A crowd gathered late Thursday morning at Jones High School, filling the Stevens-Chase Center with teachers, faculty, students, and families. All arrived with excitement to watch two high school seniors honored in a special college signing ceremony. Kason Cathey and DeQuan Laskey both signed with their future colleges, Eastern Oklahoma State College and Connors State College.
Kason Cathey pictured above with his family as he signs onto the Livestock Judging Team at Eastern Oklahoma State College.
Kason Cathey signed with Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, where he will be competing on the Livestock Judging Team. He plans to double major in Animal Science and Meat Science at Eastern.
Kason competed on the Jones High School Livestock Judging Team during his senior year, and he has been heavily involved in his local FFA Chapter all four years of high school. Kason shows pigs for his supervised agricultural experience (SAE), winning several grand and reserve grand championships. He previously held the office of FFA Treasurer and Reporter and is currently serving his chapter in his final year as the FFA President. He played football in Jones for the last nine years, starting in the 4th grade.
Kelby Rounsaville, Jones High School Ag. Ed. Instructor
“Kason is a great student and person who I know will go far in whatever he decides to pursue after college. I’m very proud of Kason for putting in the hard work needed to gain this scholarship to judge livestock at Eastern Oklahoma State College. It has been an honor to have him as a student and to be honest I’m very proud of Kason just in general. His future is very very bright.”
DeQuan Laskey signed a scholarship acceptance to Connors State College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he will compete on the Rodeo Team and major in Agribusiness. DeQuan’s scholarship includes $1,000 for tuition per semester, a $200 stipend for books, and two horse stalls for his gilding and mare, Oliver and Cardi.
“My grandson is awesome! Humble, respectful, and everyone who meets DeQuan falls in love with him.”
Benita Love, DeQuan’s Grandmother
Aside from rodeo, DeQuan is an all-around athlete. He played basketball for two years, track for two years, baseball for one year, and football all four years of high school. He also serves as the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s (FCA) President, and DeQuanis active on the Usher Board at his church, Tabernacle Baptist. DeQuan’s parents both say that he is always volunteering his time to help others. Even as a little boy, he enjoyed helping his grandparents, Calvin Harris and his late grandfather, Joe Love.
“DeQuan is a very dedicated people person with an old soul. He is always helpful around the house.”
Calvin Harris, DeQuan’s Grandfather
The Jones community is proud of both of these students, and we wish them well in all of their future endeavors.