Welcome back, Jones Academy students! Last week's Back 2 School Bash was truly fantastic. A huge Yakoke to the Jones Academy Foundation donors for their generous contributions, making this event extra special for our students. Everyone had an amazing time!
Alumni Spotlight
Albert Cervantes attended Jones Academy and Hartshorne Schools from 2003 to 2007, where he completed his freshman through senior years. During his high school years, Albert was active in sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was also involved in the youth group at Cornerstone Baptist Church.
After graduating from high school, Albert pursued further education at Tulsa Welding School. He began his career at Dolese in Davis, Oklahoma, as a Maintenance Technician from 2008 to 2009. In April 2009, Albert married Sara Pope, who he had been dating since 2003, and they lived in Davis for a little under a year before relocating back to Hartshorne. They have one son, Aiden Cervantes, who is a Freshman at Hartshorne High School.
At the end of 2009, Albert was offered a position at Franklin Electric in Wilburton, where he worked as a Fabricator from 2009 to early 2015. In 2015, Albert started working at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant and was able to attend KTC, where he received several certifications in PLC Programming. From this point, he then transitioned to a role as an Industrial Electronic Control Technician and now specializes in FANUC Robotics Programming and PLC Programming.
In 2020, he started Cervantes Cattle Co. after acquiring land to establish a cattle business, which he continues to operate alongside his family. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and watching his son play sports.
Jones Academy was a blessing for Albert, and the experiences he had while living there made a huge and positive impact on his life. It was what he needed while he was there, and he has remained actively involved with Jones Academy, serving as the FCA leader for high school students.
“You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
― C.S. Lewis
Albert is a member of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Jones Academy participated with CNO Head Start and Childcare in this year’s Preservice and Education Bash that took place in Durant. With engaging speakers and fun activities organized by the admin team, a true sense of teamwork and purpose was inspired across the entire education system of the Choctaw Nation. The theme for the week was superheroes showcasing that we all can make a difference in the children’s lives we encounter every day. During the education bash the festivities included pickleball, cornhole, bingo and 1 of the 3 Jones Academy teams taking the championship in volleyball.
Did you know Jones Academy has a Recreation Department that offers various activities for its students all year round? The department is located in the campus gym, which features a basketball court, weight room, game rooms and other amenities. Additionally, there are outdoor recreational areas such as softball and baseball fields, stickball fields, a pond for fishing and volleyball courts. The recreation staff works with the residential staff to plan activities that promote physical activity among the students.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JONES ACADEMY, PLEASE VISIT: JONESACADEMY.ORG
Did you know Jones Academy provides several career opportunities, employing nearly 200 Choctaw Nation associates? Among these associates, many serve as academic coaches, providing academic assistance to students 5 days a week. The administrative team works with all departments to ensure all services are provided at a high level.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JONES ACADEMY, PLEASE VISIT: JONESACADEMY.ORG
Congratulations Jones Academy Senior class 2024 for graduating today!
Kaya Zimiga joined other students on a GEAR UP trip to Silicon Valley, California exploring technology and engineering during a STEAM Academy.
EOSC GEAR UP recently took ten GEAR UP students and two teachers to the National STEAM Academy in Silicon Valley, CA, at Stanford University. The academy was hosted by Zion Leadership Group, Northeastern Illinois University, and Stanford University. The students dove into the future with an Underwater Robotics course taught by Aaron Cortes, Director of STEAM Pathways at Northeastern Illinois University. They explored cutting-edge technology, collaborated with experts, and toured the prestigious Stanford University! Students built an underwater robot and learned basic skills in engineering and coding. The students also visited the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39 in San Francisco.
The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP program. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017 and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.
EOSC GEAR UP poses for a picture at a water fountain at Stanford University. Pictured are: (left to right) Kaylee Ashley, Preston Fin, Boo Sanchez, Gracie Driskill, Kaya Zimiga, Abrianna Hudlow, Weldon Harrison, Chase Slone, Zackery Hurst, Steffan Kraft, and Andreas Bergljung.
EOSC GEAR UP pose for a picture while visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. Pictured are: front row (left to right) Keith Craig, Kaylee Ashley, Kaya Zimiga, Boo Sanchez, Chase Sloan, back row (left to right( Gracie Driskill, Zackery Hurst, Abrianna Hudlow, Weldon Harrison, Andreas Bergljung, and Preston Fin.
Several of our students took part in creating ribbon skirts. We extend our gratitude to Rowena Roberts, a parent of a Jones Academy student, for her facilitation and collaboration with our students. The skirts turned out wonderfully! Yakoke!
