It’s not every day that an entire high school’s administration, staff and student body are in on one big secret. But leave it to Jena High School to find a way.
Army National Guard SFC Jonathan Scott had been stationed in the Middle East since June of 2023 and it was finally time to come home to his family. During the last ten months, SFC Scott and his wife and children have only been able to speak through calls and Facetime.
Though he and his wife De’Errika Scott had planned to surprise their boys with his arrival on Thursday, April 25, De’Errika’s coworkers at Jena High School had other plans.
De’Errika, LCSW, works in the Health Center at Jena High School. On Wednesday, April 24, what she assumed would be a normal day at work would turn out to be a day she’d never forget.
“Taylor Allen came in the breakroom and told me they were having a virtual pep rally in the gym for the softball team,” De’Errika shared. “So, I was going to chart but she and Summer Pruett convinced me to go.”
Little did she know that prior to the “virtual pep rally,” Lici Powell had prepared the entire student body for the surprise.
“I’m going to invite all former JHS cheerleaders and dance line members to come help with Two-Bits, so Mrs. D will come to the court. During Two-Bits, when we say ‘all for the Giants, stand up and holler,’ I want you to hold up your signs!” Powell instructed.
The signs were individual sheets of paper that spelled out “Surprise Mrs. D! Thank You and Welcome Home SFC Scott.”
The students held up their signs with perfect timing and while De’Errika was just registering what they read, SFC Scott appeared behind her.
Once she saw her two young sons run across the court to someone behind her, she turned around to see her husband.
The Scott family had quite the reunion to the cheers of JHS students and staff. The Scott’s two sons were brought from Good Pine Middle School for the surprise and one of SFC Scott’s daughters came down from Shreveport to welcome her father home.
Though she couldn’t believe her husband, family and coworkers had kept such a secret from her, De’Errika was overwhelmed with gratitude for the surprise.
“I do thank every one of you for the role you played yesterday!” De’Errika said. “Sometimes God gives us confirmation in the most unexpected ways. Yesterday was exactly that and it was perfect.”
