JA Writerswww.jonesacademy.org

Serving Native Americans Concerned With The Education of Native American Children May 2011 Issue

Jones Academy Class of 2011

Journalism Workshop

National Library Week

Jones Academy Awards Bow Making

Super Students

Nature at its Best!

Soft Seven

Ninth Grade GraduationLivestock Shows

Family Day at JA

JA Writers Say Farewell

Caught Being Good

De-Jay Wyly Destiny Mathis

Shaylin Pedro White Buffalo

Gavin Smith

Jacona Thlocco-Deere

Jaren Richards

Tracey Tiger Dakota Estrada

Danielle Cruz

Kayla John

Koty Duran

Class of 2011

Jones Academy Graduates- Hartshorne High held its graduation ceremony on May 16th. Among the graduates were eleven students who reside at Jones Academy. Congratulations to all our graduates! They are:Koty Collin DuranKoty is the eighteen year-old son of Tina Gasper of Zuni, NM and the late Aaron Duran. His is the grandson of Madeline Lowsayatee of Zuni, NM and the late Anson Gasper, Shirley Duran of Tesuque, NM and the late Joseph Duran. Koty is a member of the Pueblo of Tesuque Tribe. He has enlisted in the U.S. Marine CorpsShaylin Pedro-White BuffaloShaylin, age seventeen, is the daughter of Melissa Pedro and Derwin Lime of El Reno, OK. She is the granddaughter of Phyllis and Ed Naranjo of Ibapan, UT and Virgil Pedro of El Reno. Special recognition goes to Melvin Roman Nose of El Reno, who has encour-aged Shaylin throughout her life and educational endeavors. He has been a mentor and “grandpa” to her. Shaylin was a member of the Hartshorne High School yearbook staff and the Learn and Serve Program at Jones Academy. She is an enrolled member of Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. She plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University and pursue a career in nursing. Shaylin was a co-recipient of the Robert Woods Scholarship Award for 2011. Jaren Trae RichardsJaren is the eighteen year-old grandson of Elaine Gibson of Antlers, OK. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He has attended Hartshorne Public Schools for six and a half years. Jaren was a member of the varsity football, track and power lifting teams. He is scheduled to attend classes in the fall at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and major in criminal justice. Jaren was the co-recipient of the Robert Woods Scholarship Award for 2011.Gavin Keith SmithEighteen year old Gavin Smith is the son of Teresa Daniel of Wewoka, OK and David Daniel of Woodland, TX. He is the grandson of Violet Louise Daniel and David Daniel of Idabel, OK and Edward and Grace Smith of Seminole, OK. Gavin is a member of the Semi-nole Nation of Oklahoma. He has attended Hartshorne Public Schools for seven years. He was an active member of the high school band for 3 years and also part of the JA Writers and the Jones Academy newsletter staff. He is enrolled at Seminole State College where he will be a full-time student this fall.Kayla Denise JohnKayla is the 18 year-old daughter of Alan John from Conehatta, MS. She is the granddaughter of Evelyn John of MS. Kayla is a mem-ber of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribe. She has attended Hartshorne High School for 2 years and has been active in girls’ varsity basketball and track. Kayla made the All-Tournament Team at Tushka, OK and the Black Diamond All-Conference First Team in 2011. Kayla plans to attend classes in the fall at Haskell Indian Nations University. Tracey Cierra TigerTracey is the eighteen year-old daughter of the late Diane Tiger of McAlester, OK and the late Gary Tiger of Shawnee, OK. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She has attended Hartshorne Public Schools for eight years. She has been active in student council and varsity basketball. She made the Principal’s Honor Roll. Tracey’s honors also include making the Basketball All-Tournament Team twice and All-Conference player her junior year. She would like to pursue a career as a court room stenographer.Dakota Miguel EstradaDakota is the seventeen-year-old son of Pamela Estrada of Pickens, OK and Jesus Estrada of Houston, TX. He is the grandson of Patricia and Floyd Choate of Pickens, OK. Dakota was a member of the varsity football and power lifting teams. He also was active in yearbook and the Upward Bound Program. Dakota is a member of the Choctaw Nation of OK. After graduation, he will attend classes at Southeastern Oklahoma State University for two years and then transfer to the University of Oklahoma to finish a degree in engi-neering.De-Jay WylySeventeen year old De-Jay Wyly is the son of Mary and Alfred Wyly, of Kansas, OK. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Okla-homa. He has been a resident of Jones Academy and attended Hartshorne Public Schools for seven years. De-Jay was a member of the Gifted and Talented Program and graduated fifth in his senior class. He also participated in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. De-Jay has enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Destiny Elaine MathisDestiny, age 18, is the daughter of Cynthia Adams of Poteau, OK; and Randall Mathis of Talihina, OK. She is the granddaughter of Linda Watson of Talihina, OK and Daniel and Rotha Mathis of Leflore, OK. Destiny is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Okla-homa. She has attended Hartshorne Public Schools for 4 years. She is enrolled at Seminole State College where she will attend classes this fall. Jacona Thlocco-DeereJacona is the seventeen-year-old son of Autumn Thlocco and George Deere of Oklahoma City.His grandparents are Bryant and Constance Thlocco of Kansas City, MO. He is a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. After graduation, Jacona plans to be gainfully employed.Danielle Bobbie-Michelle CruzDanielle is the seventeen-year-old daughter of John and Angela Cruz of San Juan Pueblo, NM. She is a member of the Ohkay Owingeh Tribe. Shelby was on the Principal’s Honor Roll this year and a member of the high school softball team. She is interested in pursuing a career in cosmetology.

