When De'Aria Jones speaks about her favorite things about fourth grade, her enthusiasm is contagious. "My favorite thing about fourth grade is that I can switch to more classes and get to learn more stuff," she explains, particularly enjoying science, English language arts, and social studies.

De'Aria, a fourth-grader at Cairo Elementary School, has been attending the school since pre-kindergarten. She comes from a Cairo family with deep roots—both her parents attended the school, and she believes her grandmother did as well. Now the oldest of three siblings, with a five-year-old brother and a six-month-old sister, De'Aria is making her own mark at Cairo Elementary.

What sets De'Aria apart is her participation in the school's EKG program, which stands for Empathy, Kindness, and Gratitude. When asked why Dean of Students Keyth Blissett might have selected her to be interviewed, De'Aria didn't hesitate: "I think he wanted me to talk to you because I was probably in EKG or I never get in trouble."

The EKG program recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional character. "You can't get in trouble. You gotta have good grades and be nice to people and lift them up when they're sad," De'Aria explains. 

Members receive a special shirt they wear every Friday, and they enjoy special privileges like occasional donut parties when they're pulled from class to gather with their fellow EKG members.

De'Aria joined the program in November and is among the youngest participants, as fourth grade is the first year that students become eligible. She's one of six students from her class who have earned this recognition, and she speaks proudly of the honor.

"We haven't gone on any field trips because we just started, but when my cousin was in EKG, she said they got to make bracelets and eat stuff and go on field trips to the movies," she shares, clearly looking forward to these future opportunities.

In the classroom, De'Aria excels academically, earning mostly A's and B's. Though she admits math can be challenging, she proudly notes that she raised her only C to a B through hard work. She's particularly fond of science experiments, recalling one where they tested how quickly dye would spread in hot versus cold water.

"I like when we get to do experiments," she says, describing how she discovered that dye spreads faster in hot water because "the particles are moving faster."

Beyond academics, De'Aria has big dreams for her future. "I probably want to be a doctor that works with kids," she says, noting that she even dressed as a pediatrician for Halloween. But that's not her only aspiration. With equal enthusiasm, she adds, "Or I want to just be in the NFL," specifically as a quarterback for her favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

When asked about Dean Blissett, De'Aria's response reflects the values of the program she represents: "Mr. Blissett is nice and funny and kind."

This sentiment seems to capture the essence of Cairo Elementary's EKG program—creating a community where empathy, kindness, and gratitude are not just words but values that students like De'Aria embody every day. Whether she becomes a pediatrician, an NFL quarterback, or follows another path entirely, De'Aria Jones is already learning the importance of character alongside academics.

As Dean Blissett remarked when hearing about De'Aria's NFL quarterback dreams, "All things are possible." With her positive attitude, strong academic performance, and the values she's developing through the EKG program, De'Aria Jones is certainly proving that to be true.