The students of Jefferson Montessori Academy celebrated their graduation Thursday evening with an outstanding ceremony at the Carlsbad Beach Bandshell and Pavilion. Congratulations to all of the students, and thank you to Principal Kelli Barta, as well as Kerrie Thatcher, Nicole Brooks, Deanna Helmer and all of the board members and parent volunteers who made this event possible. School Board Member Ron Singleton and Rep. Cathrynn Brown also participated and helped make JMA’s 20th anniversary a special occasion. Rep. Brown was acclaimed for being one of the school’s founders.
JMA’s structure has meant that the students with the school have been able to go out into the community. Over the years, we have enjoyed seeing them at event openings and poster contests. JMA’s approach has prepared its students for the world.
JMA’s success story is one of overcoming adversity. Early in the school’s history, there were numerous potential roadblocks that could have resulted in the school shutting its doors. JMA persisted and became something even greater, and the students who graduated in Thursday evening’s ceremony did so comfortable in the knowledge that they received a world-class education. We hope many of JMA’s graduates will ultimately return to Carlsbad to support this growing community, but we also know that those who move on to other locations will retain strong ties here. Congratulations again to all of the students.
Carlsbad School Board Member Trent Cornum announced this week that he has had to step down from the school board due to a recent move out of Ward 4. However, Mr. Cornum has announced that he is interested in running for office in the future. Thank you to Cornum for his representation on behalf of Carlsbad’s students and we wish him the very best.
On Wednesday, the Carlsbad Police Department published a report about two missing girls. Other agencies and members of the community assisted with getting word out, and the girls were found safe. Thank you to the police department and everyone who assisted in protecting two young members of our community.
We wish to express our condolences to the family and friends of Gayle Baker, who passed away earlier this week. Gayle first moved to the area in 1975. Gayle was very active through Loving Baptist Church and was well known across town for organizing many of Carlsbad’s bowling leagues. She will be greatly missed. A celebration of life service is planned for Sunday at Loving Baptist Church.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway