PSJ Honors Peter Simon Jones, School Namesake, at Black History Month Celebration | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    In February, P.S. Jones Middle School celebrated Black History Month through a variety of activities that celebrated the many contributions made by African American individuals, both past and present. The theme of this year's celebration was "heroes", and what individual could be more deserving of this honor than our school's namesake, Peter Simon Jones.

    The success of this year's program can be greatly attributed to the participation of our talented students at PSJ! As part of the celebration, sixth and seventh grade students both researched and wrote biographies on an African Americans of their choice, who they felt fit the category of a hero. Throughout the month, final copies of students' works were read live during our morning announcements by Latyra Williams, Tymeek Cobb, Hope Stallings, and Nadya Windley.

    Many students at PS Jones also participated in a Black History essay contest. Seventh grader, Davis Beeman, received first place for his essay on Martin Luther King, Jr. Sarah Carr, and Alyssa Krajewski, both sixth graders, received second and third place awards for their essays. The three students were recognized during our Black History celebration assembly on February 17. First place winner, David Beeman, shared his inspiring essay with the assembly audience.

    Our assembly on the February 17 focused on the accomplishments of local hero, and school namesake, Peter Simon Jones. Jones, a local educator and school principal, dedicated his life to the education of students in Beaufort County. Local attorney Watsi Sutton, delivered the program's keynote speech, emphasizing that like Jones, we should all strive to be "game-changers", setting goals and working hard to make a difference in the lives of others. Emily Jones, granddaughter of the celebrated honoree, attended the assembly, and was awarded a plaque in her grandfather's memory. Other special guests included Jones's great -granddaughter, Joy Jones Chiles, his nephew, Reverend Calvin Curtis Jones, and members of the PSJ Alumni Association.

    Both student and staff performances at the assembly provided an air of excitement to the program. Students Quierra Ross and Kaylah Ward served as program MCs. PSJ's Music Ensemble members Erin Lewis, Kieona Worsely, Jaysha Whitley, Shanya Delesbore, and Shania Simpson lead the audience in singing the Negro National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Danielle Duckwall, Erin Lewis, and PSJ teacher, Cedric Moore, performed "Hero" by Mariah Carey, as a tribute to Jones. Brianna Brown, Zahnell Bailey, Faith Bolden, Shanya Delesbore, Kieona Worsely, Anne Lewis, Jaysha Whitley, all members of PSJ's Dance Ensemble, danced to Marvin Sapp's "Praise Him in Advance." Finally, as a tribute to pop superstar, Michael Jackson, the PSJ Band Ensemble, including Erin Lewis, Taiwan Godley, Samuel Langley, Aiyanna Cobb, Kiana Ruffin, Quierra Ross, Shania Simpson, Matthew Swales, Queshon Tetterton, Amber Wade, and Kaylah Ward, played a hand clapping , foot-stopping rendition of "Beat It" , that was thoroughly enjoyed by the assembly audience.

    This year's PSJ's Black History celebration was a great success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of both students and staff. Appreciation goes out to PSJ students for their program contributions, to PSJ administration for their support of our program efforts, and to staff members, Sue Faucette, Indiana Jennette, Neva Cashion, Joyce O'Neal, Janet Calloway, Zantadem Jones, and Joniece Carroll for their hard work and dedication in organizing this year's Black History Month celebration.
Seventh grader, Davis Beemer, winner of the Black History Essay Contest, is introduced at the assembly by Janet Calloway, eighth grade language arts teacher.
PSJ Dance Ensemble members present "Praise Him in Advance" at the assembly.

    Call/email if you have questions.

    Sarah Hodges
    Public Information Officer
    Beaufort County Schools
      252.946.6593 office
      252.402.5834 cell
      shodges@beaufort.k12.nc.us e-mailoto)