Northeast Jones High School Explained

Northeast Jones High School (NEJ) is a public high school located in Jones County, Mississippi, United States, near the city of Laurel. Northeast Jones serves students in grades 7 through 12 and is one of three traditional high schools in the Jones County School District.

History

As part of a wider Jones County School District consolidation, Northeast Jones High School opened in 1965 as the product of three local high schools.^[2]

After school integration in the United States, a black student was hanged in a bathroom and suffered non-fatal injuries.^[3] After a couple more years, black NEJ students rioted in 1972, drawing the National Guard to the school.

In 2024, Northeast Jones High School alumnus P.T. Jones was named the principal of Northeast Jones High School after serving many years as assistant principal at the school. Jones is the first African American head principal at Northeast Jones High School ^[4]

Northeast Jones High School is also home to Ann Tucker, age 84, who has been teaching at the school for 64 years. Although not officially documented, it is widely accepted that Ann Tucker has been teaching longer than anyone in the state of Mississippi. In 2022, Ann Tucker was recognized by the Mississippi State Legislature for her longevity and service to Northeast Jones High School. House Resolution 95 commended her for her "outstanding tenure".^{[5] [6]}

Athletics

Northeast Jones athletic teams are nicknamed the Tigers and compete in Mississippi High School Activities Association 4A Region 5.^[7] The football team won the 1996 MSHSAA Class 4A championship.^[8]

Northeast Jones High School boasts numerous athletics teams including archery, baseball, basketball, e-sports, football, softball, swimming, cross-country track, golf, powerlifting, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and track and field. In 2024, the NEJ Archery team placed third in the Mississippi Archery Championships.^[9]

Performing arts

NEJ fields two competitive show choirs: the high school mixed-gender "Gold Horizons" and middle school mixed-gender "Tiger Vibe. The performing arts program also hosts an annual competition.^[10]

Notable alumni

• Marsha Blackburn, politician^[11]
• Robin Robinson, politician^[12]
• Shad White, politician^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Northeast Jones High School . National Center for Education Statistics . September 11, 2024.
2. Web site: Glade Elementary . Jones County School District . October 27, 2020.
3. Web site: Morgan . Anna . The Segregation, Integration, and Resegregation of High Schools in Jones County, Mississippi . The Aquila Digital Community . University of Southern Mississippi . October 27, 2020 . May 2019.
4. Web site: Our Principals - Northeast Jones High School. Our Principals - Northeast Jones High School.
5. Web site: HR 95 (As Introduced) - 2022 Regular Session. billstatus.ls.state.ms.us.
6. Web site: A teacher for all time. Mark. Thornton. January 31, 2022. Laurel Leader-Call.
7. Web site: Northeast Jones Football Team Preview . MaxPreps . October 27, 2020.
8. Web site: Football Champions . Mississippi High School Activities Association . October 27, 2020.
9. https://www.misshsaa.com/2024/04/11/2024-archery-scores/
10. Web site: SCC: Northeast Jones Classic 2020 . Show Choir Community . October 27, 2020.
11. Web site: Yearbook 1969 Northeast Jones High School. registration. 2021-05-08. classmates.com.
12. Web site: Robin Robinson . 2022-03-22 . billstatus.ls.state.ms.us.
13. Web site: Harrison . Bobby . Ganucheau . Adam . Gov. Bryant appoints ex-staffer and 'millennial' Shad White as state auditor . Mississippi Today . October 27, 2020 . July 6, 2018.