Many family members celebrated with the graduates, as did Marvin Trujillo’s.

Braums was the ideal place to celebrate graduation. Just ask Loriell Reyas and Sabryna Newbreast Black.

Some of the graduates opted for more healthy choices. Holly Anderson and Shanice War chose salads instead of ice cream.

Brandon Anderson strikes his famous Muscle pose after treating himself to a double dip of chocolate ice cream served in a waffle cone.

Diplomas and Double Dipped Cones For Ninth Grade Graduates

Hartshorne Junior High School held it’s ninth grade graduation on May 17th. Among the graduates were twenty-one residents of Jones Academy. Graduating from the ninth grade were: Holly Anderson Billie Jo NunnBrandon Anderson Alisha PiconeEthan Begaye Joshua QualoDaykotaa Elizondo Loriell ReyasJordan Estrada Lee ScottDaniel Gurrola Bennie SimpsonAlan Harjo Breanna ToledoEleasah Horton Marvin Trujillo, Jr.Toynel Mesteth Shanice War Anthony Miller Shiela Williams.Sabryna Newbreast Black

Following the graduation ceremony the graduates were treated to an ice cream party at Braums. Way to go Ninth Graders!

Jones Elementary

Academy Awards 2010-2011

Girls BoysAcademic Excellence Shelby Tushka Zander Thomas and Bryan HawkinsMost Improved Daisica Rice Melvin Birthmark and Zachery BennettMost Athletic Tikeshia McMillan Sylis Crockett and Joe SimpsonGood Citizen Felicity LeFlore Jeremy Pitts and Enrique GuerreroTop Ag Student Daisica Rice Kyle MillerBest All-Around Mariella Chatkehoodle Hector Bernal and McGavyne LoneBest Rooms Shianne Myer Mariella Chatkehoodle Cody Clark and Cory Whitecalf Felicity LeFlore Charletta White Hawk Gabriela Bernal Odalys Lujano Xynissa Thlocco-Deere Xyniah Thlocco-Deere

Honor RollJenaro Lujano Jeremy PittsMelina Tushka Truvon WillisJose Lainez-Ortiz Gabriela BernalZander Thomas McGavyne LoneElkMadison Cheek Daisica RiceLastenia Lainez-Ortiz Shelby TushkaHector Bernal Xynissa Thlocco-DeereOdalys Lujano Ashton WiseDiaz Moore Vanisa CrockettKaylen Panteah Shianne Myers Xyniah Thlocco -Deere Mariella Chatkehoodle Lena Goodbear Cody Clark Kyle Miller Enrique GuerreroDesma Valdez Bryan Hawkins Corey Whitecalf Felicity LeFloreSylis Crockett Joe Simpson

Perfect Attendance 4th nine weeksJenaro Lujano Gabriela BernalLastenia Lainez-Ortiz Shelby TushkaMelina Tushka Xynissa Thlocco-DeereZander Thomas Daisica Rice Melvin Birthmark McGavyne LoneElkJose Lainez-Ortiz Mariella ChatkehoodleOdalys Lujano Cody ClarkXyniah Thlocco-Deere Joe SimpsonHector Bernal Taron WiseKaylen Panteah Enrique GuerreroEthan Thomas Ethan Thomas

