Jena High School will observe its 2023 homecoming this Friday, October 6, 2023, with a full day of activities, according to Principal Adam Powell. As the last several years have brought about unprecedented scenarios to many, Jena High School looks forward to a familiar celebration of its traditions, students, faculty, and alumni.

As a major event in Jena and at Jena High School, the homecoming celebration started Monday of this week with students decorating the school and having special dressup days during the week. The annual homecoming bonfire will be held at Jena High School at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

Homecoming Day

Activities on Friday will begin at 9 a.m. with the decoration of floats until 11:00 a.m. The Jena High School 2023 Homecoming Court presentation will be held in the Guy Campbell Memorial Gymnasium at 11:30 a.m. immediately followed by the pep rally. The gymnasium will open for attendees at approximately 11:00 a.m. The parade will begin in front of the high school at approximately 12:30 p.m. and make its way through downtown Jena before returning to the school to disband. Presentation of the 2023 Homecoming Court will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Guy Campbell Memorial Stadium, followed by the homecoming football game between the Jena Giants and the Marksville Tigers at 7:00 p.m.

Homecoming Court

The homecoming court, selected by the student body, consists of two maids from the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes, along with three maids from the senior class. The queen will be selected from the three senior maids – Ava Hodges, Aliayah McPherson, and Tyia Purvis– and announced at the pep rally on Friday. The selection of one of these three for the title of queen is made exclusively by the senior class at Jena High School. The queen will be featured in next week’s edition of The Jena Times.

When the queen is announced, Principal Adam Powell will crown her to reign over the remaining homecoming festivities. The queen’s bouquet during the pep rally will be presented in loving memory of 2014 JHS Homecoming Queen Lakerielle Kittlin, while the bouquet presented during the presentation of the court just prior to the football game on Friday night will be presented compliments of Debbie Norris McCartney, the homecoming queen from the Class of 1973.

The 2023 JHS Homecoming Court is made up of the following young ladies:

Freshman Maids

Gracie Davis, the 14-yearold daughter of Jesse and Sarah Davis, is the first of the freshman maids. While being involved in many activities at Jena High School, Gracie maintains honor roll status and is a member of the Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Students, and Project 7. She is a member of the JHS Cheer team. Prior to attending Jena High School, Gracie attended Nebo Elementary, where she was chosen as Miss Nebo. Gracie is a former member of the Epic Athletics competitive cheer team, where she has won multiple awards with her team as well as many individual awards for tumbling and cheer. Gracie is a member of Nebo Baptist Church, where she is an active member of their youth group. Gracie will be escorted by freshman safety Carter Nichols, the son of Drew and Rachel Nichols. During the presentation of the court prior to the Friday night game, she will be escorted by her father Jesse Davis. Bayleigh Roszell, the 14-year-old daughter of Eric and Nickie Wilson and Keith and Brandy Roszell, is the second of the freshman homecoming maids. Bayleigh is a member of the JHS Beta Club, Anchor Club and Future Business Leaders of America. She is a member of the JHS Lady Giants softball team. She is also serving as representative of the freshman class on the JHS Student Council. Prior to attending Jena High School, Bayleigh was a student at Jena Junior High School. She served as Student Council Vice President her eighth grade year. She was also a member of the JJHS Lady Giants softball team throughout her junior high years and was chosen as Softball MVP her eighth grade year. Bayleigh is also a member of the RAGE travel ball team. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Jonesville. Bayleigh will be escorted during the pep rally by freshman defensive lineman Eli Estes, son of Bubba and Dusty Estes, and by her father Keith Roszell on Friday night.

Sophomore Maids

Kennady McDaniel, the 15-year-old daughter of Kristi Lambeth and granddaughter of Kathy Lambeth Thompson and the late Bard Lambeth, is the first of the sophomore maids. During her time at Jena High School, Kennady has maintained A/B Honor Roll. She is a member of the JHS Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has been a member of the JHS Cheer Team for two years. Kennady will be escorted during the pep rally by sophomore quarterback Deuce McPherson, the son of Ashley McPherson and John McPherson. On Friday night, she will be escorted by her godfather Lance Greer. Ava Grace Windham, the 15-year-old daughter of Chris and Pam Windham, is the second of the sophomore homecoming maids. She is an honor roll student who is also a member of the Jena High School Anchor Club, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Students. Ava is currently serving the sophomore class as Student Council Secretary. She is also a member of the JHS track team. Ava is an active member of the youth group at Bellevue Baptist Church. Ava will be escorted during the Friday pep rally by sophomore quarterback Titan Smith, the son of Blaire Phillips and Tyrell Smith. On Friday night, she will be escorted by her brother Weston Windham.

