CCHS Student Ja’Kiyah Jones Achieves Historic All-State Honor

A significant milestone in Crisp County School history has been achieved by tenth-grade student Ja’Kiyah Jones, who has earned a place in the prestigious Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-State Honor Band. This recognition marks her as the first contrabass clarinetist from Crisp County High School (CCHS) to attain this honor, highlighting her exceptional talent and dedication to music.

According to Dominique Lane, the Band Director at CCHS, it has been nearly a decade since a student from the school received this level of recognition. Lane praised Ja’Kiyah’s achievement, noting that only two students across the entire state of Georgia were selected for the contrabass clarinet category. “To earn this honor, she demonstrated elite musicianship by mastering required scales, performing both lyrical and technical etudes, and successfully sight-reading music she had never seen before—all under pressure during the audition process,” Lane said. “We are beyond proud of Ja’Kiyah.”

Ja’Kiyah’s performance will represent not only herself but also the entire CCHS and the Crisp County School District at the GMEA All-State Honor Band event scheduled for March 5-7, 2026, at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. This event is recognized as one of the highest honors a high school musician can receive, reflecting the dedication and hard work required to achieve such a prestigious accolade.

As a standout musician in her school, Ja’Kiyah’s success serves as an inspiration to fellow students and a testament to the quality of music education provided at Crisp County High School. Her accomplishment not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the importance of music programs in nurturing young musicians. The CCHS community eagerly anticipates her performance at the upcoming event, celebrating this historic achievement and the bright future that lies ahead for Ja’Kiyah Jones.