By Derrick

There are a lot of different ways to show your school spirit. You could go to all the school events to support those involved, or you could wear school colors. Those are both good ideas to show your support, but for Ames Newman, that just was not enough.

Our school has enjoyed a lot of success in athletics,” Newman said. “And that makes school spirit a lot more fun. Plus, the students at Jenks already have so much school spirit, you can’t help but have school spirit yourself. I started off as a flag runner but then I decided to become our school mascot, Ojan the Trojan.”

Ames is a junior at Jenks High School. Along with his mascot duties, he is also a member of the track and field team. He throws shot put and discus, both of which he has been doing since the seventh grade.

There have been a few different people that have had an influence on Newman, both as a person and as an athlete. He says that there are two people that have impacted him athletically. 

“Coach Randall would have to be a big role model for me,” he said. “He is my shotput coach and he comes to practice every day ready to teach us and push us to get better. I strive to push people the way that my coach pushes me. I also look up to Ryan Crouser, who is a 2016 Olympic Champion thrower. He is so good at shotput and I want to be like him.”

Another person that has played a part in Ames’ life is his English teacher, Mr. Foster.
“He taught me a lot while I was in his class,” he said. “He taught me how to be successful, not just in school, but also in life. He always made me better by encouraging me and challenging me to be the best I could be.”

Success is something that Ames has strived hard to achieve, but he says that it takes a lot to obtain it. 

“There is a lot that is required to be successful at anything,” he said. “For me there were a lot of early morning lifts and endless drills to get better. It has taken some sacrificing time with friends and family to put in extra work.”