Junior Maids

Natylie Chapman, the 16-year-old daughter of Josh and Dana Chapman, is the first junior maid. Natylie is an honor roll student. She is a member of Anchor Club and Fellowship of Christian Students. She previously served as Sophomore Class President and is the current Junior Class Vice President on the Student Council. This is Natylie’s third year as a member of the JHS Cheer Team, and she qualified for All American this year at UCA Cheer Camp. Natylie has also been a member of the JHS Tennis Team for the past two years. She qualified to compete at tennis regionals during her sophomore year. She is looking forward to another year in tennis this spring. Additionally, Natylie served her class as homecoming maid during her freshman year. She was honored to be chosen as Fourth Runner- Up in the 2023 Most Beautiful Pageant this past January. She attends Christ Church of West Monroe and Sanctuary youth group. Natylie will be escorted during the pep rally by junior safety Cayden Mursch, the son of RJ Mursch and Sherry Mursch. On Friday night, she will be escorted by her father Josh Chapman. Keira Chevallier, the 16-year-old daughter of Larry Lee and Monique Chevallier, is the second of the junior maids. During her time at Jena High School, Keira has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. She is a member of the JHS Anchor Club, Fellowship of Christian Students, and the Beta Club. Keira has been a member of the JHS Tennis Team for the past two years and plans to play again this year. She also had the pleasure of being chosen to represent the Class of 2025 as a homecoming maid during her freshman and sophomore years. Keira was honored to be selected as First Runner-Up in the 2023 JHS Most Beautiful Pageant this past January. Keira will be escorted during the pep rally by junior defensive end Colten Sharp, the son of James and Jennifer Sharp. On Friday night, she will be escorted by her father Larry Lee Chevallier.

Senior Maids

Ava Marlee Hodges, the 17-year-old daughter of Russ and Samantha Francis, is the first of the senior maids. Ava has maintained a 4.0 GPA all four years of high school. Ava is serving as Student Body Vice President this year. She is a member of the Milton Posey Chapter of National Honor Society. She has been an Anchor Club member for four years, serving as Vice-President her junior year and President currently. She has also participated in Fellowship of Christian Students for four years. Ava earned Second Place in Chemistry at District Literary Rally in her junior year. Ava has been on the JHS Gold Dusters danceline for four years. She served as co-captain her junior year and is currently serving as Captain. She has earned many awards for dance such as Rookie of the Year and Pin It Forward her freshman year, All Smiles and Pin It Forward her sophomore year, The Motivator Award her junior year, and Pin It Forward and 3rd Place Home Routine her senior year. Ava is also a 4 year member of the JHS Lady Giants basketball team. She was the Team Defensive MVP and made All-District Defensive Team her junior year. Ava has been a JHS Diamond Girl for two years. She was also a member of the JHS Lady Giants softball team her freshman year when they brought home the State Championship trophy. Ava attends Nolley Methodist Church, where she is an active member of the youth group that meets every Wednesday night. She has participated in multiple Team Effort Service mission trips to various locations such as Pensacola, FL, LaPlace, LA, and Athens, TN. She also serves as a church sound booth worker and assists with Vacation Bible School every year. Ava’s favorite high school memory is when the Lady Giants Basketball team made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Her future plans include attending the University of Alabama to study nursing. After college, she plans to be a travel nurse and see the world. Ava will be escorted at the pep rally by senior quarterback Zach Barker, the son of John and Evelyn Barker, and by her father Russ Francis on Friday night. Aliayah McPherson, the 17-year-old daughter of Ashley McPherson and John McPherson, is the second of the senior maids. Aliayah has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Students and Future Business Leaders of America. She has also served on the Student Council as Vice-President in 2022. Aliayah has been a member of the JHS Cheer team for four years and was awarded the Pin It Forward Award at UCA Cheer Camp. She was also chosen as an All American Cheerleader two years. In her sophomore year, she and the cheer team earned first in game day, second in rally routine, and third in cheer. In her junior year, she and the cheer team placed second in rally routine, second in game day, and won the Banana Spirit Award. In her senior year, she and the cheer team won first place in sideline performance, first in dance and pyramid, and third in cheer performance. She attends Sanctuary Family Worship Center in Jena. Aliayah says that cheering at pep rallies and games will always be one of her favorite memories from high school. After graduation, Aliayah hopes to join the UCA Cheer Staff and plans to attend Louisiana Tech University to major in pre-dentistry. Aliayah will be escorted at the pep rally by senior offensive left tackle Hunter Jackson, the son of Bubba and Krista Jackson, and by her father John McPherson on Friday night. Tyia Purvis, the 17-year-old daughter of Clyde Bowens and Kimberly Purvis, is the final senior maid. Tyia is a member of the Jena High School Beta Club. She has been a member of the JHS Powerlifting Team for three years and the JHS Gold Dusters Danceline for one year. Tyia attends Trout Creek Baptist Church. Tyia says her favorite high school memory is getting together with her classmates every Thursday before pep rallies to make posters and having fun together. After graduation, she plans to attend college to major in Technology Engineering/Technology Science. Tyia will be escorted at the pep rally by senior defensive tackle Jaquarius Green, the son of Jasey Green and Anthony Farris, and by her father Clyde Bowens during the night program.