MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM JONES ACADEMY

Inside This Issue...

The Warriors WordServing Native Americans Concerned With The Education Of Native American Children Dec. / Jan Issue

Visit our website at www. jonesacademy.org

Chief Batton and Assistant Chief Austin came to visit with the dorm residents during the Christmas Holiday season. pictured with Chief Batton are:back (l to r) Alexis Lyons, Gabriela Bernal, Ariceli Ortizmiddle (l to r) Allissa Ross, Shelby Tushkafront (to r) Brooklyn Golden, Latassha Beall, Melina Tushka, Alexzandra Stroble

Library Time Alternative Art ClassElementary Music ProgramService AwardsCollege NewsChristmas Presents at JAChristmas Dinner

Isaiah Hernandez, Pecanli Peasha, Octavius Posadas- Gabino, Alexis Hayes, Dania Nape, Memorie Bell

Ayrianna Lewis, Chanelle Bell, Sharayah Thundershield, Jimmy Trejo-Rains

Jimmy Trejo-Rains puts together a jigsaw puzzle while at the library. Mrs. Garvin assists Chanelle Bell

with her puzzle.

December was a very busy month for the library at Jones Academy. December marks the time for a very special visitor to make its ap-pearance at the elementary school library. A Christmas elf, Acheba is hidden among the books, maga-zines and other educational materi-als. The 1st and 2nd grade classes are invited to come and see if they can find him. The lucky students who found the elf this year are: 1st grader-Alexis Hayes and 2nd grader Ayrianna Lewis. Congratulations to our win-ners!

Library Time - with Mrs. Garvin

Choctaw storyteller,Tim Tingle, captivates the imaginations of some of the elementary students during his visit to Jones Academy.

NiceCozyComfyBlanketsFor Christmas

Alternative Art ClassThe Alternative Learning Center is always very busy this time of year. Students focus on mak-ing gifts for their friends or family members. This year they worked on a variety of Arts and Crafts to get ready for Christmas. The projects they completed in December were: Christmas Ornaments, Fleece Tied Blankets, and Tie-Dye Shirts. All of the projects turned out nicely. The recipients of the gifts were sure to be pleased!

Tatum Wood works on getting a good saturation of the dye into her shirt.

Seth Youngbird chose the “point and squirt” method to apply the dye to his shirt.

Zach Coble put a lot of time into tying the ends of his “Olaf” blanket.

Garrett Rust chose a camouflage print material for his blanket that was to be a Christmas gift for his grandfather, who is an avid deer hunter.

It was a basketball theme for Andrew Sockey because according to him, “Ball is Life”!

Students painted a variety of christ-mas ornaments to go on their Christ-mas trees at home.

Zach Coble’s Finished product.

Seth Youngbird’s gloved hands show that the project was messy, but the shirts turned out great!

Jones Academy Elementary School Christmas Music Program December 16, 2015

December 16th was the big day. It was a very melodic, upbeat Christmas program. The elementary students donned their red shirts and matching Santa hats and gave a very festive perfor-mance. They sung songs, played the bells and drum,and even performed a skit called “ The Elf and the Shoemaker”.All of the songs performed had lots of movements and ges-tures but perhaps the funniest part of the program was the performance of the Turkey Dance. Students gobbled and strut-ted and danced their hearts out. At the end of the program, the whole group sang “Joy to the World” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” in unison. The program left its audience with the feeling that it was going to be a very, Merry Christ-mas for All!

Music Director Mrs. Warden and the Elementary students pose for a picture after the Christmas program.

Samuel Kaniotobe holds up his card during the song “Twelve days of Christmas”

Abigale Logston, Jacey Patton, Adolfo Hernan-dez, and Destanie Logston perform their parts in “The Elf and the Shoemaker”.

Students sing “Santa Is His Name” while Mrs. Warden directs them.

Jones Academy Service Awards 2015

Brad Spears - 20 Years of Service

Arlie Marris - 30 Years of Service

Robert Smith - 30 Years of Service

Robert Ray - 20 Years of Service

This year’s Christmas Dinner at Jones Academy was made special by a visit from Chief Gary Batton and Assistant Chief Jack Austin. The leaders met with the students and staff to spread the good cheer of the Choctaw Nation. After supper, the chief and assistant chief presented several staff members with service awards recognizing their dedication to Jones Academy through years of hard work.

