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Jones Academy Graduating Class of 2024

June 3, 2024

Founded in 1891 by the Choctaw Nation, Jones Academy is a no-cost American Indian boarding school located four miles north of Hartshorne in Eastern Oklahoma. The school is nestled among 540 acres of rolling pastures and trees at the foot of the Pocahontas Mountains in Oklahoma’s Ouachita Mountain range.

Approximately 200 students attend grades 1st-12th each year from tribal nations across the United States, in particular our neighboring communities in Oklahoma. There is no fee for students to attend Jones Academy. Admission includes travel, housing, and meals.

Jones Academy and its partners are transforming learning experiences for Native youth by helping them discover life pathways and cultivate a sense of cultural identity.

Education at this American Indian boarding school isn’t only about book knowledge. It’s also about the life lessons that create mature, balanced, responsible and compassionate adults.

Cylas Christian Baker, 18, born to Vanessa Niehausu and Damon Baker, is the nephew of Debbie James from Talihina, Okla. and he holds enrollment in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Demonstrating exemplary conduct, Cylas has been a dedicated student at Jones Academy for seven years, often assuming leadership roles among his peers. Serving as the vice-president of the Unity Youth Council at Jones Academy, he represented the school at the prestigious Unity Conference in Washington, D.C., in July 2023. During his time at Hartshorne High School, Cylas was a valued member of the varsity basketball team for four years and was voted basketball king. Compassionate and empathetic, he possesses a deep concern for the homeless and the underprivileged. With a passion for hands-on work, he is set to commence his studies in Electrical Construction Technologies at Oklahoma State University-Information Technology in Okmulgee, aspiring to pursue a career as an electrician.

Whitney Lynn Grizzle, 18, is the daughter of Herbert and Terry Grizzle of Pocola, Okla. She is a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. While in high school, Whitney was active in several educational programs including Upward Bound, GEAR UP, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Girl Scouts of America, Lion’s Club, the CNO Project RISE, the CNO Youth Advisory Board, and the Jones Academy Unity Youth Council. Through taking part in these organizations, Whitney was able to develop leadership skills and assist communities through service projects. She was also able to travel frequently, touring New York City, Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston, Galveston, and Denver. Whitney was enrolled in Teacher Prep/Early Care and Education (TPEC) at the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester, Okla. and was a member of the National Technical Honor Society and a Star Ambassador. She was chosen by her peers as the 2024 Jones Academy Prom Queen. Whitney has dreams of operating a daycare on a cruise liner and traveling the world. She has registered to attend classes in the fall at Carl Albert State College where she will work toward her Associate of Arts Degree in Child Development.

Errika Lee Lowe, 18, is the daughter of Melanie Lowe of Coalgate, Okla. and the late Edward Carl Lowe. Her maternal grandparents are Bernice and Naman Vick of Olney, Okla. Errika’s paternal grandparents are Joanna and Edwin Lowe of Happyland, Okla. She is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota. This was Errika’s first year at Jones Academy. At Hartshorne High School, she was an active member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, the CNO Project RISE and Yearbook. Errika developed a passion for participating in the school’s service projects and relished the opportunities to help others in the community. She loves “all things artistic, creative and culinary.” Errika has applied at Oklahoma State University-Information Technology in Okmulgee and will work toward an associate in applied science degree in Culinary Arts starting in the fall. Errika would like to take her culinary skills abroad and work as a chef aboard a cruise liner.

Isabel Marisol Lujano, 19, is the daughter of Ernestine Bearshead of Tulsa, Okla. She is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Isabel has been a resident of Jones Academy since the first grade. She is Hartshorne High School’s Salutatorian for the 2024 graduating class. Isabel was in the Oklahoma Honor Society and on the Hartshorne High School Superintendent’s Honor Roll. During her years at Jones Academy, she was a member of the school’s Unity Youth Council, serving as its 2023-2024 chapter’s president and as a representative at the 2023 Unity Conference in Washington D.C. Isabel participated in the Academy’s 4-H program, garnering numerous awards and honors in hog shows through the years. She was also active in GEAR UP and the Choctaw Nation Project RISE programs. Isabel was enrolled in Teacher Prep/Early Care and Education (TPEC) at the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester, Okla. and received her Teacher Assistant Certification. Isabel expresses gratitude for the 12 years she has attended Jones Academy. She is thankful for all the “opportunities and the guidance” she has received in the place she called home. Isabel has been accepted at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., where she will pursue a degree in social work starting in the fall.