Learn and Serve Awards1st/ 2nd grade 3rd/4th grade 5th grade 6th gradeJenaro Lujano Aaron Alvizo Ashton Wise Bryan HawkinsMadison Cheek Corey Whitecalf Charletta White Hawk Cody ClarkMelina Tushka Desma Valdez Daisica Rice Felicity LeFloreMelvin Birthmark Diaz Moore Gabriela Bernal Jacinda ButlerZander Thomas Ethan Thomas McGavyne LoneElk Joe Simpson Gabriella Chatkehoodle Shelby Tushka Mariella Chatkehoodle Hector Bernal Shianne Myers Taron Wise Jeremy Pitts Tikeshia McMillan Zachary Bennett Kaylen Panteah Vanisa Crockett Kyle Miller Xynissa Thlocco-Deere Lena Goodbear Odalys Lujano Sylis Crockett Truvon Willis Xyniah Thlocco-Deere

Jones High School

Academy Awards 2010-2011

High School Students Junior High StudentsAcademic Excellence Melissa Sam and De-Jay Wyly Holly Anderson and Ethan BegayeMost Improved: Shalane Black and Gavin Smith Cortnie Crockett and Josh QualoMost Athletic Kayla John and Jaren Richards Alisha Picone and Bennie SimpsonGood Citizen Tasina Lone Elk Lilianna Bernal and Anthony MillerTop Ag Student BJ Nunn and Tyler DressmanBest All-Around Destiny Mathis and Jaren Richards Holly Anderson and Ethan BegayeSr. Longest At JA Tracey Tiger and De-Jay Wyly

Best Rooms High School Girls Jr. High Girls North Hall Boys South Hall Danielle Cruz Meleah Butler Deshaun Suetopka Garcia Dilon Shirley Shaylin White Buffalo Liliana Bernal Josh Qualo Chiv Begaye

Alternative Learning Center AwardsOutstanding Student- Lakota Dixon and Joshua SamOutstanding English Student- Lakota Dixon and Gavin SmithOutstanding Science Student- Lakota DixonOutstanding Math Student- Joshua SamOutstanding History Student- Joshua SamPerfect Attendance- Mariss SmithOutstanding Journalism Student-Brandon AndersonOutstanding Photographer- Brylee LaFaunceOutstanding Writer- Gavin Smith

A and B Honor RollKendale Willie Holly Anderson Lakota DixonSabryna Newbreast Black Daykotaa Elizondo Melody WillisAnthony Miller Alisha Picone Daniel CruzCaitlin Allen Cheyenne NealMelissa Sam Joshua SamDakota Estrada Jaren RichardsTracey Tiger De-Jay WylyBillie Jo Nunn Shaylin White Buffalo

Caught Being Good!

OCTOBERCourtney Wallace,

Caitlin AllenLiliana Bernal

NOVEMBER Joseph Simpson,

Shiela Williams Enrique Guerrero (No Photo)

DECEMBER Marvin Trujillo,

Courtney Wallace Maleah Butler (No Photo)

JANUARYDavid Gordon,

Zachary Bennett Alan Harjo (No Photo)

APRIL Dakota Estrada,Cortnie Crockett,

Shane Black (No Photo)

FEBRUARY Dilon Shirley, Andi Picon,

Courtney Wallace

MARCHGavin Smith, Kielind Jim,

Isaac Dixon

SEPTEMBERBryan Goodbear, ShalaneBlack, Chiv Begaye, Justin

Jefferson

AUGUSTJoseph Simpson,

Elisa Reyes

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Images are low-resolution, are not color-managed, and do not reflect final quality.

Copyright © Jostens Inc, 2011

Jones Academy 4-H students competed at the Pittsburg County Jr. Livestock show held at the McAlester Expo March 2nd-5th. Billie Jo Nunn captured the top title of Grand Champion market swine at the Pittsburg County Jr. Livestock show. Her barrow “Black Head” placed 1st in class III Hampshire division. He was selected as Breed Champion Hampshire and was then chosen as Grand Champion Market hog overall. “Black Head” was bred and raised at Jones Academy. Billie Jo is a ninth grader at Jones Academy. She is an academic honors student and was recently named salutatorian of her freshman class at Hartshorne Jr. High. She is from Sallisaw, Oklahoma and is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation.

