Is there a Darnell Jones in this Class at Claremore High?

Judge C. Darnell Jones II dropped by World Headquarters of the Claremore Daily Progress on Friday afternoon. As you’ve probably seen in the paper, he’s in town for the 40th reunion of his Class (1968) of Claremore Zebras. Back then, he recalls being much more focused on becoming the next Willie Mays or Gayle Sayers than on an appointment to US District Court. An appointment by the President of the United States, followed with confirmation by the Senate, is an honor earned by few Americans. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I was honored to meet him, and more impressed afterward than before.

News that Claremore Public Schools ACT scores exceeded not only the state, but also the national average is great news but not really a surprise. The state average is 20.7, the national average is 21.1, with Claremore scoring 22.2.

The Zebras regularly have a disproportionate number of Academic All-Staters as it relates to the size of our school system. Likewise, Claremore students are often National Merit Scholars and go on to Harvard, as did Sarah Marlar, or Yale, such as Jayme Potteiger, in addition to local universities such as OU, OSU, TU, and RSU.

The test scores are a compliment to many. First of all, to the hard-working teachers, administrators, and staff in the Claremore school system; then to the parents, who obviously have put time and effort in to making sure that their children turn off the television and do homework; and finally to the students themselves.

Judge Jones had great parents, great teachers, and now a number of accomplished classmates with whom he is reuniting this weekend in Claremore.

Like Judge Jones, these ACT scores are an example of what a great school system we have in this great community. It is a tradition that did not start this year, nor will it end this year. Maybe there is a kid in this class, maybe even several kids that will make their mark on the world like Judge Jones has done.