Alumni Spotlight - Kielind Jim ”I came to Jones Academy in 2011 following my 7th grade year. It was a new experience for me as it was my first time living away from home, away from my mom and my grandma. But, it was an experience that I needed to help me gain the confidence to do things I wanted to do. It also sparked my interest in my culture, and I learned a lot from my friends from Mississippi that I probably wouldn't have learned on my own if I hadn't come to Jones. The friend experience that I had there was amazing, and the memories I had will live with me forever. There was happiness, triumph, success, and heartbreak, but everything I learned and experienced helped me grow and shape me into the person that I am today. My favorite time at Jones Academy was probably the Thanksgiving meal that we shared with all the students. There was a time when we all sat down and enjoyed the meal together, from the little kids up to the seniors, and just the smiles and laughter that roared from the cafeteria was an amazing thing to see. A lot of the friends that I made at Jones became family to me, and the staff made it a second home. I will never forget the staff who helped raise me into the man I am today. Some are still at Jones, some have moved on in their careers or their lives, and some are no longer with us, but I will forever cherish the lessons that they taught me. I started the Jones Academy stickball team in 2014 after we had students from Mississippi and around Choctaw Nation who wanted to play. But we couldn't get on any other community team, so I talked to Brad Spears at the time, and he told me that I needed to sacrifice that last season and be a coach if we were going to make this work. I did, and we came out on top that year, our first year as a team in the Choctaw Nation Youth League, and we came out as champions. It was an amazing season, and the very last game was down to the wire. But I can still see that shot in my head, the excitement from everybody on the sidelines. My most memorable years were my junior and senior years. A lot happened in those years that shaped my future, from ACT prep to the dreaded history project in my junior year. I decided to quit athletics my junior year and try to focus more on my culture because I couldn't do both, and it helped me have this drive to learn and teach my culture. Even though all the terrible things you may hear about boarding schools and all the history that comes with them, Jones Academy was different, and I think different is what some of us needed. I currently work as an Archaeological Technician, Cultural Advisor, and GIS Analyst for the Choctaw Nation in Durant, OK since November 2020. In this role, I specialize in using tools and techniques to document our cultural heritage and ensure that people are represented and documented accurately. I input data gleaned from artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations into the internal database for additional scientific analysis. I assess artifacts and note physical properties in exact detail, inspect, date, and authenticate material evidence, and document information for research purposes. I maintain compliance with record-keeping standards, documentation processes, and chain-of-custody requirements. I write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences. I explain the cultural, physical, and social development of humans based on data compiled from literature and field research. I build lasting professional relationships with fellow archaeologists through information sharing and effective communication, promoting advancements in the field through collaboration and collective research. I produce in-depth reports and publish findings via papers in field journals. I enhance my knowledge of cultures by conducting field studies and by practicing indigenous archaeology. I am grateful to Jones Academy and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for their support as I have reached many heights in my life and career. Yakoke."
Our UNITY Youth Council and students made Jones Academy ornaments for the Elders in our area. Nittak Hullo Chito Na Yukpa!
(Merry Christmas)
Today was an exciting day at Jones Academy as we celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine! This vending machine aims to motivate students to reach their reading goals and build their own personal libraries. Students will earn books for various achievements and receive a coin to use in the vending machine to select a book for themselves. The purchase of this vending machine was made possible by a grant awarded by the Institute of Libraries and Museum Services (IMLS), and we are grateful for their support!
Pictured are Robert Ray, Elementary Principal, Sierra McAfee, Librarian, Sonia Donaires, Library Assistant, and our two first coin recipients, Bella Hatcher and Amarae Stout. These two students achieved a remarkable feat by filling up their Book Buddies Book this semester and reading 36 books, all while passing their tests with flying colors! Congratulations to Bella and Amarae for their dedication to reading and their hard work!
October Students of the Month
Nakos Plentybears is a proud member of the southern Arapaho and Seminole tribes. He enjoys running track, playing basketball, and hanging out with his friends. His plans for the future include graduating high school, and going to college for a degree in athletic training. While in college he plans to run track.
Fichik Willis is a proud member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. In her free time she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, spending time in the gym, and shooting hoops. When she graduates she plans to attend Fort Lewis College to major in criminal justice and study pre-law to become an attorney.
Xhavian Rhoades is a 1st grade student in Mrs. Ketchum's class. Xhavian is a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. His favorite color is blue, and he enjoys playing stickball in his free time. When Xhavian grows up, he wants to join the Army and be an "Army Man".
Mariah Bloomer is a 3rd grade student in Mrs. Well's class and is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She enjoys painting, coloring, and reading. Her favorite color is blue. Mariah wants to be a teacher when she grows up!