Jones Academy 4-H students that exhibited a breed champion or reserve breed champion at this event were:• Kirklan Loman Breed Champion Berkshire• Brandon Anderson Breed Champion Chester• Courtney Wallace Breed Champion Spot• Gabriella Bernal Reserve Breed Champion Chester• Liliana Bernal Reserve Breed Champion Hampshire• Mariella Chatkehoodle Reserve Breed Champion Spot

Other Jones Academy 4-H students participating at this event were Bryan Goodbear, Tyler Dressman, Cheyenne Neal, Andi Picone, Ashton Wise, Joe Simpson, Cody Clark, Enrique Guerrero, Zack Bennett, Desma Valdez, Daisica Rice, Shelby Tushka, Dawnee Begay, Taron Wise, Jacinda Butler, Arceli Ortiz, Felicity LeFlore and Lena Goodbear.

Special thanks to Chief Pyle, Assistant Chief Batton, and the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council for their continued support of our youth.

Brandon Anderson, a ninth grader from the Jones Academy 4 – H Club, exhibited the 1st Place Class III Chester Barrow and Reserve Breed Champion Chester overall at the Oklahoma Youth Expo on March 16th – 21st in Oklahoma City, OK. Brandon’s Chester Barrow was the overall champion out of 250 Chester barrows competing at the OYE. This event is the world’s largest junior livestock Show with over 2400 market barrows participating. A total of only 65 market barrows qualified for premium sale honors. Brandon and his barrow “Second Chance” were among the very elite group selected for this honor. This barrow was bred and raised at Jones Academy. Brandon is a member of the Choctaw Nation and is from Camp Verde, Arizona

Cheyenne Neal, a sophomore from the Jones Academy 4 – H Club, showed the 1st Place Class VIII Hampshire Barrow at the Oklahoma Youth Expo. Cheyenne won first place competing against 46 other exhibitors throughout the state in her weight class. Her entry was selected as Reserve Champion Division I Hampshire. Cheyenne and her barrow “Warrior” went on to qualify for the premium sale. Warrior was named the eighth Hampshire barrow overall. There were 16 weight classes of Hampshires, and more than 750 Hampshire barrows competing at this event. Only 16 Hampshire barrows were selected for the premium sale honors. “Warrior” was bred and raised at Jones Academy. Cheyenne is Mississippi Choc-taw from Davis, OK. She is a member of the Hartshorne Miner Cheerleading team, enjoys raising and showing her swine projects, and riding horses at Jones Academy.

Other Jones Academy 4 – H students participating in the Oklahoma Youth Expo were Tyler Dressman and Billie Jo Nunn. Tyler Dressman exhibited a 2nd Place Class III Yorkshire Barrow. Billie Jo Nunn showed both ninth place and a seventh place Hampshire barrows. Jones Academy 4-H students appreciate Chief Pyle, Assistant Chief Batton and Choctaw Nation Tribal Council for their continued support at livestock premium sales.

OYE- Oklahoma Youth Expo

Brandon Anderson (center) is pictured here with his Chester Bar-row, “Second Chance” who qualified for the premium sale.

Cheyenne Neal (third left) with her Hamp Barrow “Warrior” who also qualified for the premium sale.

Jones Academy Super Students

Super students for the 4th quarter of the 2010-2011 school year at Jones Academy are:Left to right- Shianne Myers, 5th grade; Mariella Chatkehoodle, 6th grade; Truvon Willis, 4th grade; Gavin Smith, Senior at Campus Alternative School; Odalys Lujano, 3rd grade; Zander Thomas, 2nd grade; McGavyne Lone Elk, 5th grade; Madison Cheek, 2nd grade; and Bryan Hawkins, 6th grade. Congratulations to our Super Students. We are so proud of your hard work and dedication.

Soft

Seven

AwArdS

Students who participated in the Soft Seven Program for the 2010-2011 school year have received awards upon completion of the program. Receiving a Newton award is Zander Thomas. The Following students received Einstein awards: Diaz Moore Odalys Lujano Xyniah Thlocco-Deere Kaylen Panteah Ethan Thomas Truvon Willis Jeremy Pitts Sylis Crockett Corey Whitecalf Desma ValdezLena Goodbear Kyle Miller Shianne Myers Ashton Wise Gabriela BernalVanisa Crockett Daisica Rice Shelby Tushka Jacinda Butler Taron WiseEnrique Guerrero Joe Simpson Bryan Hawkins Cody Clark Felicity LeFloreMariella Chatkehoodle McGavyne Lone Elk Xynissa Thlocco-Deere

Elementary students Ethan Thomas, Kyle Miller and Lena Goodbear proudly display their Einstein Awards.

Nature At

Its Best!!

!!

Students got the opportunity to look at several stuffed animals and hides at the museum.

There were a lot of artifacts that the students could pick up and look at such as animal horns, claws, and shells.

