Jones Academy proudly announces its graduating class of 2025.
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 Oklaoma’s Ouachita Mountain range.
Approximately 200 students attend grades 1-12 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./i
Taleah Ann Eva Bull Bear, 18, is the daughter of Allen and Lisa Grimes of Interior, S.D. She is the granddaughter of Georgia Rooks and the late Hobert Zimiga. Taleah is a descendant of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She has attended Jones Academy for three years. At Hartshorne High School, Taleah was an active member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and a manager on the varsity football team. She was also part of the CNO Project RISE program. Both FCCLA and RISE provided Taleah several opportunities to serve in the community which she enjoyed immensely. She has registered to begin classes in August at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. to start her general studies.
Kadance Jada Carlile, 18, is the niece Barbara Morgan from Red Oak, Okla. This year was Kadance’s first year at Jones Academy. She participated in the academy’s 4-H program, showing hogs and finding success in the limited time that she was here. Kadance also participated in softball at Harthorne High School. This coming fall she will enroll at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. to begin her general studies. Kadance is seeking a career in Criminal Justice.
Wyatt Sam Todd Comby,18, is the son of Jimmy and Teneshia Comby of Philadelphia, Miss. Wyatt is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. As a student at Jones Academy, he was active on the school’s stickball team and served as a representative at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society conference in San Antonio, Texas. At Hartshorne High School, he was a member of the CNO Project RISE program and excelled in mathematics. He has received the math class pin in geometry. Wyatt was employed at Jones Academy through the CNO 477 Youth Employment Services and was a dedicated worker. He took delight in serving the evening meals to students and staff at the school’s cafeteria. Wyatt is enrolling at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. to take classes in the fall. After his studies at HINU, he will transfer to Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Arianna Adessia Ellison, 18, is the daughter of LeeAnna Hernandez of Oklahoma City. Arianna is a member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. She has been a student of Jones Academy since third grade. She has served as a Unity Youth Council member and represented the academy at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society conference in San Antonio, Texas in October of 2024. Arianna was a valued worker at Jones Academy as an employee of the CNO 477 Youth Employment Services. She has also been a member of the Hartshorne High School band since the eighth grade and the Choctaw Nation Project RISE program. She received a pin for excellence in U. S. History. Arianna is interested in a career in Information Technology. She will begin her studies this fall at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan.
Xavier Estban Ochoa, 18, is the son of Clarissa Trejo-Wolfe of Weatherford, Texas. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Xavier attended Jones Academy intermittently since the first grade and was able to finish his senior year at the place he thinks of as “home.” This past year Xavier was involved in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma RISE program at Hartshorne High School and was employed by the CNO 477 Youth Employment Services at Jones Academy. He was also recognized by Jones Academy staff as the September Student of the Month. Xavier has been accepted at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan, and will study for a career in Business Administration.
Akaysha Syntae Polk, 18, is the daughter of Damion and Kendra Polk of Philadelphia, Miss. She is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribe. Akaysha has attended Hartshorne High School for 2 years where she was active in the Choctaw Nation Project RISE program. At Jones Academy, she participated in traditional activities such as native beading and skirt making. Akaysha was also part of the successful Jones Academy Botball Robotics team that placed ninth overall in regional competition in Oklahoma City in April of 2025. In the fall, Akaysha will attend Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS to work on her general education classes. She then will transfer to Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colo. to complete her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Carlos Eduardo Pajaro, is the son of Brittany Hernandez of McAlester, Okla. Carlos is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He participated in varsity football, track and field, and the CNO Project RISE program at Hartshorne High School. Carlos was also active in stickball and the United National Indian Tribal Youth organization at Jones Academy. He has enrolled in Welding Technology at the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester, Oklahoma where he will attend in the fall.
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.