Jones Academy high school students attended the annual Choctaw College Connect fair in Durant, OK on Saturday, NOV 4, 2023. Students were able to meet with representatives from 63 universities and colleges including delegates from the Department of Labor. Participants were also eligible to win several scholarship awards. The event was sponsored by the CNO Higher Education Department. We want to express our gratitude to the Choctaw Nation for providing opportunities like this for students from all backgrounds to dream about and explore their possibilities.
Jones Academy superintendent Patrick Moore made a presentation to the elementary students about the traditions and workings of Powwow dancing. In paying homage to Native American Month, his lesson shed light on the importance and reverence of tribal customs and rituals. He brought beautifully crafted regalia with intricate designs that drew respect and awe from his young audience. The ceremonial dressings are part of his clothing that Mr. Moore wears during tribal dances. A shout out to Mr. Moore for his passion to inspire the next generations of Powwow dancers.
The SSC hosted a UNITY sponsored STEAM event by having a pumpkin painting contest. The top 3 winners received a snack basket and their pumpkins were on display for the Halloween holiday in the SSC.
Jones Academy middle and high school students spent an entire day at the Six Flag Over Texas theme park during fall break. Students enjoy various attractions, rides, and food at the family amusement park. Fun was had by all! The kids’ faces tell it all.
As part of Native American Heritage Month, elementary students took part in an art project during their Choctaw Language Class that centered around the Native American Code Talkers of World War 2. They learned the history of the code talkers with a presentation by the instructors of the class.
Jones Academy's librarian, Sierra McAfee, and program manager, Joy Tribbey, recently had the opportunity to present at the 2023 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums. Mrs. McAfee shared how the academy's library is bridging the gap in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and literacy, and how it has been networking with other educators to share ideas and bring new opportunities for students. One of the highlights of the conference was meeting Chickasaw tribal member and astronaut, John Herrington, who signed a copy of his book, Mission to Space, for the students. It was also highlighted that the library is funded by grants through the Institute of Museums and Library Services. Yakoke to the conference for inviting us!
PSA: Jones Academy will be performing testing on our warning system today beginning at noon, 11/07. We wanted to inform local residents as we’ve been informed that it can be heard from a good distance away.
Jones Academy students held a demonstration of the traditional game of stickball as one of the many activities being used to observe National American Indian Heritage Month. The students held the demonstration of the sport Friday, November 3 at Hartshorne High School practice football field and interacted with Hartshorne elementary, middle school and high school students.
Sixty-three former Jones Academy students attended the alumni reunion on Saturday, OCT 21. The group toured the dorms and campus and had lunch. The museum was also opened for browsing. It was a time of warm fellowship, fun, and recounting fond memories.
Jones Academy high school students were invited to tour Eastern Oklahoma State College. Students met with college recruiters and department representatives to prepare for college life.
Two Jones Academy students and three staff spent fall break representing us at the National American Indian Science and Engineering Society conference in Spokane, Washington including a tour of Gonzaga University. The conference focuses on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, and math (STEM) studies and careers.
PSA: Jones Academy will be performing testing on our warning system tomorrow at noon, 10/24. We wanted to inform local residents as we’ve been informed that it can be heard from a good distance away.
Jones Academy Elementary Basketball
September Students of the Month
Dreshawn Williams is a senior from Mississippi. He is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian. He enjoys playing sports, especially stickball. When he graduates, he plans on going to college and becoming a constructional engineer.
Kelli Williams is a nineth grader from Mississippi. She is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian. Her hobbies include reading, working out, playing basketball, listening to music, hanging out with her friends, and doing her prayers and devotionals. Her plans for the future include graduating high school, going to college and getting into law school. She isn't quite sure what occupation she wants to pursue as of now, but she knows she wants to give back to her people and to help them in any way she can.
Jaxtin Hatcher is a 1st grade student in Mrs. Ketchum's class. Jaxtin is a Choctaw Nation tribal member. His favorite color is red, and he enjoys playing sports and going fishing. When he grows up, he wants to be a police officer.
Addilynn "Rose" Hutchinson is a 3rd grade student in Mrs. Well's class and is a member of the Seminole Tribe. She enjoys drawing and playing basketball. Her favorite color is yellow. Rose wants to be a police officer when she grows up.
Jones Academy UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) Council Officers.
President - Isabel Lujano
Vice President - Cylas Baker
Secretary - Carlyle Josay
Treasurer - Adrian Perez
Member at Large - Whitney Grizzle
Member at Large - Anthony Robinson
Member at Large - Adi Montejo
UNITY’s Mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native youth, and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement.
Jones Academy 2023-24 - 6th Grade class