Each group went on a nature hike that ended at the lake. They learned about edible plants on their nature walk.

It was a cold, windy day on Friday the 13th , but despite superstitions Jones Academy’s elementary and alternative school students loaded up on a big orange bus. Destina-tion- the nature center in Eufala. As we got off the bus we were split into two groups. My group went on a nature hike on the Harjo Trail. We we learned about bugs, trees, fungus, and a lot of interesting facts such as: Did you know that the Monarch Butterfly is poisonous, and did you know that you can eat some fungus? After the hike on Harjo Trail, we went to the museum. There were a lot of real animals there that had been stuffed by a taxidermist. They were beautiful and had been posed to look like they were alive. One of the favorites was the mountain lion.At the museum we learned more about the animals and how impor-tant they are to our environment. The nature guide taught us to re-spect nature and its friends who take care of it. Even the teachers who attended the event learned a few things. We all had a good time and look forward to going again sometime.

By Elisa Reyes

National Library Week

-April 10th- 16th-

Bow Making- A Native American Tradition

Recently Mr. Leo Garvin and Mr. Les Willison came to Jones Academy Elementary School to show the students how to make hunting Bows. During the pre-sentation Mr. Garvin showed the students Bows being made in various stages. We learned that Bows can be made of several different types of trees including the Black Locus, Hickory, and Elm. We also learned that if a snake skin is put on a Bow it will make it water proof. Another fact that we learned about Bows is that a homemade Bow do not make a noise when an arrow is shot from it, as opposed to a compound bow.After the presentation students were allowed to look at many of the hides and Bow making tools that Mr. Garvin and Mr. Willison have collected over the years.When asked what students enjoyed the most about the presentation, Ashton Wise, 5th grader at JA said he enjoyed watching Mr. Willison carve a Bow. Several students thought it was cool that these men knew how to carve Bows themselves without any instructions. The main message that these men brought to Jones Academy is that we need to bring back our old tradi-tions concerning nature so that our culture doesn’t die.

By Lakota Dixon

Mr. Garvin shows his audience how to take aim with a bow without using a commercial site.

National Library week is celebrated across the nation April 10th-16th and Jones Academy Elementary did it’s part by celebrating at our school library. In recognition of our event theme; Bears, the library received a Penworthy Bear from the Penworthy Book Company, which is the mascot for their company. Each contest held at the library also had a bear theme. Winners of the contests were:Guessing how many gummi bears are in the jar- 1st place-Tikeshia McMillan 2nd place-Xynissa Thlocco- Deere T-shirt Design - 1st place- Bryan Hawkins 2nd place-Daisica Rice 3rd place- Joseph Simpson Library Motto- 1st place- Ethan Thomas 2nd place- Sylis Crockett 3rd place-Lena Goodbear Coloring Contest 1st place-Lastenia Lainez-Ortiz 2nd place-Melina Birthmark 3rd place-Zander Thomas

Written by Brandon Anderson

(Information and photo courtesy of school

Librarian-Mrs Garvin.)

On April 16th at 4:00 a.m. Mrs. Cooley and three of the JA Writers, Joshua Sam, Gavin Smith and I, Ma-riss Smith departed from Jones Academy and began an adventure very much worth taking. We were headed to the Crazy Horse Memorial Journalism Workshop. The workshop was held at Crazy Horse Memorial in Custer, South Dakota. The mission of the workshop was to help the JA Writers to become better journal-ists. We went with open minds and later returned with a lot of much needed knowledge to help us hone our writing skills. After a long flight to Rapid City, we took a rental car to Custer. The first day we were there, we went site seeing and got to see Mt. Rushmore and Reptile gardens. It was a lot of fun. On the first day of the workshop we had to check in and get our name tags and schedules for the week. We were then introduced to our mentors. These were professional journalists and editors from famous newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune , The Indianapolis Star, and the Associated Press; who would be advising and teaching us new journalism skills while attending the workshop. We also got to enjoy the view of Crazy Horse Memorial. It was breathtaking. The next day we actually got to go up on the mountain that Crazy Horse is carved from to take a group photo. There were thirty-seven students from five different states attending the workshop. On the second day we went to work in the newsroom writing stories and making multimedia projects. The next day, we went to the Rapid City Journal and watched the newspaper that we created in class being published. It was neat to watch as the papers came out one by one containing the stories that we wrote and the photos that we took at Crazy Horse. The last day that we were a the workshop there was an awards assembly for seniors who earned journalism scholarships.This workshop was very educational and interesting. I learned far more than I thought I would. I learned how to be a better writer, picked up some tips on how to take better photos for my stories and learned more about how to effectively interview people without being shy. But overall what I brought back with me; is more confi-dence in my own writing and reporting skills.