We had an amazing time exploring the great outdoors with presenters from Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the US Forest Service! Our learning stations covered heritage, wildlife, fire safety, timber, conservation education, and botany/Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). From mock archaeology digs to wildlife tracking and fire prevention techniques, there was something for everyone. Thanks to all who joined us for this enriching experience! 🌲🔥🌿 #OutdoorEducation #ChoctawNation #USForestService
PSA: Jones Academy will be testing its warning system today at noon.
-March Student of the Month-
Evan Prock is a 4th grade student in Mrs. Guthrie's class. Evan is a Choctaw Nation tribal member. His favorite color is red, and he enjoys playing outside and jumping on the trampoline. When Evan grows up, he wants to be a police officer.
Nelcine "Rosie" Burris is a 5th grade student in Mrs. Holeman's class. Rosie is a member of the Ponca Tribe. Her favorite colors are pink and red, and she enjoys drawing, writing, coloring, singing, dancing, and playing with friends. When Rosie grows up, she wants to be a doctor.
Malakai Franklin is a ninth grader and a proud member of the Muscogee Creek tribe of Oklahoma. In his free time, he enjoys boxing, weightlifting, playing video games and basketball with his friends. His plans for the future include graduating high school, going to trade school to become a welder, then attending truck driving school and college to obtain a business degree to one day open his own welding and truck driving business.
Amelia Ellison is a ninth grader and a proud member of the Kickapoo tribe. In her free time, she loves to play video games, draw, paint, watch youtube videos and netflix movies, she also loves hanging out with her friends and family and to play volleyball. Her plans for the future include graduating high school, go to college, get a good job, make lots of money, and to live life to the fullest.
Elementary fought hard to allow Michael Bloomer to score 1 to keep it 1-1 until late in 4th when the Chikasha Bak Bak scored 2 making it 3-1.
Big Kids played short 3 players while Chikasha Bak Bak had 20 players on field & scored 5-0 by end of 1st half but played hard all the way to the end holding them at 5 points.
Looking to the future!! Jones Academy Juniors and Seniors paid a visit to Haskell Indians Nations University on Friday, April 12 in Lawrence, Kansas. Students met with school representatives to discuss academics, student life, housing, and financial aid. The tribal school has served Native American students since 1884. With low tuition, room and board costs the university provides an affordable education for many Native American youth. Our students were able to tour the facility and campus grounds on a picturesque spring day. Three graduating seniors from Jones Academy are registered to attend classes in the fall of 2024.
Students from Jones Academy competed in the Botball state competition on Saturday the 6th. Coached by Zach Duffy, Dreshawn and Fichik took 10th place of 64 and were awarded the Judges Choice Award. Botball is a great way to learn coding while having fun competing and engaging with others from around the world.
Dance the night away! Prom night for JA students started with dinner at Captain John's in McAlester then proceeded to the Hartshorne School Prom then back to Jones Academy with a dance to end the night. It was a fun time for the students and staff!
Ready, Set, GO!!!! Saturday, April 13th, Jones Academy hosted the Spring Warrior Run 5k fundraiser for the 2024 Senior class trip. Participants were able to run or sponsor a child to run. Racers ran a path around the sprawling campus of Jones Academy starting and ending at the gym. The event was timed and 1st-3rd places were awarded in several categories. Elementary students also took part in a fun run that followed the same path as the timed event. Thank you to all you participated and made it a great event.
Darion, Carlyle and Adrian competed in the OKSE League (Oklahoma Scholastics Esports) playing Apex Legends against 16 teams. At the end of the 5 game competition they achieved 3rd place overall. It was a close 5th game with 4 teams, Jones Academy included, being eligible for the championship.
They qualified for the state competition by getting 5th place out of 51 teams in the Scissortail Division having monthly tournaments that started in January.
PSA: Jones Academy will be testing its warning system today at noon.
🌞🌕 Today's the day! Our young astronomers watched the solar eclipse of 2024! 🌑🔭 Excitement fills the air as elementary and high school students gather with their eclipse glasses, eager to witness this incredible celestial event together! 🎉✨ #SolarEclipse2024 #FutureAstronomers #STEMeducation 🚀🔍
Do you know the eligibility requirements to be admitted to Jones Academy? To be eligible for admission, students must be a member of a federally recognized tribe and are required to be in good standing with the school they are transferring from. The admissions committee, made up of administrative and management staff, carefully evaluates all applications to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for admission.