Anthony Bryce Robinson, 18, is the son of the late Phil Robinson. His sister, Ashrhonda Robinson, is Anthony’s legal guardian from Choctaw, Miss. Anthony is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. As a student at Jones Academy, he served as a Unity Youth Council officer and represented the school at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society conferences in Palm Springs, Calif. (2022) and in Spokane, Wash. (2023.) Anthony competed with the Jones Academy robotics Botball team and was a member of the stickball club. His best attributes are that Anthony is a hard worker and delights in helping others. He volunteered in the evenings in the kitchen and assisted the staff with serving and cleaning up the cafeteria. Anthony has been accepted at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. to study Media Communications and follow his passion of becoming a professional photographer.

Dreshawn Kane Williams, 18, is the son of Joshua Williams and Cassandra Stephens of Philadelphia, Miss. He is the grandson of Ruby Williams and Earl Thomas. He is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. While a student at Jones Academy, Dreshawn was a member of the stickball team and excelled in robotics Botball competitions. This spring, the team placed in the top 10 overall and won the Judges Choice Award for their robot design at the 2024 Oklahoma Regional Tournament. At Hartshorne High School, he was a sprinter in track and field. He was also on the high school Principal’s Honor Roll, was Jones Academy’s Student of the Month in August, and the Jones Academy Prom King. Dreshawn has registered at East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss., where he plans to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education as a Private Childcare Provider.

Fichik Malanta Willis, 18, is the daughter of Samantha Frazier of Carthage, Miss. and the late Jonah Willis. Fichik is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. During her years at Jones Academy, she was a member of the school’s STEAM Program and the robotics Botball team. Fichik was an officer on the Unity Youth Council and a member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. She was a representative of Jones Academy at the AISES symposia in Palm Springs, Calif. (2022) and in Spokane, Wash. (2023.) Fichik was also a representative at the Unity Conference in Washington D.C. (2023.) She participated in Botball team competitions in St. Augustine, Fla. and in Moore, Okla. Fichik was a member of the Jones Academy stickball team as well as the 4-H Club where she participated in livestock judging and public speaking contests. At Hartshorne High School she was active in track and field and was on the high school honor roll. Fichik was also a member of the Oklahoma Honor Society and was one of Jones Academy’s best ambassadors, evangelizing several of her friends to come to school in Oklahoma. Fichik lives every day by her late father’s words encouraging her to expand her horizons, to travel, to get an education and to faithfully serve others. She plans to attend Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colo. and pursue a degree in law.

Suwannie Kaylish Willis, 17, is the daughter of Jonathan Willis and Ursula Thomas, both of whom have passed away. She is under the guardianship of Karen Chickaway from Philadelphia, Miss. Proudly affiliated with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Suwannie has been an active participant in various activities. During her time at Jones Academy, she engaged in stickball and 4-H. Additionally, she was an enthusiastic member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America at Harthorne High School, as well as the CNO Youth Advisory Board. Known for her passion for tribal culture, Suwannie avidly promotes her heritage. She showcased her talents as a singer with the Southern Pine Singers and as a social dancer, proudly donning her tribal regalia. Beyond her commitments, Suwannie generously volunteered in the evenings to assist in the cafeteria at Jones Academy. Adored by both staff and students alike at Jones Academy and Hartshorne High School, Suwannie has earned widespread affection. Following her graduation, Suwannie plans to relocate to McCall’s Chapel School in Ada, Okla.

Kaya Leesann Zimiga, 17, is the daughter of Thedna Zimiga of Wanblee, S.D. Kaya is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. In her years at Hartshorne High School, she took part in GEAR UP, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and the CNO Project RISE. This spring, Kaya was selected to attend an underwater robotics certification course in San Diego, Calif. The trip was sponsored by GEAR UP in partnership with Stanford University. The group toured San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39. Kaya has also traveled with the RISE group to Washington, D. C., and New York City. Kaya loves history and the machinations of politics and government. Her ambitions are humble. She aspires to become president of the United States. She will attend classes in the fall at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. After finishing her associate degree, she will transfer to the University of Kansas and work on her bachelor’s in political science.

Due to space limitations, the Biskinik does not run submitted high school graduation or GED announcements. Jones Academy is owned and operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and Adult Education is a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma program; this is why these graduates are featured in the Biskinik.