The 2025 Mr. and Miss Paris Junior College were announced during halftime of the men’s basketball game on Feb. 26, 2025. Five men and five women were nominated.
Each year PJC faculty and staff nominate students who are graduating sophomores with a minimum of 12 semester hours in the current semester. They must also have completed 45 hours and have at least a 2.75 GPA. The student body selects the winners from the ten nominees.
Laci Berecochea of Lakewood, California was named 2025 Miss PJC. She is a 2023 graduate of Lakewood High School and the daughter of Mike and Tammie Berecochea. She is a two-year member of the PJC softball team and was named 2024 National Junior College Athletic Association First Team All-Conference and All Region, NJCAA Second Team Academic All American, and to the PJC President’s List. She plans to transfer to the University of Texas – Tyler to pursue a degree in Kinesiology and continue playing softball. After graduation, she would like to become a paramedic and firefighter.
Named as 2025 Mr. PJC is Alex Martinez of Lewisville, Texas, is a 2023 graduate of Lewisville High School and is the son of Elizabeth Martinez. He is a two-year member of the men’s soccer team and participates in community service activities with his teammates. He plans on transferring to university to pursue his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
The other outstanding finalists included:
Navaeh “Navi” Brown of Columbia, Maryland, is a 2023 graduate of Old Mill High School and the daughter of Willena Redic. She is a two-year member of the women’s basketball team, an intern with the Paris Wesley Center, a First United Methodist Church nursery worker, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and named to the PJC Dean’s List and is active in the Student Government Association. She plans to attend a four-year university to continue playing basketball and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Kaley Eubanks of Brookston, Texas is a 2024 graduate of Chisum High School and the daughter of Jon and Taya Eubanks. She is a Texas Scholar, shows reining cow horses, and enjoys archery. She will graduate this spring and transfer to Tarleton State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in horticulture.
Connor Freeman of Austin, Texas is a 2023 graduate of Vandegrift High School and the son of Brian and Amy Freeman. He is a returning member of the baseball team, a 2024 Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was named to the PJC President’s List. He plans to transfer to a four-year university to continue playing baseball and pursue a degree in business.
Ciara Johnson of Red Oak, Texas is a 2023 graduate of Red Oak High School and the daughter or Raquel Duarte. She is a two-year member of the women’s soccer team and received Region XIV All Region Honorable Mention. She will continue her academic and athletic career at Grambling State University, majoring in criminal justice.
Eric Resendiz of Antlers, Oklahoma is a 2023 graduate of North Lamar High School in Paris and the son of Arron Mack and Kelly Mack. He is a two-year member of the cheerleading squad and has maintained a 4.0 GPA at PJC. He has volunteered for many community service activities while at PJC. He plans to transfer to Texas State University to pursue a degree in business management, with the goal of running his own business and achieving a master’s degree.
Hannah Scarcelli of Commerce, Texas is a 2024 graduate of Commerce High School and the daughter of Kim Scarcelli. She is a student worker at PJC, tutoring in anatomy and physiology. She plans to attend the nursing program at PJC, then transfer to East Texas A&M University – Commerce to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing to become a family nurse practitioner.
William Soignier of Shreveport, Louisiana is a 2022 graduate of Loyola College Prep and the son of Missie Poindexter. He is a two-year member of the PJC baseball team, a 2024 Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star selection, a member of Phi Theta Kappa (two-year college honor society), and has been named to the PJC Dean’s and President’s Lists. After Graduation, he plans to continue playing baseball at the university level.
Christopher Withrow of Chico, California is a 2003 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and the son of David Withrow and Gail McGowan. He is retired U.S. Army, a volunteer firefighter, President of Phi Theta Kappa, named to the PTK Texas All-State Academic Team, has been named to the Dean’s list, and is married and father to two daughters. He plans to transfer to East Texas A&M University – Commerce after graduation to pursue a master’s degree.
PJC-Nominees Cutline: Shown from left are the 10 PJC students nominated for 2025 Mr. & Miss PJC: Axel Martinez, Kaley Eubanks, Eric Resendiz, Ciara Johnson, William Soignier, Laci Berecochea, Connor Freeman, Navaeh Brown, Christopher Withrow and Hannah Scarcelli.
2025 Mr. & Miss PJC Cutline: Paris Junior College’s 2025 Mr. & Miss PJC are Axel Martinez and Laci Berecochea.
