A date to remember

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the photo of Jim Jones, Newcastle High School class of 1968, and his granddaughter, Keyla Jones, during the street dance at the NHS All-School Reunion the weekend of July 2-4 illustrates just one of the opportunities for memories the event provides, not just for alumni but for families and friends.
Keyla, 9-year-old daughter of NHS grad Josh Jones, has been visiting Newcastle since she was born and dancing with her grandpa almost as long, but as a resident of Tucson, Ariz., the young girl had never been to a street dance. The 20th high school reunion of her father’s class provided the perfect opportunity for Keyla and her grandpa to dance under the stars, and the duo did just that. 
“It was really fun. We only missed like two dances because we needed water,” she said. “I have always danced with Grandpa.” 
Dancing is something Jim has done with Keyla since she was just a baby, holding her against his chest and twirling around the dance floor. This time, though, the occasion was a little more special and the pair dressed to impress. 
“It was like a date. I put on makeup and that dress. Grandpa got dressed up just for me,” Keyla said. “It was really kind. It made me feel good that he did that just for me.” 
Jim chuckled as he recalled telling Keyla that they were both overdressed for the downtown event, but neither cared as they sang songs and spun each other around the dance floor. 
“The best thing about dancing with Grandpa is he teaches me new dances. That night I learned a new one and did good,” she said, noting that her first street dance was a night she will always remember. 
“I just have that bond with her, and it warms my heart,” he said. “The first time I twirled her I was apprehensive. Having people there watching us dance, that was back in 2015 at a pumpkin patch in Tucson. That was the first time we danced in public.” 
Since then, the grandpa and his granddaughter have taken every opportunity they can to hold each other close and enjoy the music. 
The reunion provided not only the perfect evening for the pair to enjoy but also a whole weekend full of events that the family enjoyed together. Susan, Jim’s wife, and Jim, accompanied by their son Josh, class of 2000, and daughter-in-law, Lyndee, introduced both Keyla and her brother, Ryler, to friends they have known forever, showed them their old stomping grounds and shared local history. 
“My grandson said by the time the weekend was over that everyone knows Jim Jones,” Jim said. 
Susan said that Keyla joined her at the teacher social, meeting her old coworkers and students. She said that was something she will always hold close to her heart, having the opportunity to share that part of her life with her grandkids. 
“It was just a wonderful time, to be able to interact with the grandkids like that,” both Jim and Susan said. 
And Keyla was just happy to be back in Newcastle, with her grandparents and parents, in the place her father had called home for so long. 
“My favorite part about the weekend was coming back in general. We hadn’t been there in a long time. It was really good to be there in the fresh air and all the green. And that breeze, it was just gorgeous,” she said.