Five-year service awards were given to Kathleen Cunningham, Elaine Garvin, Lynn Larson, and David Scott. Charles Thomason was recognized for 15 years of service at Jones Academy. Both, Rob-ert Ray, the Jones Academy Elementary Principal and Brad Spears, Jones Academy Senior Director, were presented with 20 year awards for service with the Choctaw Nation. Arlie Marris, the assistant dormi-tory manager, was honored for 30 years of service at Jones Academy. He was em-ployed by the Bureau of Indian Education at the Academy for 12 years before the Choctaw Nation contracted the boarding school operation. Robert Smith, the dor-mitory manager, also received a 30-year service commendation. He was with Jones Academy for 22 years when the Academy was managed by the BIE. Mr. Smith was a student at Jones Academy, having come to the facility as a resident when he was in seventh grade and remaining until he graduated. Mr. Smith has been associated with Jones Academy for almost 60 years.

College NewsThis past fall semester, Jones Academy high school students participated in a flurry of activities in preparation for life after gradua-tion. The ninth through twelfth graders were busy plotting out their futures thanks to the resources available in southeastern Oklahoma. On September 29th and 30th, Jones Academy students were part of an audience of 500 active participants who listened to Ariel Moodie, a motivational speaker from New York City. Mr. Moodie spoke on the art of being successful and likeable and developing leadership skills. The talks were a dynamic event organized by EOSC GEAR UP. On the academic side, stu-dents attended three ACT Test prep workshops in September, October and December. (The ACT is a prerequisite for college admissions.) The workshops were directed by Chad Cargill in Hugo, OK and in McAlester. Choctaw Na-tion of Oklahoma Educational Talent Search and Gear UP sponsored these activities. On October 20, 2015 Eastern Oklahoma State Col-lege in Wilburton held a college fair for senior students interested in meeting with university and college representatives from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. The Choctaw College Connect also hosted its annual college recruit-ing event on November 7th, 2015 in Durant, Oklahoma. About 40 Jones Academy students were able to meet with representatives from ju-nior and community colleges, private colleges, and universities, including individuals repre-senting the Ivy League. On November 19th, 2015 EOSC invited the seniors back for Moun-taineer Mania. On that day, seniors toured the campus and visited with department heads and college administrators. GEAR UP facilitated field trips to Connors State College in Warner, OK. Eleventh and tenth graders toured the col-lege facilities on November 12th and December 4th respectively. Seniors took the ACT Test in November and the WorkKeys work ready test in December. The semester seems to have gone by quickly! Jones Academy students have been actively pursuing their careers and interests with the help of services from various agencies. Much more is in store for the spring semester. High school students are planning for a brighter future beyond Jones Academy.

Mayan Fox handles a snake at Conners State College.

Danielle Enriquez, Tequanna Poor Bear, Laura Morgan, and Shelby Tushka visit Connors State College.

Seniors Tatum Wood, Danielle Murillo, and DeShaun Suetopka speak to a college recruiter at the EOSC College Fair.

Time ticks by slowly as residents prepare for the trip home for Christmas break. Everyone packs and waits for flight information or the bus schedule anxiously. During this time residents, staff members, and family members, attend the annual Christmas dinner. Later residents receive their Christmas gifts from Jones Academy and Choctaw Nation staff. It is such a joyous time on campus. Everyone enjoys receiving money, clothes or toys for Christmas. This year re-mote control cars and clothing store gift cards seemed to be the most sought after gifts. Christ-mas was a huge success at Jones Academy!

Denise Nape holds her elf doll at the Christmas party.

Justin Johnson and Romeo Farve pose for a holiday photo.

DeShaun Suetopka and dorm matron Barbara Bruton smile for the camera.

Jaden Sanderson is very excited to receive a Zombie Strike Nerf gun!

Christmas Gift Giving At Jones Academy

Tayah Latimer and Kennedi Henry find the reactions of people opening gifts quite amusing.

Tristen Wallace really liked the re-mote control helicopter he received for Christmas.

Jones Academy Annual Christmas Dinner 2016

Latassha Beall and Judy King are all smiles as they wait for the winning ticket numbers to be called out.

Staff Members Shalon Roe and Denell Cooley enjoy their meal together. Many staff members use this time to say goodbye to the students for the holidays before students depart for home.

Mrs. Garvin, the school librarian, receives a door prize.

Brothers Creighton Youngbird-Pedro, Seth Youngbird and Tracy Hornsby enjoyed sitting together as a fam-ily for their Christmas meal.

Girls from the Little Girls Dorm pose for a picture before eating.

Jones Academy’s Annual Christmas Dinner was a great success. A traditional Christmas meal was served, including: Turkey and Dressing, Sweet Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, Hot Yeast Rolls and a variety of desserts including traditional Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Cake and Red Velvet Cake. Honored guests included Chief Batton and Assistant Chief Austin, as well as many fam-ily members and guests. Many people came out to congratulate staff members receiving service awards.