Gavin Smith and Mariss Smith are pictured here with their mentor Danese Kenon. Miss Kenon is a photojournalist with the Indianapolis Star.

Josh Sam is pictured with mentor Val Hoeppner, who is the Educational Director at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mariss Smith, Josh Sam, and Gavin Smith got to see the Crazy Horse Memorial up close and personal during the Journalism Workshop. It was massive in size and the spirit of native pride engulfs the monument.

By Mariss Smith

The beauty of carving a mountain is extraordinary. The moment of the last blast is cherishable. Mount Rushmore, the first moun-tain carving ever in the United States;stands tall with the heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. As the JA Writers stepped forward to see this masterpiece, we literally stood there in amazement. We walked down the nature trail that leads to the base of the mountain and looked up at the faces. The human-like curves and depths were breathtaking. Moving on to the museum, we found knowledge and facts about the workers and the sculpture, Gutzen Borglum. Enter-ing the giftshop, one can find every souvenir imaginable. Within the building Native culture bead work and jewelry is displayed. Outside in the courtyard every state flag flies high on a pillar that displays its statehood date written in the stone.This place is truly amazing. When you arrive you can feel the pa-triotism in the air. It makes you proud to be an American.

This is the original planned scaled model of Mount Rushmore designed by Gutzen Borglum. It was later changed to add the fourth face.

This swing type scaffold hangs in the Mount Rushmore Museum. Workers hung off the side of the mount suspend-ed in the air while carving the facial features of the presidents.

These sculptures are scaled to the original faces on the mountain.

JA Writers Meet The Presidents

The JA Writers experienced a chance in a lifetime while they were in South Dakota for a journalism workshop. They could not pass up this opportunity to visit Mount Rushmore on their first day in Custer, South Dakota. It was Extraordinary!

By Joshua Sam

Layout Design Manager-Gavin Smith

Photographer- Brylee LaFaunce

“Bye y’all.I’ll miss Jones and all the cool activities. See you later! Seniors, I hope to see you down the road, in the near future. I hope I see a lot of my friends next year, please come back!!”

“I would like to say have a great summer. I’m going to miss JA and everyone one here. Gavin, I hope you have a great grown up life.”

“Have a great and safe summer. Hope to see you next year! I am going to miss all of the Seniors. Gavin, have a great life after high school!”

Reporter- Elisa Reyes

Bits Manager- Mariss Smith

“We done did everything they could think of. ‘Greatness is what we’re on the brink of.’ *See ya next year! Gavin, I’ll miss you!”

Reporter-Lakota Dixon

Reporter/Photographer- Brandon Anderson

* - Quote from Nikki Minaj song lyric

“Goodbye to my Journalism Friends. I will miss you all and the rest of my friends at Jones Academy!”

Photo Editor-Joshua Sam

“Farewell JA kids. Hope u have a great summer. Go ahead and make mistakes, but learn from them! Enjoy your flights!”

“Jones Academy has been a home to some of us. I am going to miss the friends and the people that I have met. Have a great summer!”

The JA Writers Summer

Farewell Shout Out.....

Family Day At Jones Academy

Approximately 250 to 300 parents, relatives, friends, alumni, and students attended the annual Family Day festivities at Jones Acad-emy on May 14, 2011. Families and friends visited the students at Jones Academy and spent a day of fun and food with their loved ones. Children as well as children at heart participated in several exciting indoor and outdoor activities. Attendees enjoyed the Tiki Rock Climb, a race car simulator, Dance Dance Revolution, the Fun Flush, a giant inflatable obstacle course, and various other games. Family portraits were also done dur-ing the festivities. Some families and friends traveled from as far away as New Mexico and Mississippi while others from Oklahoma utilized transportation provided by Jones Academy. Two meals and refreshments were also provided for the families throughout the day. The weather cooperated beautifully and everyone appeared to have a great time.

Everyone enjoyed the food that day!

There was even a shuttle to all the fun activities. Thanks Mr. Sam!

Joe Simpson, you’ve been dunked! Whoa, what a wild ride!

So,you think you can dance?If this is anything like the ladder to success, I’ve got it made!

This guy knows he can dance.He attended all the Jones Academy Dances this year! See ya next year!

By Mr. David Sanchez