information on what ��«Ӱҵ can offer to upcoming high school graduates, go to and click on the Apply Now tab, Cole said.

The ��«Ӱҵ Eagle Marching Band, fronted by drum majors Justin Parker, of Vicksburg, Carley Spears, of Starkville, and Raven Turbeville, of Terry, marches to the Thursday Night Lights recruiting event Oct. 6 on the Raymond Campus. (��«Ӱҵ/Tammi Bowles)

��«Ӱҵ Eagle Marching Band drum major Justin Parker conducts the band while members of the cheerleading team ratchet up the spirit during a performance at the Thursday Night Lights recruiting event Oct. 6 on the Raymond Campus. (��«Ӱҵ/Tammi Bowles)

Myleah Woods, left, of Raymond, a Rebul Academy senior, enjoys the Thursday Night Lights recruiting event Oct. 6 at ��«Ӱҵ Raymond Campus with Kathryn Cole, director of Enrollment Services. (��«Ӱҵ/Tammi Bowles)